What To Know Before Solo Travelling In Japan // Tips & Advice

Curious about what it's like to solo travel in Japan?
I receive a lot of questions and DMs about my experience trekking it to Japan alone, so I put together a video of all the common things you need to know before jumping on a plane by yourself!
From choosing single-friendly accomodation and eating out alone, to how to take photos by yourself and my tips on managing stressful situations solo, I hope this video helps any soon-to-be solo travellers!
Have a question I didn't cover? Share it in the comments below and I'd be happy to help!
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// Let's get to know each other!
Blog // www.iwastakenbysurprise.blogsp...
Instagram // / hijessicaanne
Facebook // / takenbysurpriseblog
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// MUSIC
“INSPIRED” by Julian Avila // bit.ly/2U8xXyI
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// EXTRA FUN
My Japan Planning Pinterest Board // bit.ly/2SxP8cZ
Sign up for Airbnb & Get A$55 To Spend On Your First Trip! // bit.ly/2LfbpZO
I Edit My Photos With BeFunky // bit.ly/2oDKLPW
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// hijessicaanne in japan - season two
DAY 1 // First Time Seeing Cherry Blossoms in Tokyo! // • First Time Seeing Cher...
DAY 2 // Getting My Hair Done In Tokyo & Cute Cafes // • Cutting My Hair In Tok...
DAY 3 // Tokyo Apartment Tour & Harajuku Backstreets // • Instagram-Worthy Tokyo...
DAY 4 // The Countryside That Inspired My Neighbour Totoro // • The Countryside That I...
DAY 5 // How I Take Travel Photos Alone & Bento Cooking Class! // • How I Take Travel Phot...
DAY 6 // Tokyo’s Hipster Town Shimokitazawa (LOTS of Cafes!) // • Tokyo’s Hipster Town S...
DAY 7 // Visiting Persona 5 Locations In REAL LIFE! // • Visiting Persona 5 Loc...
DAY 8 // New Friends At Tokyo's KZbin Hanami! // • Getting Out Of My Comf...
DAY 9 // A Night Out In Harajuku & The AVOCADO Cafe?! // • A Night Out In Harajuk...
DAY 10 // A Day Trip To Kyoto! // • A Day Trip To Kyoto & ...
DAY 11 // The "Brooklyn Of Tokyo", Daikanyama! // • The "Brooklyn Of Tokyo...
DAY 12 // Shopping In Harajuku's Takeshita Street! // • Shopping In Harajuku's...
DAY 13 // A Chill Day In Tokyo’s Quiet Neighbourhood, Nakameguro // • A Chill Day In Tokyo's...
DAY 14 // HUGE Japan Beauty, Fashion & Nerdy Haul + My Last Day In Tokyo! // • HUGE Japan Beauty, Fas...
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// hijessicaanne in japan - season one
DAY 1 // Kyoto Apartment Tour & Convenience Store Haul // • KYOTO APARTMENT TOUR &...
DAY 2 // RENTING KIMONOS in Kyoto & Hello Kitty Cafe! // • RENTING KIMONOS in Kyo...
DAY 3 // FEEDING DEER in Nara & HIRING BIKES in Arashiyama's Bamboo Forest! // • FEEDING DEER in Nara &...
DAY 4 // Pressed Flower Nails, TOKYO APARTMENT TOUR & Ichiran Booth Ramen! // • Pressed Flower Nails, ...
DAY 5 // DYING MY HAIR BLUE, Genki Sushi & Trying Japanese BEAUTY DRINKS! // • DYING MY HAIR BLUE, Ge...
DAY 6 // VEGAN CAFE in Tokyo, Kiddyland & Shopping in Omotesando! // • VEGAN CAFE in Tokyo, K...
DAY 7 // First Time at LUSH SPA & Finding POKEMON MAKEUP! // • First Time at LUSH SPA...
DAY 8 // REAL LIFE MARIO KART IN TOKYO & GIANT Cotton Candy in Harajuku! // • REAL LIFE MARIO KART I...
DAY 9 // HEDGEHOG CAFE & Seeing MT FUJI At The Shibazakura Flower Festival! // • HEDGEHOG CAFE & Seeing...
DAY 10 // BEST Souvenir Shopping Spot in Tokyo & Visiting the ELLE CAFE! // • BEST Souvenir Shopping...
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// ABOUT ME
I'm Jess, it is lovely to e-meet you! I'm an online content creator and lover of beauty products, working in digital marketing in Melbourne, Australia.
When I'm not vlogging, you can find me planning my next trip to Tokyo, wandering around with lipstick swatches all across my arms, and liking your photos on Instagram.

