Table for One, Please! Why Japan is the World’s Best Destination for Solo Travelers
“I want to go to Japan, but my friends are busy/broke.” I hear this all the time. And my answer is always the same: GO ALONE.
In many Western countries, sitting alone in a restaurant feels awkward. People look at you like you have no friends. In Japan, it is the opposite. We have a culture called “Ohitorisama” (The Art of Doing Things Alone).
Japan is arguably the #1 country in the world for solo travel. Here is why you will love it.
1. The “Counter Culture” (Dining is Stress-Free)
In Japan, almost every restaurant (Ramen, Sushi, Izakaya, Beef Bowl, Curry) has Counter Seating. This is the solo traveler’s best friend.
- The Design: You face the kitchen or a wall, not an empty chair. You are supposed to be alone here.
- The Vibe: Look around. You will see businessmen, students, and young women eating happily by themselves.
- Level Up: There are even “Solo Yakiniku” (Solo BBQ) restaurants like “Yakiniku Like,” where you get your own personal mini-grill. It is pure freedom.
2. Safety: The “Phone on the Table” Test
Japan is incredibly safe. It is one of the few countries where you can walk down a dark alley at 2 AM and feel completely relaxed.
- The Cafe Test: If you are in a cafe and need to use the bathroom, you can leave your laptop and iPhone on the table to save your seat. Nobody will steal it. (I mean, use common sense, but it is remarkably safe).
- For Women: Japan is a top destination for solo female travelers. There are even “Women Only” cars on trains during rush hour (look for the pink signs on the platform).
3. You Don’t Need to Talk to Anyone
If you are an introvert, Japan is heaven.
- Ticket Machines: Order your food via a machine.
- Conbini: Buy everything you need without speaking.
- Silence: Trains and public spaces are quiet. No forced small talk with strangers.
4. Accommodation is Built for One
Hotels in the West charge per room (expensive for one person). Japan offers amazing solo options:
- Business Hotels: Tiny, clean rooms designed for one person.
- Capsule Hotels: The ultimate solo pod.
- Hostels: Japanese hostels are surprisingly high-quality, clean, and private (often with curtains around the bunk).
5. You Will Actually Meet More People
Here is the irony: When you travel with friends, you only talk to your friends. When you travel alone in Japan, you sit at the counter. The bartender talks to you. The local sitting next to you asks where you are from (after a few sakes).
Japanese people are shy, but they are curious about solo travelers. “Golden Gai” in Shinjuku or standing bars (Tachinomi) are perfect places to make friends for the night.
Summary: The Ultimate Freedom
Don’t wait for your friends. They might never be ready. Come to Japan alone. Eat the garlic ramen without worrying about your breath. Spend 3 hours in a vintage shop. Wake up at 5 AM or sleep until noon.
The trip belongs 100% to you.
Nervous about your first night alone in Tokyo? Join our “Bar Hopping Tour” on your first night. You will instantly meet a group of fellow travelers and a local guide. You’ll arrive solo, but you won’t be lonely!
