should i go alone or not?

[smellmycomputer]

I've been wanting to go to japan for a few years now. out of all the places i've seen it's the only one i realy want to go to. The problem is that everybody else i know either doesn't want to go, or simply can't afford it. Is it worth going on my own and hoping things will work out? My current thinking is go in July 2007, i know it's not the best weather, but that's the only time i got

what i'd like to do idealy is spend maybe 3 weeks out there. Maybe 1 week tokyo and then 2 weeks with a JR pass having a look around the rest of the contry. I so want to do this more than anything, but i worry that i might get there, be lonely and not enjoy it. I have a pretty basic language understanding. i was studdying but after sacking off the trip for a few years i lost intrest. i want to get this booked to give me the motivation to studdy again. I'm confident that i could get by if i need to, i was always best and languages in school. What do you people with experience think?

also i got a few more basic qustions if someone could help me out:
how good are my chances of meeting an english speaking people out there to hang about with?
If i walk into say a museum will all the exibits be labeled in english too?
Is a week too long in tokyo?
Anybody have or is facing the same situation as me?

[ArmandV]

Each time I've gone (except once, I went with a group) to Japan, I've gone alone. There are plenty of gaijin to talk to, but you will get more enjoyment talking with the locals. Just plant yourself at a coffee shop and sooner or later a Japanese will want to shoot-the-bull with you. Generally, the Japanese who will want to strike up conversations are older men and younger women. They like to try out their English skills.

Fortunately for me, I have friends in Japan, so I am not really "alone" when I go, although I go site-seeing by myself. Don't worry, you'll have a good time.

[Alma]

Just plant yourself at a coffee shop and sooner or later a Japanese will want to shoot-the-bull with you.
that's good to know :cool:

If i walk into say a museum will all the exibits be labeled in english too?
Is a week too long in tokyo?
Anybody have or is facing the same situation as me?
I visited Neo Tokyo museum.. as far as I remember, everything was in Japanese AND English. so relax.
week is not too long in Tokyo. especially if you are going to visit something near Tokyo.. i remember we went to see some shrine (with a lot of stairs..) outside of Tokyo and spent whole day just for that.
don't worry about going by yourself. just do not forget to tell us all about your trip when you come back! and pics too!!!
good luck!!! :wave:

[MeAndroo]

I've always liked traveling with at least one other person, regardless of the destination. For me, being able to converse about what you experience adds a depth of understanding and critical thought that I wouldn't necessarilly engage in were I alone. The few times I traveled solo in Japan were enjoyable, but I don't know if I could go 3 weeks without a buddy.

Some museums will offer English guides, both written and vocal (in the form of headphones and a small radio/tape unit) to aide your experience. They're usually only a couple of bucks or free with suggested donation.

[Amos]

I say go for it!

Life is too short and if you keep waiting for someone else to interested/able to go then chances are you'll never get there. Sure there are benefits of travelling with someone else, but conversely there are downsides. If you go on your own you'll be able to do exactly what you want without feeling guilty :)

Don't worry about getting lonely. It will only happen if you want it to! If you choose where you stay wisely (ie choose places where you are likely to meet other travellers on their own) then it can be a great way of making new friends. Many tourist sites have Japanese goodwill guides, who will give you a guided tour for free. And there are always the ex-pat bars dotted around the place where English teachers meet up. You'll always find someone there to share news of home with.

A week is NEVER too long in Tokyo. I have been to Japan twice and only had 3 or 4 days in Tokyo each time. For my next trip I'll extend the stay to 3 weeks and have one week solid just in Tokyo.

And getting around the main tourist routes is easy enough (easier than using transport in blighty). You'll have main signs in English and Japanese. But obviously the more Japanese you speak the broader your trip will be.

