By Gabi ·
· 4 min read
BEST TIME
Mar to Apr, Oct to Nov
CURRENCY
Japanese yen (¥)
VISA
UK: visa-free up to 90 days
GETTING AROUND
Trains + IC card
LANGUAGE
Japanese
SAFETY
Very safe for solo women
01
Japan is a genuine year-round destination, but the season changes the trip completely.
Spring (March to May)
Cherry blossom season, usually late March to early April. The most beautiful time to go and the busiest, so book early.
Summer (June to August)
Rainy season runs through June into July, then it turns hot and humid. Great for festivals and fireworks if you can handle the heat.
Autumn (September to November)
Our favourite. Mild weather and autumn leaves, which usually peak around mid-November in Kyoto.
Winter (December to February)
Cold, crisp and clear, with far fewer crowds. Snow in the north and the Japanese Alps.
02
Japan has a reputation for being expensive, but day-to-day costs are more manageable than most people expect. The big spends are accommodation and long-distance trains.
Food: convenience stores, ramen counters and food halls make eating well on a budget easy.
Transport: city trains are cheap, the bullet train is the big-ticket item.
Accommodation: the biggest cost, especially in cherry blossom season.
Cash: cards are widely accepted in cities, but carry some yen for smaller places and temples.
03
Japan is consistently rated one of the safest countries in the world, which makes it one of the easiest places to take your first solo trip. Streets feel safe late at night and lost property usually finds its way back to you.
Some city train lines run women-only carriages during rush hour.
Police boxes (koban) are dotted around every city if you need help or directions.
Use normal common sense in nightlife districts and ignore bar touts.
On our trip you're with a group and a local guide the whole way.
04
UK passport holders can visit Japan visa-free as a tourist for up to 90 days. Other nationalities vary, so always check your government's latest advice before you book.
Your passport needs to be valid for the whole of your stay.
Filling in Visit Japan Web before you fly speeds up immigration and customs.
Check the latest entry rules on gov.uk before travelling.
05
Japan's public transport is famously clean, punctual and easy to use, even if you don't speak a word of Japanese.
Load up a rechargeable IC card (like Suica or ICOCA) and tap on for trains, buses and even convenience stores.
The bullet train (shinkansen) connects the big cities in a couple of hours.
Luggage forwarding lets you send your case ahead and travel between cities hands-free.
Google Maps works brilliantly for train routes and platforms.
06
You'll walk a lot more than you think, and a few Japan-specific bits make life much easier.
Comfortable walking shoes, plus slip-ons for temples and traditional inns where shoes come off.
Socks without holes (you'll be showing them more than you'd think).
A small hand towel, as many public toilets don't have hand dryers.
A coin purse for yen.
A small bag for rubbish, because public bins are rare.
A plug adaptor for Japan's two-pin sockets.
The complete Japan packing list
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STRAIGHT FROM THE TRIP
07
Is Japan good for a first solo trip?
Do I need to speak Japanese?
How long do I need in Japan?
RATHER NOT PLAN IT YOURSELF?
Japan with the girls
Women-only group trip with a local guide. From £2499pp.
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