[@ThePretzel90]

Really enjoyed this video, I think Japan is the only place I would feel safe traveling around on my own x

[@hijessicaanne]

Heather Barlow thank you so much! I think so too, it’s a really solo travel friendly travel destination ☺️

[@melsalcedo1598]

This video is perfect. I am traveling to Japan solo next month and it's my first time ever going abroad. I am pretty nervous but as you were talking about what to do and how to prepare yourself, I related to it so much! The printing every document, having a plan from getting to the airport to the AIR BNB and having a back up plan in case I miss my first train, and so on. I am introverted so I was able to really take in everything you were saying. Thank you so much! Your video eased me up quite a bit!

[@hijessicaanne]

I am SO happy to hear that this video helped you, thank you so much for taking the time to let me know! Sending you good luck for your trip, I'm sure you'll have a brilliant time ☺️

[@aydinhoffman7751]

How was the trip?

[@xownxit3119]

Aydin Hoffman ....and he never came back lmao

[@swisdom9117]

Any update?

[@rodrigocarballo9372]

heading to Japan by myself in October, How did it go???

[@denisenaomi3712]

I will travel alone to Japan in June. I'm planning my trip by watching your videos and getting inspired what I could do in Tokyo. It is my first time traveling alone and I'm so excited.

[@hijessicaanne]

That makes me so happy! Hope you have a wonderful time on your first solo trip, Japan is such a solo-travel friendly country!

[@vickyantao9016]

I am traveling alone to Japan in November. Is it possible for you to let me know how was your trip?

[@hijessicaanne]

It was so much fun! Japan is super solo-travel friendly, so I absolutely loved it ☺️

[@MrOlilittli]

Did your trip go well :) Can you tell me what your expenses where for about 1 week.

[@danielchaplin1005]

I'm also travelling alone this October/November to Japan! Beyond excited but I do want to meet people, if anyone else wants to meet up in Tokyo for some karaoke or a good feed then lemme know! :D

[@misstrinnie0750]

I love travelling alone. You do whatever you want and go wherever you want. You can always stay in the capsule hotel or hostel if you travelling solo. I can’t wait to go back to Japan and see the Cherry blossoms. Love your videos❤️.

[@hijessicaanne]

Hangry Amina totally agree, it’s such an amazing feeling of freedom! Hope you enjoy your next trip, and thank you for the support! 💕

[@patricemason6009]

I am 20 and this will be my first time overseas and I will be alone! Is it scary traveling in Japan alone? Like getting lost on trains?

[@hijessicaanne]

Have an amazing time!! It's a little nerve-wracking as you have to rely on yourself, but Japan is extremely solo travel friendly :) I recommend downloading the Hyperdia app, it's a great app for public transport journey planning.

[@patricemason6009]

hijessicaanne Thanks so much!

[@kun7288]

@@patricemason6009 omg i am 20 rn and i am going on my first ever trip alone in hopefully july lol hope yours was fun

[@mariamma639]

I love solo traveling! This video is great, can't wait to visit Japan!!

[@hijessicaanne]

Hope you have a wonderful time!

[@rodameibargo6987]

last january, my boyfriend and I went to tokyo & on our last day we ran out of data! luckily, a nice japanese guy on the street told us that every lawson has free wifi, so that really saved us! after that, we downloaded our itinerary and we did stop by to different lawsons just to check if we were going the right way haha

[@hijessicaanne]

Awww Japanese people are so helpful and lovely!!

[@reikiwarrior8888]

that was brilliant really clear and concise xx

[@hijessicaanne]

Thank you so much! 💕

[@scottmcguire3337]

Awesome video! I’m thinking about travelling to Japan from Australia by myself, very handy video!

[@hijessicaanne]

I'm so glad you enjoyed! Hope you have a great time when you go :)

[@akirayama1534]

YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS NEW VIDEO AHHHH

[@hijessicaanne]

The Legend of Alex hahah thank you Alex!! 😂👌🏻

[@khristine16]

i didn't know about that disneyland singles line! very helpful tip for my solo trip next week. thanks! :)

[@hijessicaanne]

Happy to help, hope you're enjoying your travels!!

[@somerandomnam3]

thank you for the info about the pocket wifi. never would have known about it and probably would have been travelling using roaming or trying to find free wifi. this has been awesome and i dont generally comment on peoples videos

[@hijessicaanne]

Merxxx I’m so glad you found it useful! Enjoy your wifi and have a wonderful trip! 😊

[@amyr3285]

Thanks for this video,. I am a little nervous traveling alone, and am trying to get at least one person to come along--not having luck there. I have never tried alone but always met friends or family abroad. So I'm hoping that this year, it won't be much of a problem taking trains anywhere--which is what worries me most. I'm taking some Japanese lessons and hope the lessons will help. I'm introverted too and like the fact that I would be able to do as I please and not have to worry about others to go places.

[@hijessicaanne]

If it helps, the app HYPERDIA is a train planner app that I found super useful for public transport anxiety! It’s in English too :)

[@amyr3285]

@@hijessicaanne Ah--thank you so much! I appreciate that and will look for it for sure. Arigatou gozaimas!

