10 Expert Reasons Why Japan is Fantastic for Solo Travel

Why Japan is fantastic for solo female travel! There are so many reasons why Japan is a fantastic destination for solo female travel! Japan has been on my bucket list for a long time, and I have had the privilege of visiting Japan twice.

Is Japan your dream destination, but are you unsure if it’s the best place to visit as a solo female traveller? I will explain all the reasons why I think Japan is a great destination for women who travel alone.

I planned my trip to Japan at the very last minute. I’ll be honest. I let Google worry me about whether Japan would be a good country to travel alone. But that was all fairly exaggerated. As a solo traveller by heart, I realised that even if Japan is your first solo trip, you will still have a great time!

You need to know a few things to make your trip as smooth as possible!

1. Japan is safe for solo female travellers

Japan is one of the safest countries in the world! I’ve travelled to countless countries, but there are only a few destinations (Japan, South Korea, Singapore, and most of Thailand, especially Chiang Mai) where I feel perfectly safe as a woman travelling alone.

And when do I mean by safe? It means I could leave my phone on the table in a restaurant, and nobody would steal it! It means not having to leave my jewellery at home or only taking taxis after sunset.

Japan is one of those countries. While there are certain things you need to pay attention to, practising basic safety measures you do at home is enough in Japan. You can easily walk around after sunset because many people are always on the streets.

Crime rates in Japan are very low. That doesn’t mean that nothing ever happens. The Japanese are still people, and there are bad people everywhere. 

Some trains have carts that are dedicated to women only after a certain time. There were events where men would “rub up” against women on busy trains and subways. So, as you can see, there are some things to pay attention to.

But still, Japan is a very safe country for women travelling alone.

2. Japan is solo people friendly

Japan, as a country in general, is very solo people-minded, which is why it is excellent for solo female travel. I didn’t know this at all when I first came to Japan!

All restaurants have counter or bar seats, which is perfect for solo travellers. I’ve seen so many locals eating and drinking by themselves. There are even yakiniku (Japanese BBQ) places for solo people or standing food bars.

One of the questions I get is, “How do you eat alone?” Well, in Japan, eating alone is normal, so you have nothing to worry about. And if you’re alone, there’s always room for one person, which, in my experience, goes much quicker than waiting for a table for more people!

Japan also offers great accommodation options for single travellers, such as capsule hotels or 1 person rooms.

3. Japanese hospitality is fantastic

Japan is known for its hospitality and helpful locals who are always ready to assist you. While I was travelling in Japan, there were a few times when I was lost or confused, mostly when I was finding my way or using public transport.

I didn’t even have to ask for help. Both times, someone approached me and asked me if I was okay and needed help. Even with the little English people know, they still did their best to help me by showing me the way.

In many countries, people are really to themselves and don’t care about others; I found the Japanese very helpful if you need it!

Respect is very important in Japan, so with respect, you’ll also experience Japanese hospitality. 

4. Japan is a unique cultural experience

When you visit Japan, you’ll see the country is diverse! You must have read up about Japan by now. From a bustling city like Tokyo to the beautiful, traditional but busy Kyoto to the best food tours in Osaka to enjoying the best views of Mount Fuji.

From historic temples, traditional tea ceremonies, stunning cityscapes, and technological wonders, Japan offers something for every explorer. A big reason why Japan is great for solo female travel!

Tokyo is so big that exploring the entire city would take at least a week. But it has everything you’d want in a city. From the busy neon lights in Shinjuku and Shibuya to the quieter Asakusa and Ginza. 

You can party until the sun comes up in Shinjuku and then find peace for your hangover in the beautiful Ueno Park.

5. Japan’s language barrier is exaggerated

I was warned about the language barrier when planning my trip to Japan. While this didn’t worry me, as a solo traveller by heart, I mean, there is always Google Translate.

But finally, getting to Japan made me realize it was all fairly exaggerated. Not everybody speaks English, but most people do in the main cities like Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto.

