Updated September 17, 2023

Whether you’re exploring Tokyo or finding inner zen in Kyoto, solo travel in Japan is rewarding and exciting. Here’s a guide to everything you need to know before your solo trip including where to visit, the best places to stay, safety concerns, and tips for solo female travelers.

There are tons of great lodging options for solo travelers

Accommodation in Japan is ideal for solo travelers. Given the country’s high volume of business travel, Japan offers a wealth of single-traveler hotel rooms and hostels at every price point. Additionally, there are gender-exclusive hostels for women, and if you’re staying in Tokyo or another big city, you can opt for a capsule hotel—where you sleep in a personal, cozy pod. This is another great option for solo female travelers.

The list of activities is endless, even if you’re by yourself

Whichever city or region you’re traveling to, the must-do-in-Japan list is endless. Want to spend the night at a Buddhist temple in Kyoto? Go ahead. Interest in Japanese art? You must visit Shibuya and explore the Seibu Shibuya Museum. Want some unique things to do in Tokyo? Soak in an onsen (a communal hot spring bath) or find some crazy adventures in the Shibuya neighborhood. Japan is super safe for solo travelers, so it’s all possible. And speaking of which…

Japan is ridiculously safe for solo travel

Japan is incredibly safe. As of 2018, it was named the ninth-safest country in the world by the Global Peace Index! With that said, take the same precautions you would anywhere. Keep an eye on your stuff, don’t accept drinks from strangers, and (especially if you’re a woman traveling solo) take the following precautions:

Female travelers love Japan, but consider these precautions

Japan is super female-friendly, even in large cities like Tokyo. You’ll find women out and about, walking, traveling, and eating alone without any worry. Just remember: Japan sometimes has issues with sexual harassment (like everywhere else), but in Japan, there are more options available to deal with it. There are female-only train cars almost everywhere; there are female-only hotels, and there are harsh laws against sexual impropriety—so you can always go to the police if someone is making you uncomfortable.

Transportation is easy, even if you’re alone

Although there is Uber in Japan, it’s not exactly popular and can get a bit pricey. But don’t worry—cabs are very reputable and ubiquitous in major cities. If you’re going from city to city, the best way to get around Japan is by purchasing a JR pass before you fly to Japan. This allows you to travel on all national trains, the Yamanote line in Tokyo, and more. The subways in Tokyo are also super efficient, reliable, and easy to navigate for foreigners.

Japan is full of great places for solo travelers to visit

Choosing where you want to travel is probably the most exciting part of planning a trip to Japan. With so many great things to do in Japan, though, it’s hard to narrow down the best for solo travel. Here are our recommendations for the best Japanese cities to travel by yourself.

Tokyo: You can’t go wrong visiting one of the largest and most impressive cities in the world. Located in the southern Kanto region, Tokyo is positioned in the center of the Japanese archipelago. We recommend staying at least one week in Tokyo, though you’ll probably want to stay much longer. From shopping to sumo wrestlers to day trips to Mount Fuji, there are so many things to do in Tokyo you’ll never get bored. You can play real-life Mario Kart through the streets. Enough said.

• Osaka: Located in the Kansai region in southern-central Japan, Osaka is one of the more casual cities in Japan and is known as a foodie’s paradise. In Osaka, you can step out of your comfort zone and munch on some takoyaki (octopus balls) or some fugu (puffer fish) in the food district of Dotonbori (which is also known for crazy beautiful sunsets). Outside of food, there’s plenty of stuff to do in Osaka, like visiting Minoo National Park’s bamboo forest or admiring the iconic Osaka Castle.
• Kyoto: If you’re craving serene shrines and stunning scenery, add Kyoto to your Japan itinerary. Kyoto is also in the Kansai region, just northeast of Osaka. Trust us when we say fighting the crowds at the Kiyomizu-Dera temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is absolutely worth it. The temple was built on the corner of a hilltop in 1633 without using a single nail! Kyoto is also great for those willing to go out and explore as there are many must-see day trips from Kyoto right at your fingertips.