[@minahildanyal8209]

I love your videos! They're so informative! Love from Pakistan!

[@hijessicaanne]

Minahil Danyal thank you so much for the support, I’m glad you enjoy them! ☺️

[@hrafnhildur3063]

This is super handy information! I went with my friends last summer and when I left I immediately started to plan for my next trip there! Another accommodation option would be workaway, or doing some sort of farmstay, that way you don’t have to pay for accommodation and sometimes even food. I’m planning on doing that for a longer period of time, up to a year. It’s a great option if you want something more out of your travel and also works as a cultural/language exchange:)

[@hijessicaanne]

Thank you so much, I'm glad you found it useful! Doing a farmstay in country Japan is definitely on my list, I've been wanting to do one for so long!

[@ImmortalMatcha]

Traveling alone to japan in april and im excited!!!

[@DianaPuspasariYT]

I'm going again later this year 💃💃💃 might have to re-watch all your Japan vlogs 😂

[@hijessicaanne]

Yay!! Have a lovely time, hope you find some new places to explore ☺️

[@eimbored7136]

I'm overcautious, but right now I'm mainly excited, and I'm planning a months trip for 2023

[@chubbieminami3274]

Great video!! I think traveling alone makes you really understand the culture of a country. I am a Japanese female who lived in the U.S., Europe, and worked in Korea. Japan is the safest country for female solo travelers. You might even see elementary school kids on train traveling solo. However, when you are young, there might be perverts following you or showing off their junk around midnight where people are not around. They are usually harmless but you never know. In the big cities, you will always see other female solo walkers at night, so it should be fine. I go everywhere alone and I have NEVER felt scared in Japan. The only time I was scared was when I was scared of bears or monkeys in the mountains alone. In the U.S. I remember being scared to death walking back to an empty parking lot. In Europe, bad people try to rob you, trick you or scam you. That is non-existent in Japan as well. I have been on a taxi in Korea and the driver touched my knee as I was paying. Scary... Taxi drivers in Japan could be impolite but they have never been perverts... so far.

[@theadee18]

Super informative!

[@hijessicaanne]

Thea Dee happy to hear, thank you!

[@rjjames3027]

Single lines really save a lot of time for us me and my brother use a single line and pretend we don't know each other haha

[@hijessicaanne]

Rj James hahaha single lines are so good!!

[@shizus.3751]

I'm going to travel solo to Japan this year and i'm sooo excited! Thank you for sharing ^^

[@hijessicaanne]

I'm glad you found it helpful! Have a fun trip! :)

[@DJSparkyPlug]

I'm gonna solo travel to Japan this year as well, when you going btw? ^-^

[@shizus.3751]

@@DJSparkyPlug around christmas until early jan!

[@KanishkaASilentObserver]

Noting, noted.😋❤️

[@little_emjei]

I feel like a child because not only have I never, ever been to a different country, before...but also, I know NOTHING about anything that has to do with traveling by airplane or a train. I never grew up in a city, so...me thinks I'm going to barely make it in life xD! Honestly, I wish you could take me with you to Japan, Jessica, because as far as I know, nobody but me in my family wants to visit Japan...and I don't wanna go alone on my first trip xD! I also don't have any friends that I actually know, so there's also that.... My life's a sad mess, lol. Still looking forward to season 3 of your Japan vlogs :)! I've been kinda binge-watching your other Japan vlogs, just preparing myself xD.

[@hijessicaanne]

musicheart_1996 thank you for sharing this with me, I hope I can keep making videos to share my journey and that one day, your dream becomes a reality and you’ll be living these videos too ❤️

[@reikiwarrior8888]

im a total loner too and introvert but I'm definetley going to japan with or without anyone

[@akii423]

I'm also in the same spot if any one wants to join to plan a trip to Japan if you don't mind count me in

[@akii423]

@@reikiwarrior8888 that's the spirit

[@kun7288]

I’m in literally the exact same predicament…a lot of the places i want to go like tokyo disney resort or cafes just feel incomplete to me without someone else😭 but I don’t want to beg to people to go to japan with me so im preparing myself for solo travel as much as i can

[@bulkoneeto662]

I’m planing to travel to Japan in 2022 thanks for the tips and guides

[@hijessicaanne]

I’m glad you found it useful! Hope you have a great trip 😁

[@unironic1184]

Planning on the same time. 2022 march

[@syarina]

omg i know how it feels about the code! hahah it happened to me when i first went to japan. thank you for your video. usually i will travel with my sisters, but because all of them are married, some not in good condition, looks like i have no choice but to travel alone. i dont like travel with anyone else other than my family. i'd rather travel alone.lol.

[@hijessicaanne]

I'm glad you found it useful! I hope your solo trip is wonderful when you're able to go, and that your sibling's situation improves!

