Has anyone travelled to Japan by themselves?

[Resilient]

I have always wanted to go to Japan, but I don't have anyone to go with. Is this doable solo and as an inexperienced traveller? I've never travelled by myself in my life.

I believe the country would be safe. I don't speak alot of Japanese though, so I'm not sure how well I would get by. Can I go and meet other English speakers and enjoy it?

 

[vanperb]

I have always wanted to go to Japan, but I don't have anyone to go with. Is this doable solo and as an inexperienced traveller? I've never travelled by myself in my life.

I believe the country would be safe. I don't speak alot of Japanese though, so I'm not sure how well I would get by. Can I go and meet other English speakers and enjoy it?

It is as far as I am concerned, the safest and most accessible country for English speakers. Their entire society is built around being helpful and courteous to a fault. It's a kind of place you would let your 6 year old child travel across town to pickup groceries, and trust strangers on a bus to guide them to their destination. Almost everything has English translations, and the purchasing pattern for things are easy to adapt. Most restaurants have display windows of their food with prices. Tourism spots are brimming with tourists and helpful signs. Public transit is incredibly accessible in every city and across cities. Credit cards are readily accepted anywhere except maybe truly rural areas. Data plans are incredibly easy to obtain at the airport or even before plan boarding with eSims. Google Maps and Google Translate, and Google Lens will have you covered for most of your situation. As a tourist I would recommend it as a first time destination over any destination, this includes all of Europe, and North America (especially Vancouver).

Oh, and with the exception of hostess clubs, and a few recruiting bars, the odds of being scammed are so low. You almost have to put effort into being pick-pocketed, taken for a ride, or straight up violenced / murdered.

My only concern would be coming back to Vancouver, and being shocked at what a shitty situation we live in.

 

[vanperb]

How helpful are people in Japan?

 

[JulBa]

i did. and i pooned there.
I met an SP that caters to foreigners.

 

[JulBa]

It is as far as I am concerned, the safest and most accessible country for English speakers. Their entire society is built around being helpful and courteous to a fault. It's a kind of place you would let your 6 year old child travel across town to pickup groceries, and trust strangers on a bus to guide them to their destination. Almost everything has English translations, and the purchasing pattern for things are easy to adapt. Most restaurants have display windows of their food with prices. Tourism spots are brimming with tourists and helpful signs. Public transit is incredibly accessible in every city and across cities. Credit cards are readily accepted anywhere except maybe truly rural areas. Data plans are incredibly easy to obtain at the airport or even before plan boarding with eSims. Google Maps and Google Translate, and Google Lens will have you covered for most of your situation. As a tourist I would recommend it as a first time destination over any destination, this includes all of Europe, and North America (especially Vancouver).

Oh, and with the exception of hostess clubs, and a few recruiting bars, the odds of being scammed are so low. You almost have to put effort into being pick-pocketed, taken for a ride, or straight up violenced / murdered.

My only concern would be coming back to Vancouver, and being shocked at what a shitty situation we live in.

ive been to japan many times and i like the vancouver's friendliness more than the japanese. Japanese are more polite and helpful, but canadians are more approachable and bubbly.

i love the no tipping culture of japan though. Fucking tired of tipping $2 for a $6 subway sandwich

 

[take8easy]

One of the loveliest places on the earth. Great people, very courteous and polite. The things run smoothly and punctually.
I don't know the pooning side of it though. I had a long layover in Tokyo and did some research. I got the impression that the brothels aren't too keen on serving non-Japanese people.

Good Luck!

 

[Resilient]

One of the loveliest places on the earth. Great people, very courteous and polite. The things run smoothly and punctually.
I don't know the pooning side of it though. I had a long layover in Tokyo and did some research. I got the impression that the brothels aren't too keen on serving non-Japanese people.

Good Luck!

Thanks for the input. Ya a traveller buddy of mine said that the SPs are sort of hidden behind a wall away from the tourists. So ya that could be an issue if I wanted to partake. Especially as an inexperienced traveller.

