I'm traveling solo to Japan (second time but first time solo), arriving at night time in tokyo on the 23rd of June and departing Tokyo at night on the 4th of July. I've been looking to join an under 30's or young adults Japan tour for anywhere from 5 days to 10 days that fits my dates. I haven't found anything that fits so I'm wondering what other alternatives are available? Are there young adult groups I can join? Backpacking groups? I'm wanting to experience Japan with others and go out to bars/ clubs for a few nights to socialise. Any advice would be greatly appreciated, I've been struggling to find much
Solo Travel to Japan 22yr Old - Tour Group?
slosh on 07/05/2019 - 21:13
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I've stayed there too, and I can vouch for it.
If you can, book it in advance, just remember its a hostel so it isn't 5-star, but it offers all that you need… plus friendly travellers from Australia, USA, and Europe.
Traveling alone? Great. Meet some new people and make friends.
Japan is so easy to travel alone, just go out at night and drop into any izakaya and you will have instant friends. Not sure a tour is necessary really, but hostels are a good idea if you don't mind that type of accommodation.
I've stayed at a K's House too; went on a day tour, but definitely wouldn't do it again. The best part of Japan is improvising. Walk into any izakaya and anyone who knows English from bar staff to salarymen will talk to you. If you lock yourself into a tour, you'll spend your whole time with a bunch of weebs and sailors, then inevitably wind up at Hub.
- 1 talking to business guys at bars. I had one take myself and 2 friends out on a bender that ended at sunrise with him just taking a picture of us and walking away. Good times.
nnooo don't join a group tour!!
stay at hostels. spend some time on hostel world. sort by toprated and read the reviews. you can work out the vibe of the hostels pretty quick. pick a mix of party hostels with some more relaxed ones depending on your location.
Japan is safe and easy to get around. traveling yourself gives you the flexibility of choosing where you go, how long you stay, and what you do. Hostels will guarantee you'll meet other solo travelers looking to pair up for fun. Just grab a beer, go to the common room and ask the standard backpacker questions - where you from, where have you been, where are you going to.
you'll be right mate
of course if you're really uncomfortable, you sure there's heaps of tours that'll be geared to your age and a bit of partying
I agree with others that you’ll be fine on your own, however I’ve also picked tours over solo travel because it is just easier and to be with the same people for a week or two helps. Not sure if they’re involved in Japan but some companies to look up include Contiki, Topdeck, G Adventures and Intrepid. Though given you haven’t found anything yet that fits, you may have already looked into these companies.
Thank you for all your suggestions and sharing your experiences. I appreciate it! I'm definitely looking to book some nights at K's house and some other hostels. I'm laid back and good at holding conversations so I shouldn't have too much of a problem, especially because I'm looking to meet new people and hopefully share some social experiences in Japan. Has anyone stayed in an 8 bed style dormitory room before? Is it strange sleeping next to randoms or have you guys only stayed at hostels where you have a single or twin room?
Private room isn't exactly a hostel. Dorms are usually 4-20 bunks/room with shared bathroom.
Japanese capsule hotels can have even more, and I highly recommend it. You'll find a mix of tourists, English teachers on break, military people on leave from Okinawa, local salarymen who missed the last train, etc. Just remember that mixed dorms are rare in Japan. Unlike most countries, they're usually sex-segregated ONLY. So if you manage to hook up, you'll need to pay for a love hotel for any privacy.
Thing with Dorms is people come and go at different hours, people snore etc. I've done it in USA, and it was fine, but if you're a light sleeper consider that. (or get some of those Bose sleep ear buds and claim the tax on your way out of the country via TRS. Add a sleep mask and you're away!)
I stayed in the twin rooms at K's House because I was travelling with friends. I think they have 4 person dorms too at some locations? cant remember.
I've stayed at K's House hostels throughout Japan. Great English speaking staff and lots of western travelers. If you're the outgoing type that has no issues approaching people, it'll be so easy to make friends in the common rooms. Hostels also generally arrange outings where you can mingle with others travelers too.