[@nataliepriddle9909]

Can't wait for your next Japan series :)

[@hijessicaanne]

Natalie Priddle thank you so much! Planning it all now, can’t wait to share ☺️

[@eiimapinkylicious2230]

Hi dear. I am planning of going to japan next year, solo. Do you mind sharing with me your itinerary ? Thank you

[@jorgesarabia8779]

I am going for 3 months to japan I will be there for 3 momths and on my first day I am traveling from narita to monbetsu, if anyone has any tips please let me know. I am freaking out because of what i am doing because i am staying ag a farm with wwoof, all advices will be appreciated

[@zephricus2089]

It kinda sucks that I have to watch this because none of the people I know have the money to travel with me. Most people my age suck at handling money and saving up for stuff.

[@jonathanwahchai4350]

That’s not count as solo, you literally have friends and been there before 🤦🏼‍♂️

[@Unknown-ej6np]

anyone looking for a travel partner?

[@shwetarasal3294]

I am planning to travel Japan , I am looking for female partner

[@mollymo6229]

Often you have travel assurance with your bank free of charge or with my travel bank card so I never buy those overprice sevices

[@samdevon8118]

Do you think it's a good idea to travel to Japan solo as a first trip overseas? I really want to go to Japan, but I have no one to go with!

[@hijessicaanne]

Sam Devon I highly recommend Japan as a solo travel country! If it’s the first trip overseas, there may be some culture shock, so I’d suggest booking a day tour in your trip so you can meet some other travellers as well. If you stay in an Airbnb, my experience with hosts answering questions on my trip has been really positive as well, so they can also form a bit of a support network ☺️

[@laizabasto]

Hi! I'm planning my first solo trip to Japan and I wondered if you ever considered hiring a private tour guide?

[@hijessicaanne]

Laiza Basto that’s so exciting! I’ve booked Airbnb experiences in the past, where a local took me and a few other travellers on a hike around the Tokyo countryside, which was amazing! I stay away from tours though as they’re usually expensive and I prefer travelling to my own timetable ☺️

[@laizabasto]

@@hijessicaanne Cool! I plan on traveling to Kyoto. I have not traveled much so this will be by far the scariest thing I've done. Do you mind helping me with how to book Airbnb experiences?

[@hijessicaanne]

Happy to! Here's the link to Airbnb Experiences in Kyoto ☺️bit.ly/2Z6l6zB

[@jbaby007]

Could you please provide what travel insurance you used?

[@hijessicaanne]

Sure! I bought my travel insurance through RACV, which is local to Victoria, Australia ☺️

[@BBQDamie]

I have a question, I'm going to be in a hotel alone particularly APA hotel can I bring a friend up to my hotel...or will I get kicked out??

[@hijessicaanne]

I think it's fine as it's a hotel - Airbnbs are usually strict on unknown guests - but if you're concerned, I'd ask their management first 😊

[@DiepSpartan119]

I don’t like going tourists it’s so expensive and hate following the groups cause they have limited time and go back to the bus

[@hijessicaanne]

I'm not a fan of tours either, I prefer the freedom of travelling on my own plans!

[@DiepSpartan119]

hijessicaanne yeah same here

[@malou17]

i'm planning on not joining tours

[@DiepSpartan119]

Maria Lourdes Go same thats what i like to plan to go somewhere in tokyo without tourists

[@DioSuonatore]

What about as a woman, going to izakayas at night alone? I want to visit izakayas and little clubs all night.. but no one to go with

[@hijessicaanne]

S。 I really wanted to visit izakayas but felt too shy to give it a go at the time as they’re very small, local restaurants and I didn’t want to feel like I was ‘intruding’. But it’s definitely something I want to try someday when I have more confidence!

[@DioSuonatore]

hijessicaanne thank you for replying!!! I will just be safe, not drink a lot and take a taxi back. I hope you will be able to try it !! I love your videos too so much

[@nowgaku]

ジェス、又帰ってきてね。

[@hijessicaanne]

nowgaku もちろん！

[@mollymo6229]

Moral of the story was also screenshot your emails map or whatever

[@RyobiUeharaVT]

This is exactly what I was thinking. Lol

[@satan9600]

Im goin in November solo anyone want to meet up in Japan

[@JapanZeit]

You look like Kalel :D

[@bubbaguu5921]

Will my phone data not work in Japan or something?

[@hijessicaanne]

It depends on your phone plan, but usually using your mobile data in another country (data roaming) is super expensive! I’d check your phone plan just to be safe.

[@bubbaguu5921]

@@hijessicaanne I looked at it. I wouldn’t get any data in Japan. I’ll just have to get one of those Wi-Fi box things when I’m there

[@Marinea_es]

Awesome video! I absolutly enjoy it. Keep on like this and have a peek at mine if you feel like it. =)