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[sparksandspies]

I'm planning a trip to Japan in the next month and will be going alone.
I'll start in Tokyo and work my way west ending up in Busan, Korea. I'll only have about 12 days but I'd like to see at least a couple of the cities.

I was really excited for this trip until I spoke to my uncle this evening, who used to do a lot of business in Japan. He advised about not doing a Japan trip alone. He said it's not like Europe, you won't meet many people to hang out with, if you go out at night you'll be sitting by yourself all night, etc. Basically, he said Japanese youth stick to themselves.

Is this statement acurate? Would it be a lonely 12 days?


Thanks in advance.

[Glenski]

So your uncle did business here. That's not the same as traveling on holiday, is it?

Take his advice with a grain of salt.

I've been on one trip where the following people volutarily approached me:
1) Chinese woman thought I needed help ordering food at a vendor (I didn't) and later wanted to chat with me,
2) Japanese woman approached me in a train station in the evening and offered to help me (again, thought I was lost, but I wasn't), and then invited me to her church,
3) Met an American Mormon on a ferry from Honshu to Shikoku, and since I was the first foreigner he'd seen in 18 months, he was glad to strike up a conversation (no proselytizing, though),
4) While waiting for a parade, I was approached by an older gentleman who asked me to sign his journal and pose with him for a photo and to eat some of his bento,
5) Ran into a German couple in 2 places on the same trip,
6) Ran into a Swedish photographer who spent the afternoon with me at a festival, then later saw me by coincidence a few days later in another city,
7) Chatted with several nice people at a guest house, and ended up being pen pals with one for about a year
Kids approached me at a train station to offer sightseeing advice in exchange for English practice,
9) While riding a ropeway up a mountain, I started a conversation with a woman whose husband was on business. We spent a few hours sightseeing together, then she bought me coffee and introduced me to her hubby.
10) Saw plenty of foreign tourists at festivals and had plenty of conversations based on what we all had planned to see and do.

Remember these events took place on just ONE TRIP.
Need I go on?

[dove]

I think you will definitely be able to meet people, but they might not be young Japanese people. By young I mean college age or young professionals. Now I know there are exceptions to this, but IN MY EXPERIENCE (I'm trying to prevent being flamed) I found that it's the older generation who will strike up conversations with foreign travelers. I've traveled lots around Japan, and I have had some wonderful conversations with middle-aged people and senior citizens. Young people tend to be very passive and shy, especially men.
If you stay in hostels, you will meet travelers from all over the world. The hostel in Takayama-city, for example, had a wonderful lounge where travelers talked about their adventures and made plans to go hiking together.
Don't be afraid of not meeting people to talk to. But remember to make the effort to strike up a conversation....don't be passive like the young people here.

[bornslippy1981]

I usually travel alone, as it works out better for me. I can do what I want, and go at my own pace.

I've always been able to meet people, both foreign and Japanese.

Don't be afraid to start the conversation, and you'll have a good trip.

[Gordon]

Kyoto hostels are great places to meet other foreigners, practically any hostels are though.

The language barrier is certainly your biggest drawback if you want to speak to a Japanese person, but they are very friendly.

[User N. Ame]

When did your uncle do business in Japan, during the war?

Seriously, I've travelled extensively through Asia and many othe parts of the globe, and Japan is - bar none - the safest place on the planet for the tourist. If you are female, it's true, you will have to be a bit careful if travelling alone, but emphasis on bit. Japan is the sort of place where when a stranger comes up to help you if you look lost - s/he really is just wanting to help you, rather than scam you. The only people I've had any trouble with in Japan are fellow foreigners. But even then, this was with foreign teachers, not tourists. One nice (and negative) thing about touring Japan is its bloody expensive and has strict drug laws compared to some other Asian countries. This weeds out poverty-stricken backpacker druggie lowlifes, all of whom bypass Japan and head straight for Kosan Road in Bangkok. So the tourists you'll meet tend to be people who are seriously interested in being in Japan and who can afford it.

Not sure how many days you will be in Japan, but try to get a JR Rail pass prior to arriving. Even if you only plan to be in Japan 4 days, a week-long pass will still pay off if you plan to use alot of shinkansen (bullet train) service. You can cover many sites between Tokyo and Fukuoka, and I think you may even be able to use the JR Pass for one of the ferries from Fukuoka to Busan. I took the fast Beetle ferry and it was fabulous.

Have fun!

[furiousmilksheikali]

Before you go, read Hokkaido Highway Blues by Will Ferguson. It might give you some idea of how to make impromptu acquaintances in Japan.

[Glenski]

Also, for women, it might not hurt to read Being a Broad in Japan, or go to its accompanying web site (where there is a forum, I think).
http://www.being-a-broad.com/