Japan for 50th: solo or group tour?

[Anonymous]

Considering Japan for my 50th birthday solo trip next fall. My husband isn’t interested for a number of reasons. Would it be better to explore on my own or join a group tour? I’ve never been to Asia and feel a bit intimidated.

[Anonymous]

Do you speak any Japanese? If not, and you're a hesitant traveler, then group tour.

Nothing dangerous will happen (Japan is super safe), just it can be diffiult to navigate on yoru own.

[Anonymous]

Can you get some friends to join you?

[Anonymous]

Have you ever done a group tour before? Personally, I'm not a fan of them. I hate having my time scheduled out like that.

But some people enjoy that. My best friend absolutely loves going on group tours where she doesn't have to do any of her own planning.

[Anonymous]

It’s very easy to travel in Japan without speaking Japanese, even on your own.

However it might be a little more fun and educational to go on a tour.

If you enjoy doing the research yourself and booking your guides, etc, it would be no problem for someone who can’t speak Japanese.

I would lean towards doing a group just because I don’t have time to do all the research.

[Anonymous]

I would look for a tour - I've seen ones for solos or women only which I would focus on. I wouldn't want to be with a bunch of couples.

[Anonymous]

Yes, go on a tour.

[Anonymous]

I've been to Japan (with family) and I have also done a lot of solo traveling to other countries. I think a tour/group would be best and most interesting way to go.

[Anonymous]

Great place to travel solo as a woman. Lots of expat groups if you need to touch base with English speakers and very very safe. Excellent intra and intercity trains. Unless you're a solid extravert I'd go solo and book and day tours/short tours when you get there is you feel the need. I'm jealous!! Enjoy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Great place to travel solo as a woman. Lots of expat groups if you need to touch base with English speakers and very very safe. Excellent intra and intercity trains. Unless you're a solid extravert I'd go solo and book and day tours/short tours when you get there is you feel the need. I'm jealous!! Enjoy.

*extrovert (blush)

[Anonymous]

Remarkably easy to navigate a lot on your own, even without speaking Japanese. Could also hire local guides at some places for the day. Google maps is your friend and can help you get around. Get an eSIM card or rent a WiFi device so you can use your phone as you travel. Going solo would likely be about half the price of a tour, but you give up time figuring it all out. If you want to save that time for seeing more, and you’re not an experienced traveler and you have the money, a small tour might work for you.

[Anonymous]

Pp again. If you don’t flourish in heat and humidity, wait till October.

[Anonymous]

It depends on how adventurous OP is. Just getting from Tokyo Haneda airport to Shibuya is a bit of work. You need to take the monorail or the Keikyu rail line to Hamamatsucho or Shinagawaa stations. Then take a JR line Yamanote line to Shibura. Oh, and these may involve different tickets too because they are different operators.

Obviously people do it all the time, but it can be a bit complicated for a new traveler, and the train stations are quite packed full of people too. Yes, the signs are also in English, but it's a lot to navigate.