Even if they don’t speak English, they’re used to tourists. My Uber driver didn’t speak English well. But he was prepared for tourists! Even though he didn’t have to communicate with me, he tried to do so through a translation app. It was the sweetest!

Most signs in the main cities are in English (even in Korean and Mandarin), and restaurants also have English menus. You’ll probably already see signs saying “English OK,” meaning they have English menus or welcome tourists!

Many solo travellers feel the language barrier would be a reason to skip Japan for solo female travel. But believe me, the language barrier is nothing to worry about!

6. Japan has excellent public transport

Travelling solo mostly means relying on public transport to get around! While taxis are widely available, I don’t recommend them in Tokyo since they are expensive.

Public transport in Japan is fantastic. The trains and subways connect very well and are reliable. The bullet trains connecting all the cities can be expensive, but they are fast, clean, safe, and punctual.

All the subways are frequent and safe! They’re not complicated to use if you know how to navigate public transport in Japan, and they’re cheap too!

Getting around the city for just a few bucks keeps your budget low as a solo female traveller.

7. Japanese cuisine is exquisite

If someone were to ask me what the best thing about Japan is, it would be Japanese cuisine! I fell in love with Japanese food! While Japan is mostly known for sushi, ramen, and yakitori, there is much more to discover!

The sushi (and I mean proper sushi, not the Westernised sushi we’re used to) and sashimi are out of this world! It’s the best sashimi I’ve ever tasted in my life. It makes my mouth water now, thinking about that delicious sashimi bowl I had in Tokyo.

Indulge in the dishes you already know because they will be much better than you’re used to back home. But be adventurous and try new things; it will blow your mind!

8. Japan is a popular destination

Japan welcomed 25 million tourists in 2023, the largest number since 2019! According to the Japan National Tourism Organization, the number of international visitors to Japan rose more than sixfold.

Japan is booming! Both times I was there, I realized how crowded the tourist sights can get, and it looked like it would get even busier than ever!

I’ve been posting a lot of Japan content on my Instagram, and I even noticed a peak in engagement with my Japan posts! It feels like everyone wants to go to Japan.

Does that make Japan a fantastic destination for solo female travellers? Not per se, but it does help to know if you’re indecisive about whether Japan would be a good country to travel to alone. Well, I think the numbers speak for themselves!

9. The Japanese YEN is weak

Japan, and especially Tokyo, has a reputation for being expensive. While that has been partially true, things have shifted over the last few years!

Tokyo can be as expensive or cheap as any other city. Yes, Japan is certainly not a country as cheap as Thailand, but it’s still much cheaper than the USA or Western Europe.

The Japanese yen is also very weak (April 2024), which means you’ll get more yen for your bucks! This means you’ll be able to buy or do more for the same amount of dollars in Japan as eight years ago!

Japan is cheaper than ever, so Japan is fantastic for solo female travel now!

10. Japan has endless solo things to do

Japan is a solo traveller’s paradise, offering endless things to do, no matter your interests. Explore ancient temples in Kyoto, wander through neon-lit streets in Tokyo, or relax in an onsen in Hakone.

Enjoy solo dining at conveyor belt sushi spots, ramen bars, or themed cafés. Are you into Pokemon? There is a popular Pokemon cafe!

If you love shopping you can shop until you drop in trendy districts like Shibuya and Harajuku. Visit museums, watch a sumo match, or experience a tea ceremony.

There are so many great tours and experiences to look for in Japan! You won’t be bored!

Have I convinced you that Japan is a great destination for women travelling alone? I hope so! I fell in love with the country and would love to explore the unknown Japan the next time!

Japan is safe and affordable, and it offers a unique cultural experience and even better cuisine! Go plan that trip!

If you feel that Japan might be a little too difficult for women travelling alone, I hope I have convinced you why Japan is fantastic for solo female travel.

P.S. If you’re looking for a great two-week solo itinerary to Japan, I’ve crafted one for you!