Solo Travel Japan

Japan Solo Travel Tips

Japan is the kind of destination that is synonymous with adventure travellers, and it’s an amazing country to discover on your own. Although it has a somewhat intimidating reputation, Japan is extremely tourist-friendly, and you’ll be hard-pressed to find a nicer people.

We pulled together some of the lesser known things about solo travel in Japan, from tips courtesy of local hosts to expert blog posts and everything you need to know about travelling around the country. Be inspired by some guest reviews and choose from one of our top host picks.

Travel blogger Sabrina shares her homestay experience with Marie in Tokyo.

Get to know Japan

We’ve done the research, spoken to the pros and put pen to paper to gather what we believe to be the most important information about visiting Japan. Where and when to go, what to eat and drink and more.

Read more Japan posts
Written by Mary Plunkett
Guest Stories

Exploring Japan with our homestay winner Silvia

As a young company, we at Homestay.com are constantly growing and are proud to mark the milestones in our journey. Last summer was our first anniversary and we decided to mark the occasion by running a competition for one lucky winner to win a ten night homestay for two anywhere in the world

Written by Michelle O'Beirne
Guest Stories

The best of Japanese culture through a homestay in Tokyo

When French couple Julian and Eve decided to visit Japan, they wanted to see more than the usual tourist trail of neon lit Tokyo skyscrapers and picturesque temples. After saving for the long haul flights and planning the trip at length, they decided they wanted to experience...

Written by Mary Plunkett
Solo Travel

Solo Travel to Japan: What you Need to Know

Dreaming of exploring Japan alone? Even for the seasoned traveller, Japan remains an enticing if somewhat intimidating travel option. Read our expert solo travel Japan guide.

Written by Michelle O'Beirne
Guest Stories

Around the world, one homestay at a time: adventures in Japan

Have you ever dreamed about travelling the world? Well that’s what one lucky competition winner, 22 year-old Denae gets to do.

Local Travel Tips

Secret Japan tips from those who know it best.

Homestay Host Family Miyako in Itoshima, Japan

Get a Japan Railway Pass as it is convenient to travel by train in Japan. After arriving at the main station, go to the travel information centre, marked wit...

Miyako in Itoshima, Itoshima

Homestay Host Family Tomoko in Tokyo, Japan

Don't be afraid to interact with Japanese people even though it seems hard for the Japanese to communicate in foreign languages. We are notorious for our poo...

Tomoko in Tokyo, Tachikawa, Tokyo

Guest Review

Sonny

My Homestay was the best experience I’ve ever had. It was my first time that I went abroad. Away from Europe. Away from everything that was familiar. I am an Exchange Student from Switzerland and wanted to get to know the culture one month before my school started. And this month I was welcomed in a cozy flat with the nicest Homestay couple you ...

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Sonny stayed in Itoshima, Itoshima with Miyako

Guest Review

Margarita

Kengo and Yoko are very lovely people who will make you feel at home. My stay with them was filled with fun evening chats over dinner (which is delicious!). They have helped me plan my day trips to Osaka and made a lot of effort to communicate with me despite the little Japanese I knew. Although this was my first time travelling to Japan on my o...

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Margarita stayed in Sakai, Sakai with Kengo

Guest Review

Marina

Yoko and Aki are amazing hosts! They are incredibly helpful and kind by providing directions around Tokyo, sharing their home with me, making delicious meals, teaching me basic Japanese, and by going above and beyond! Their two cats are adorable and Yuki the cat is friendly as can be. The pocket WiFi they provided me with during my stay ...

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Marina stayed in Minamidai, Nakanoku with Yoko

Guest Review

Chris

Hisae is a fantastic host, I had a great time staying with her family. She offered a warm welcome and even collected me and my heavy bags from the train station. Her home is in a good location within easy walking distance to the nearest station - from here it's very convenient to catch connections into the city centre. She is a great cook and...

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Chris stayed in Konohana-ku , Osaka with Mimura

Guest Review

Olga

Toshiro and Tanya are lovely couple, very kind, helpful and willing to make you feel like at home! It's the first time I have used home stay and found it really easy and so much better than a hotel. House is very beautiful and so clean. Both Tanya and Toshiro are educated, intellectual people and we had great talks about countries, cultures and ...

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Olga stayed in Setagaya ku, Tokyo with Toshiro & Tanya

Guest Review

Kathy

Chiaki and her family are lovely people who will give you good travel and touring advice. I felt very welcome in their home and had a wonderful time getting to know them all. Chiaki makes amazing food and the house is close to the station by bus, it is indeed a short time toward Osaka or Kyoto from their area. The rooms are comfortable and clean...

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Kathy stayed in Takatsuki-city located in midway of Osaka and Kyoto, Osaka with Chiaki

Top Hosts in Japan

These hosts are our favourite. They offer something above and beyond and love hosting guests. Check out Tomoko in Tokyo, Miyako in Kyoto, Mimura in Osaka, and Kana in Tokyo.

Tomoko

Tokyo
View host profile

Miyako

Kyoto
View host profile

Mimura

Osaka
View host profile

Kana

Tokyo
View host profile

Explore more Japan Homestays

Travel bloggers have their say

Don’t just take our word for it. See what some of best travel writers have to say about their Japan adventures.

Read more
Written by Claire Sweeney
Guest Stories

How to stay in Tokyo on a budget

Staying with Marie and her family in a Tokyo homestay, travel blogger Sabrina got a glimpse of the daily life of a family who live in a completely different culture. She was eager to learn about their house rules, etiquette and to try the local food.

Written by Colm Hanratty
Destinations • Asia

10 neighbourhoods in Tokyo worth checking out

When you visit New York City places like the Empire State Building are on the to-do list. In Paris it’s the Eiffel Tower. Then in Sydney it’s the Opera House. Tokyo, on the other hand...

Homestays in Japan

Find the perfect homestay for your next trip!

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