- After losing out on a job, Erica Hobbs booked a 24-day trip to Japan.
- The November vacation was planned last minute, so she ended up traveling solo.
- Reflecting on her past experience, she wishes she had booked transport ahead of time and chosen to lodge in more hostels instead.
In November, after three months of interviews, I lost out on a job and decided it was time for a travel break. I set out on a 3
½-
week
trip to Japan
.
The timing worked out — the favorable
dollar-to-yen exchange rate
, mild weather, and vibrant autumn foliage made it a great time to visit.
Given the limited time to search for a travel partner, I welcomed the independence of going alone and the flexibility to decide spontaneously. As I had previously journeyed solo, I believed I was capable of handling things as they came.
trip to Japan
proved to be more difficult than expected.
My journey involved visiting the “golden triangle” region.
Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka
, including excursions to nearby locations like Nikko, Mount Fuji, Nara, and Himeji. The itinerary also encompassed stops at Hiroshima and Miyajima Island along with a week exploring central Japan.
The trip cost about $3,400, not including the airfare, which I paid for with credit-card points. As a
cost-conscious backpacker
I opted for staying in pod hotels or hostels and usually dined on street food, items from convenience stores, or noodle dishes at ramen shops.
The largest part of my expenses went towards lodging, amounting to over $915 for staying 24 nights. Ground travel also accumulated significantly. Although local trains were quite cheap, train ticket costs still piled up.
Shinkansen bullet train
They were pricey. The journey from Tokyo to Toyama cost me the most at around $100, followed by Hiroshima to Osaka which was approximately $70, and finally Osaka back to Tokyo costing roughly $90.
A few indulgences included attending a kimono tea ceremony, a
Kobe steak
dinner, and visits to a handful of themed cafés.
Although I enjoyed the journey, there are three aspects I would have changed.
1. Increased preparation prior to the journey
I concentrated my preliminary investigation on locations and experiences rather than logistical details. Apart from arranging the initial couple of things, I did not make reservations ahead of time.
days in Tokyo
This resulted in a disorganized and ineffective journey filled with skipped trains, forfeited chances, and avoidable tension.
I had heard that Japan attracts many visitors during autumn, yet it turned out to be even more crowded than I anticipated, making it challenging to secure affordable lodging at short notice. Numerous well-known sites, such as
Tokyo’s Ghibli Museum
Moreover, the Ninja Tokyo restaurant was reserved beforehand. Various locations across the nation, such as Osaka’s Nintendo Museum, were also included.
ryokans
— Traditional Japanese ryokans — were also fully booked soon.
I was fortunate enough during the tea ceremony — an added bonus.
solo traveling
—but I really wished I had booked them in advance since I couldn’t get into some of them.
I too should have made reservations beforehand using platforms that offer free cancellations. That way, I could guarantee my place to stay and still maintain the option to alter my arrangements later.
For travel arrangements, I would have arranged my transport.
IC card
When I reached the airport, I encountered these cards—Suica, Pasmo, and Icoca—which function as prepaid options for seamless transit across various public transport networks within major urban centers. Following a lengthy 13-hour journey, I hurriedly made my way to check into my accommodation. However, obtaining one of those cards turned out to be more challenging post-flight; they could typically only be found in bigger railway hubs and weren’t always readily accessible elsewhere.
2. Chose hostels over capsule hotels
A lot of folks believe that traveling alone means doing everything by yourself. However, what I enjoy most is meeting new individuals during these trips. Hostels typically provide a great environment for socializing, so I expected similar experiences elsewhere.
capsule hotels
Instead, I discovered that the pod hotels—although wonderfully serene and spa-like—were far less sociable. Additionally, many of the guests staying there were local travelers who did not speak English.
However, I quickly became friends with people at the hostels where I stayed.
Hiroshima
, we had an amazing time exploring Miyajima Island as a group of seven throughout the day, even tackling a mountain I probably wouldn’t have gone up solo. If I had begun my journey staying at hostels, I might’ve met traveling companions sooner.
3. Dedicated additional hours to exploring Nikko and Osaka
Approximately 90 miles north of Tokyo,
Nikko
It’s a common day trip destination, yet I felt that allocating two whole days would have been ideal for thoroughly experiencing the town. The area is renowned for its intricate shrines and temples as well as stunning mountain landscapes. During my visit in November, all attractions shut down by 4 p.m., causing darkness to set in soon afterward. This restriction made it challenging to see all of what Nikko has to showcase within the available time frame.
The 126-acre Tokugawa shrine and temple area – designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1999 – lies within ten miles of Lake Chuzenji, marking the starting point for the ascent up Mount Nantai. However, despite their proximity, moving between these locations might require about sixty minutes. The intricate details and grandeur of the place were such that I wished I had spent all day exploring it, particularly the renowned Toshogu Shrine.
I also hope I could have spent an entire day discovering the stunning lake, cascading waterfalls, and numerous trails surrounding the mountain. The one-day visit seemed hurried and only covered the main attractions.
I likewise hope I had devoted
more time in Osaka
Since it gained prominence mainly because of its cuisine, I assumed two days would suffice; however, it turned out that the non-culinary aspects were my highlights and what I wished I could have explored further.
The Dotonbori district was brimming with lights and crowds, exuding an energetic vibe that I really appreciated being immersed in. I had a great time exploring for about half a day.
Osaka Castle
, however, with additional time, I would have explored the Osaka Museum of Housing and Living as well as the Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan, places that fellow travelers I encountered spoke highly of. Additionally, I would have taken a direct flight back home from Osaka, saving myself both half a day and the $90 cost of a bullet train ticket.
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