 

[giddyup]

Love Japan. I've been to Tokyo and Kyoto. Thinking of going back to both of those next year plus adding some time in Osaka.
Any tips from anyone who has been to places other than Tokyo and Kyoto re what they really liked? (this isn't even a pooning question, just a travel question )

 

[nan]

Love Japan. I've been to Tokyo and Kyoto. Thinking of going back to both of those next year plus adding some time in Osaka.
Any tips from anyone who has been to places other than Tokyo and Kyoto re what they really liked? (this isn't even a pooning question, just a travel question )

I'd recommend spending an overnight at least at a hotel near Mount Fuji area that has an onsen. It's the best way to relax with an amazing view assuming the weather is clear.

 

[capaq]

I hear their ski resorts are well-prepared for English speakers because Aussies go there in search of better snow, like places that hosted winter Olympics in the past (Sapporo, Nagano).

Mt Fuji is relatively close to Tokyo. In fact you can see it in the distance if you are landing at Haneda airport. There's another slightly bigger but remote Narita airport. Both are serviced by Air Canada.

Also, I remember seeing some posts in Terb's international section giving insight into Osaka's scene.

 

[80watts]

Research is key.
Take into account season. Temperature and weather conditions.
The big impression I got about Japan is to go out at night (past dark), see the neon signs and just the general mass of humanity that are on the city streets... Due to its population size; seeing tourist places (temples, parks, forests, gardens), always lots of people around you. It is hard to find quiet places in cities, but easier in rural areas.
Check Japanese history for waring clans periods, see the ruins of family castles that lost in the clan wars... Although most of Japan is classless, there still are some families that are of the noble class.
Pls note that in Asia there are some areas of certain countries that are very racist towards each other and white people/westerners. Pls note that Japanese are not well liked in China, Korea and some other countries they invaded in WW2. And that was over 75 years ago.

 

[masterblaster]

Research is key.
Take into account season. Temperature and weather conditions.
The big impression I got about Japan is to go out at night (past dark), see the neon signs and just the general mass of humanity that are on the city streets... Due to its population size; seeing tourist places (temples, parks, forests, gardens), always lots of people around you. It is hard to find quiet places in cities, but easier in rural areas.
Check Japanese history for waring clans periods, see the ruins of family castles that lost in the clan wars... Although most of Japan is classless, there still are some families that are of the noble class.
Pls note that in Asia there are some areas of certain countries that are very racist towards each other and white people/westerners. Pls note that Japanese are not well liked in China, Korea and some other countries they invaded in WW2. And that was over 75 years ago.

The Japanese army killed Chinese civilians by the hundreds of thousands prior to and during WW.II small wonder they’re not well liked.

 

[Bang4thebuck]

Very easy country to travel. Download a translation app and dictionary just in case, Google translate can also do a very rough translation of text using a camera, but if you don't venture too far off the path you can get by on just English. Never had any issues there in regard to safety or anything. It is a very safe and clean country. Love it, been there several times.

 

[emacky]

I went before Covid and it was totally safe. japan sells really high quality translation apps that work better than Google translate.

Do your research, many things have changed over the years due to financial constraints. The JR Rail pass isn't what it use to be and might not be worth it. If you're going to explore Tokyo try to limit it to one district a day there's too much to see and do.

There are a lot of popular items that require reservations depending how big of an anime weeb you are. Be respectful, Japanese people are very polite but they're very passive aggressive type of polite.

I did spend some time in the red light districts in Tokyo and Osaka when I went and it was quite easy to navigate with the internet. Good resource is Tokyo Night Styles, they have an X profile and is basically a blog. The Hentai Club is pretty good in Shibuya

 

[ChrisAYC]

I travelled to Japan last year (April) with a few friends. But from what I saw/experience, you can totally travel Japan solo. Pro of going solo is you can poon and no will ever know....