My only concern would be the weather in July. Perhaps some Japan residents can give more info on what to expect, but I'd say hot and humid. But if there is no other time you can go, it will be worth the sweat :)

[Yoko_Kisaragi]

I've been wanting to go to japan for a few years now. out of all the places i've seen it's the only one i realy want to go to. The problem is that everybody else i know either doesn't want to go, or simply can't afford it. Is it worth going on my own and hoping things will work out? My current thinking is go in July 2007, i know it's not the best weather, but that's the only time i got
what i'd like to do idealy is spend maybe 3 weeks out there. Maybe 1 week tokyo and then 2 weeks with a JR pass having a look around the rest of the contry. I so want to do this more than anything, but i worry that i might get there, be lonely and not enjoy it. I have a pretty basic language understanding. i was studdying but after sacking off the trip for a few years i lost intrest. i want to get this booked to give me the motivation to studdy again. I'm confident that i could get by if i need to, i was always best and languages in school. What do you people with experience think?
also i got a few more basic qustions if someone could help me out:
how good are my chances of meeting an english speaking people out there to hang about with?
If i walk into say a museum will all the exibits be labeled in english too?
Is a week too long in tokyo?
Anybody have or is facing the same situation as me?
I'm going alone since I'm going to be a foreign exchange student for my senior year of high school. If I am allowed to go to the U of Tokyo (hopefully my Japanese will be good enough) I will be alone there as well.

[ArmandV]

also i got a few more basic qustions if someone could help me out:
how good are my chances of meeting an english speaking people out there to hang about with?
If i walk into say a museum will all the exibits be labeled in english too?
Is a week too long in tokyo?
Anybody have or is facing the same situation as me?

It is hard to say about finding English-speaking people to hang out with. It depends upon where you go. Last year, while up in Sendai, I was basically on my own but the only person I had any lengthy conversations with (I don't speak Japanese) was the ryokan's (where I stayed) owner's daughter. She spoke English and was a student at a Los Angeles-area college. You never know.

I've never had problems at museums. As was mentioned, you can use free or rental English headphone devices to interpret the exhibits. But I found most museums have English scripted labels/signs.

Tokyo is a fun place. A year ago, I spent a week in Tokyo and found plenty to do and see. I did take a train excursion for the day to Yokohama. Plan your days and you should not be bored with nothing to do. No, a week is not too long to be in Tokyo.

I will be going solo again in April (I hope, provided I can raise the cash in time).

[Glenski]

Is it worth going on my own and hoping things will work out?
I am always amused by this sort of statement. Who can really, truly say whether it is "worth it"? Everyone is different. You will know only after you have experienced it. It's a vacation, not a job. Different situation to be "worth it" or not.

My current thinking is go in July 2007, i know it's not the best weather, but that's the only time i gotWhy not the best weather? Depends on where you go. Up here in Hokkaido, that's perfect timing.

I so want to do this more than anything, but i worry that i might get there, be lonely and not enjoy it. I have a pretty basic language understanding. i was studdying but after sacking off the trip for a few years i lost intrest. i want to get this booked to give me the motivation to studdy again.
If study is your motivation, why do you want to study Japanese?

I'm confident that i could get by if i need to, i was always best and languages in school. What do you people with experience think?If you're here just for a vacation, you can get by in the major cities without a whisper of Japanese. It won't be smooth as silk, but you can do it. So, with a little knowledge, things will be easier. The important thing is to realize that speaking LOUDLY and clearly doesn't communicate. Be aware of the Japanese people's limitations, go with their friendliness and politeness, and do your best to adapt. Just enjoy the experience. I'm a planner, so if I were to go to the post office, I would look up a few words and phrased beforehand, write them out, and THEN go...prepared. You also have to understand that most people here have gone through 6 years of English education, but that didn't really afford them an opportunity to practice oral communication. So, they may be able to understand more of what is written than spoken. Keep a friendly attitude, don't use lots of slang, and enjoy.

also i got a few more basic qustions if someone could help me out:
how good are my chances of meeting an english speaking people out there to hang about with?Depends where you go. You really sound like someone who is dependent on others for companionship, or really fearful about traveling alone even in your home country. Don't be either of these. You'll have more fun. If you happen to run into someone traveling your way, so be it. (Look up www.lonelyplanet.com and the link to the Thorn Tree discussion group if you want to talk more about traveling. Perhaps others there will be on a similar route as you and wouldn't mind hooking up.)

