Japan is a land of fascinating dualities. You can land in a modern city with the latest technology, miles of neon lights, only to find yourself less than an hour away from ancient temples that have stood for centuries. Traveling to Japan with friends is one of the most fun experiences imaginable. It’s also a great place for a solo vacation.
Mistakes of traveling alone in Japan and how to avoid them
After years of strict restrictions, Japan has reopened its borders to foreign tourists. With the USD/JPY exchange rate at historically favorable levels, now is the perfect time to take that solo vacation of your dreams!
When planning your own trip to Japan, there are a few pitfalls to be aware of. These are some of my personal Japan travel mistakes and how to avoid them while traveling.
Compare the best value in rail passes
Spending too much money on rail passes was my biggest mistake on this trip.
Countless colleagues who have been to Japan before told me to apply for a national rail pass. On the face of it, this was a smart purchase, as Japan Rail (also known as JR) tickets are expensive a la carte. Foreign visitors can buy National Rail Passes at adult and child prices, which is a better deal. You can use the pass on the Shinkansen and many local JR lines, but not on the Nozomi express service.
There are also regional rail passes such as JR East, JR Hokkaido and JR Tokai Pass. Since I spend most of my time in eastern and southern Japan, a regional pass might save money. Solo holidays are available when you want to see as much of a new country as possible, or at a more relaxed pace, and you might not want to hop on a train every day. I chose the latter.
Consider travel times with rail passes
Considering the cost of a single bullet train trip between Tokyo and Osaka, buying a nationwide pass is still a good deal, let alone cities further afield. Depending on where you plan to spend your vacation and how you travel, timing can affect the cost of your rail pass.
Rail passes can be mailed to your home prior to travel. They must then be activated at the airport or at any JR office (popular locations are Shinjuku and Shin-Osaka in Tokyo). Rail passes are valid for 7, 14 and 21 days.
I bought a 14-day pass for the 18-day trip and planned to spend the last six days in Tokyo and Yokohama. I spent a week in Tokyo, then Nagano and Matsumoto, then a week in Osaka, where I went on a day trip to Kyoto.
Since I wanted to explore Tokyo and its surroundings first, I would have saved more money by activating the 7-day rail pass before going to Nagano.
Rail passes serve many purposes, even regionally
Another way I can get more value out of my rail pass is by relying on something other than my New Yorker instincts. For Americans used to seeing few operators in one place, transportation in Japan can be overwhelming, even though it’s a big city. Amtrak and regional commuter rail lines like NJ Transit and Long Island Railroad flank the New York MTA. However, navigating in cities is mostly done via the MTA. Navigating Tokyo and other large Japanese cities is different.
I arrived and departed on a trip visiting Tokyo. I’d like to see different parts of the city where I can find cheap but decent hotel rooms near Tokyo subway stations with luggage lifts. I bought a weekly Tokyo Metro pass to see the city.
When I first looked at the Tokyo Metro subway map, it seemed oddly small for such a large and transit-oriented city. JR and various other operators like Toei Subway can go all those places that the subways can’t!
I saw that I could show my rail pass on numerous local JR lines, but hadn’t thought of JR as a way to see Tokyo. If you want to see most of the city and get to other towns quickly, Shinjuku is the most convenient place as it is a central rail hub. However, I’m happy to explore Tokyo at my own pace and experience the cleanest subway I’ve ever been on.
Obtain a Suica card before travel or upon arrival
Many online retailers that sell Japan Rail Passes, SIM cards and related merchandise also sell Suica cards. It’s smart to buy one in advance, but you can also find them at airports and convenience stores. Prepaid cards are good for everything from local transit systems to convenience stores and vending machines!
I remember seeing Suica signs all over Tokyo, but didn’t know how they work until I saw an Abroad in Japan video. While it’s wise to have cash on hand before leaving your home country (and never exchange currency at the airport, call your bank ahead of time to buy yen), making sure you have the correct change on a random bus may It would be troublesome for a system where the rail pass cannot be used.
Put $20 on your Suica card, take the bus to random places, explore the taxis if your feet hurt, and head to Akiba’s infamously haunted vending machine alley. Loading a small amount onto a Suica card costs less in the long run and opens up more on the ground.
Buy a Sim card or get a pocket Wi-Fi to avoid international roaming charges.
Before I went on vacation in Japan, the last time I left the country was when it was customary to leave your phone at home or turn it off until you’re back in the US again. I have my phone with me everywhere, but my carrier charges me $10 a day for international roaming.
If you have an unlocked phone, the cheapest and easiest solution to this problem is to buy a Japanese SIM card before you leave the country. You can order 15-30 days or about 10GB of data online for $35-50. Some can be picked up when you arrive at the airport. Narita and Haneda airports also have shops near the JR office where you can buy a SIM card on the day of arrival. As a bonus, the SIM card is yours! You can use it again if you return to Japan or gift it to a friend who travels with an unlocked phone.
Depending on your phone type, make sure you have a bent paper clip or unique key handy that you can use to poke open the SIM card tray for easy card swaps. Later iPhone versions made this process tricky.
Pocket Wi-Fi is another option if your phone is locked. Portable Wi-Fi bricks are available at the airport and should be ordered at least one week in advance. Rentals are based on the number of days you need them, and you will usually get volume discounts if you rent for longer periods of time.
The ideal solution depends on the type of phone you have and how long you plan to stay. I wasted $180 in roaming charges when I could have saved over $120 on a portable Wi-Fi or SIM card, don’t make the same mistake.
When to Plan Your Japan Trip
Early to mid-May is the best time of year to visit Japan. You’ll miss out on the April Blossom Festival and the throngs of tourists and influencers trying to get their photos with those pink trees. Hotels are cheaper before the peak of summer, and the weather in May should be impeccable. The summer heat is unbearable and there are tourists everywhere.
Tourist attractions may still require reservations
Even though there were fewer tourists when I went, I needed help getting into some cool anime cafes I wanted to visit. Many require advance reservations. Other ‘experience’ cafes such as the Cat and Reptile Cafe may be an optional booking, followed by a 3 hour wait when you arrive.
Check each cafe’s website before your trip to see if they require reservations and how far in advance you can book them. If you’re more casual, there are plenty of other cafes that aren’t crowded, and there are food stalls at this time of year, but they don’t serve Inuyasha pancakes.
This article was produced and syndicated by Wealth of Geeks Travel.