I would say Japan is one of the easiest/safest non-english speaking countries to travel solo. But, as in any foreign country never let you guard down and pay attention to your surroundings.
I don't speak much Japanese either, the little I know is from watching anime lol. But most Japanese seems to understand a little bit of English and almost all of them have a translator app on their phone. There's also SO MANY tourist and most speak English, so you always ask them for directions.

As someone mentioned before, JR Pass isn't worth it anymore. We didn't get it ourselves and this was before the insane price hikes. Just pay the regular JR line + Shinkansen fee, prices might very similar in the end.

Now here's a tip to navigate the Japan Metro (Tokyo/Osaka). There's a distinction between Metro and Subway in Japanese Metro rails. There's also the local rail system, separate from the JR Lines. If u know the different between these three then you won't get lost. I can't tell u the times we stood on the wrong train platform because we didn't know the different between the Metro and Subway. But if u get lost and need directions the Help Desk Officer speaks fluent English.

Main cities to visits are of course:
-Tokyo and Osaka: Big City feel, lots of nightlife, red light districts etc. Self-Explanatory. Stay in the main city don't stay at nearby city to save money. Not worth it. Commute will eat a lot of your time.

-Kyoto & Nara: Historic capitals, lots of historic sites, temples, castles, museums. Feels like a old Chinese city. Don't stay in Nara, take the train from Osaka or Kyoto. Since its only a 40 min ride and Nara is a small city. Perfect for a day trip. Must do: Feed the Deer + Visit the Temples/Gardens

-For the honsen we when to Hakone. Stay two nights. Trust me on this one.

Visit around March/April time. Weather is perfect, not to cold not to hot. Sakura Season. Try to visit before Golden Week (gets crazy I heard).
Summers in Japan are too hot. But if u wanna climb Fuji. Then u have to go on the Summer since its the only time Fuji is open.
Winter in Japan sucks, too much snow or rain. Stay away.

 

[2ndAccount]

OSAKA Pooning
Here’s what I know
- Red Light District is called “Tobita Shinchi”
- 3 to 5 different streets each with their own “theme” or type of girl
“Many of them happily cater to foreigners
- You get a lollipop after to show you’re finished so other shops don’t beckon you to come in.

What I’m unable to find out is the PRICE? Does anyone about there know the cost to poon there??

 

[emacky]

OSAKA Pooning
Here’s what I know
- Red Light District is called “Tobita Shinchi”
- 3 to 5 different streets each with their own “theme” or type of girl
“Many of them happily cater to foreigners
- You get a lollipop after to show you’re finished so other shops don’t beckon you to come in.

What I’m unable to find out is the PRICE? Does anyone about there know the cost to poon there??

I went to Matsushima Shinchi district. Much quieter than tobita Shinichi. Also I heard Tobita Shinichi doesn't all have shower facilities. I think 12,000 yen at the time, they have a board that list their pricing

Here's my original post
https://perb.cc/xenforo/threads/trip-to-japan.251170/#post-1875660

 

[2ndAccount]

I went to Matsushima Shinchi district. Much quieter than tobita Shinichi. Also I heard Tobita Shinichi doesn't all have shower facilities. I think 12,000 yen at the time, they have a board that list their pricing

Here's my original post
https://perb.cc/xenforo/threads/trip-to-japan.251170/#post-1875660

Thanks for the tips!

 

[2ndAccount]

I went to Matsushima Shinchi district. Much quieter than tobita Shinichi. Also I heard Tobita Shinichi doesn't all have shower facilities. I think 12,000 yen at the time, they have a board that list their pricing

Here's my original post
https://perb.cc/xenforo/threads/trip-to-japan.251170/#post-1875660

Thank you for the info!
12000Y in 2018…. Dammit. It would have likely doubled by now.

 

[1901]

Thank you for the info!
12000Y in 2018…. Dammit. It would have likely doubled by now.

Maybe not. Not much inflation in Japan until recently.