If i walk into say a museum will all the exibits be labeled in english too?Flip a coin. Fifty-fifty.

Is a week too long in tokyo?Ask yourself if a week is too long to spend as a tourist in New York City or London. Depends on you, your traveling experience, and what you want to see/do.

Anybody have or is facing the same situation as me?Probably at least half of the travelers you will run into.

FWIW, I worked in Tokyo for 5 months when my American office was setting up a branch office there. Got to see almost nothing of the city. Ten years later, I returned and really didn't see the point in touring Tokyo, but I spent 3 weeks on Honshu and Shikoku... alone. Here's a small account of people I ran into:

A German couple I met at a ryokan later bumped into me in a different city.
A French woman on a train offered some advice about where she had just been.
A pushy Chinese woman thought I was lost (I wasn't) and wanted to help me order food at a vendor (I didn't need help) and later wanted to exchange email addresses (we didn't; weird pushy person).
A Swedish commercial photographer I met in Kyoto on the streets noticed that we had been staying at the same ryokan, so we spent the afternoon together at a festival in Kyoto, then later we bumped into each other in Tokyo.
I met a young Mormon missionary on a ferry boat to Matsuyama. It was his 18th month there, and he was changing locations. I was the first foreigner he had spoken to in that time.
At a guest house with a sitting room, I met an Australian businessman who makes regular trips to Japan to sell various things. Ok, those are the foreigners. Here are the notable Japanese I ran into.
At the guest house with the Australian, I also met a Japanese woman with home we exchanged letters a few times before she got married (I sent a gift, much to her surprise.).
A woman came to me in Shinjuku station, tried to help me find my way, then asked me to go to her Christian church that evening (I didn't).
An old man, a famous person, I was told later, greeted me as I sat waiting for a festival parade, offered me some of his convenience store food, and asked me to sign his journal and have a picture taken with him.
Two young guys asked me if they could pray for me while I waited for a bus. They also wanted me to pray WITH them (I declined).
Kids on a train getting ready to pull out shouted hellos for 10 minutes across the tracks.
I met a Japanese housewife sharing a cable car. Her husband was on a business trip and had brought her along, but deserted her to do his business. We spent a few hours touring around, then she bought me coffee.
On another cable car, I chatted with 3 older women. All it took to start the conversation was someone yelling "kowai!" as the car shook a little.
In a Tokyo restaurant I noticed a man at the next table wearing a cowboy hat and boots. He eventually came to my table and chatted.

Can you see? You're not going to be lonely.

Was such a trip "worth it"?
I met several people.
I saw 21 cities in 23 days. Castles, shrines, festivals.
I took 400 pictures (no digital camera then!).

Here's a snippet of luck that developed:
I became a travel columnist for an online magazine for the next year, writing all about this one trip. Unpaid writing, but who cares? Someone who read my stories wrote to me for further traveling advice. We maintained an email relationship for a few years. Then, after I moved to Japan, he announced that he was going to come to my city and wanted to meet for the first time. His traveling companion was researching a new book. Ever hear of Raymond Benson? James Bond writer for a while. That was the traveling companion, and I got to show him around the city a little, and when he finished his book The Man with the Red Tattoo, I got an autographed copy as thanks.

Was the trip worth it?

[ArmandV]

An old man, a famous person, I was told later, greeted me as I sat waiting for a festival parade, offered me some of his convenience store food, and asked me to sign his journal and have a picture taken with him.


Who was he (if you remember his name)?

[Beer Baron]

yes go for it. do some research of what you want to see and do and you'll be fine. I've never travelled around japan alone as I have lots of friends living and working there. but I have gone to japan by myself to meet them, and stayed by myself.

you will meet lots of people if you are open to it. :)

[tigermilk]

"Ok, those are the foreigners. Here are the notable Japanese I ran into."

Most notable encounter for me was a business trip to Nagoya. One of the Japanese engineers had impeccable English and was wearing a Texas flag lapel pin. Got to talking and was totally floored. I remembered him from high school in the Dallas area! There's one photo in the yearbook where he was a couple people away from me in a school club photo. Graduated 2 years ahead of me. He moved back to Japan whereas his parents stayed in Texas. A small world.

Back on subject, no reason not to go alone. I prefer going with my wife first, and if that's not possible, please let me go alone. No one is there to be wishy-washy about where to go, what to eat, etc. You can make your own schedule and go at your own pace.

[Dragonsrose]

I just happened to stumble on this website as I was looking for info on travelling in Japan. I'm going to be there for two weeks alone and it was great reading the comments here. Does anyone have any info, or a link to get more info on the train system in Japan and how much the pass costs? I'm arriving in Osaka on the 8th of June and I want to know how much it's going to cost to just travel through train.

Also, any advise on how to look up hostels or cheap hotels as you are traveling?

[Amos]

Try these two sites for info on the trains....
http://www.japanrail.com/
http://www.japanbyrail.co.uk/Intro.html
If you go through the JR site you can find pdf versions of the shinkansen timetables and download them before you go. Very handy, esepcially if your communication skills are not too great. It will also tell you about the rail pass - note you MUST buy it before you get to Japan.
To give you some idea of how easy it is to use the trains I've attached a picture of the platform for the Hikari Railstar, going south from Tokyo.
http://img74.imageshack.us/img74/8841/picture418ek8.th.jpg (http://img74.imageshack.us/my.php?image=picture418ek8.jpg)

[Glenski]

ArmandV wrote:
Who was he (if you remember his name)?Never found out.

[Homerduff]

Im more or less in the same situation as you..

I will also go to Japan this summer, and if I may choose myself I would actually like to go alone. But my parents wont allow me to go (for now) if I dont have a companion with me. This trip is really important to me, and I have been looking forward to it for a while now so I may have to look for someone. Now I dont think its a problem for me to find someone, but theres only friend I wouldnt mind going with together (cause I know hes easy-going and I wont have any problems with him).

Im aware that it would be a lot more fun to be with 2 if you are for example in the city, or during the evenings while going out..

[.::b|ue Ash::.]

I think it really depends on the reasons you like Japan, as to how well any visit will go.

I prefer to go in warmer weather myself I've been in April/May and Dec/Jan. I hope to return this year in Aug.

Honestly, I would LOVE to go to Japan myself! But that's not an option.

If you love Japan for more then the top of the surface site seeing, and their unique gadgets, or more then just being an anime fan, you can have a great time there by yourself.

Personally, I could sit in a garden for hours happy as a bunny. I could also walk through a crowded street by myself for hours and be perfectly content.

My last trip I went with 6 other people, NEVER again. It's very hard to drag 7 people across the world, to a land they do not understand. Everyone got upset as they didn't get to do what they wanted to do, when they wanted to do it, etc.

[smellmycomputer]

thanks for the advice. I've decided, i'm going. I went to amseterdam for a bit the other week, decided i wished i was on my own, rather than with 5 other people, i'm sure that i'd want to do my own thing even more in japan. I'm just drawing up my list of cities to visit on the train, thanks again

[ArmandV]

thanks for the advice. I've decided, i'm going. I went to amseterdam for a bit the other week, decided i wished i was on my own, rather than with 5 other people, i'm sure that i'd want to do my own thing even more in japan. I'm just drawing up my list of cities to visit on the train, thanks again

You'll enjoy it. Although it would be nice to have a companion to talk to, the advantage of going solo is that you can do what you want when you want to.

I am going over April 13 for 12 days solo. But I'll be meeting up with friends here and there.

It will be fun for you to experience the country and figure out how to get from place to place. I'll be in Tokyo for the first 3 days and the last three days. The rest of the time I will be on the Nagasaki side of Kyushu. Since I've never been on that island, it'll be interesting to navigate around.