Exploring Japan Solo: My Adventure in 2025
Hey everyone!
It feels like ages since I last shared anything about solo travel in Japan. So today, I'm super excited to dive into the details of my trip from early June 2025. This was my first time exploring Japan, so any insights and feedback from experienced travelers are totally welcome!
Trip Overview
- Cost: Approximately $1,100 (USD equivalent, including visa and souvenirs)
- Duration: 7 Days, 6 Nights
- Destinations: Osaka, Kyoto, Mount Fuji, Tokyo
1. Securing Your Visa
The visa process was pretty straightforward. I followed the online guides and submitted my application through a travel agency. Their attention to detail was reassuring.
Cost: Around $50 (USD equivalent, including visa fee, service fee, and miscellaneous expenses).
Important Visa Notes:
- I applied as part of a group of five, and each of us had prior travel history to at least one or two Asian countries.
- Make sure you gather all required documents upfront to avoid unnecessary trips to the agency.
- The visa processing time was about 7 days from when the agency confirmed they submitted the application to the consulate.
2. Flights and Arrival
Outbound: Ho Chi Minh City (HCM) to Kansai (KIX), Deluxe Class, 20kg baggage. Departure at 1:00 AM (Vietnam time), arrival at 9:00 AM (Japan time).
Return: Haneda (HND) to HCM, Deluxe Class, 20kg baggage. Departure at 2:00 AM (Japan time), arrival at 8:00 AM (Vietnam time).
Cost: Approximately $300 (USD equivalent)
Flight Tips:
- Be prepared for potential delays of 1-2 hours.
- At Kansai Airport, simply follow the crowd to the mini-train that takes you to the immigration area.
- Bring a pen to fill out the immigration form, or complete it online beforehand.
3. Currency and SIM Card
Cash: Exchange money before your trip, as cash is widely used for meals, entry fees, and souvenirs.
- While many places accept Visa, Japan still relies heavily on cash.
- Bring a small tray or pouch to organize your coins for easy access.
SIM Card: I purchased a SoftBank SIM card with 3GB of data per day online.
Cost: Around $12 (USD equivalent)
Connectivity Tips:
- If you only need data for maps, consider a SIM card with less data to save money.
- Insert the SIM card as soon as you land in Japan to activate it correctly.
4. My 7-Day Itinerary
Day 1 – June 2nd (Osaka)
- 08:00: Arrive at Kansai Airport (KIX), Immigration
- 12:30: Check into hotel, lunch
- 14:00: Visit Tsutenkaku Tower, explore Shinsekai
- 16:00: Explore Kuromon Market
- 18:00: Dinner in Dotonbori, take photos with the Glico Man sign
Day 2 – June 3rd
- 10:00: Travel from Osaka to Kyoto (via JR or Hankyu, about 1 hour)
- 11:00: Lunch in Higashishiokojicho
- 12:30: Bus to Okazakienshojicho
- 14:00: Visit Keiryu-bashi Bridge, Heian-jingu Shrine
- 16:00: Bus to the Rabbit Temple near Okazaki-jinja Shrine
- 17:00: Train to Fushimi Inari Shrine (Thousand Gates)
- 18:30: Dinner back in Higashishiokojicho
- 19:30: Return to Osaka
Day 3 – June 4th (Kiyomizu Temple – Onsen – Night Bus)
- 08:00: Check out, leave luggage in a locker in Osaka
- 08:30: Travel from Osaka to Kyoto
- 09:00: Visit Kiyomizu-dera Temple
- 12:00: Ramen lunch near Kiyomizu
- 13:00: Explore other temples and traditional streets nearby
- 17:30: Return to Osaka to pick up luggage
- 19:00: Enjoy an Onsen experience
- 22:00: Depart by overnight bus to Kawaguchiko (Mount Fuji)
Day 4 – June 5th (Mount Fuji – Tokyo)
- 08:30: Arrive at Kawaguchiko Station
- 09:00–12:00: Explore Mount Fuji (rented electric bike)
- 12:00: Lunch
- 13:00: Continue exploring the area, take photos
- 17:00: Travel to Tokyo by pre-booked bus
- 19:30: Check into hotel, dinner
Day 5 – June 6th (Kamakura Day Trip)
- 08:00: Travel to Kamakura (approx. 1.5 hours by train)
- 09:30: Explore Kamakura
- 12:00: Lunch in Kamakura
- 14:00: Visit Enoshima Island
- 18:00: Relax, explore the town, shopping. Return to Tokyo, dinner
Day 6 – June 7th (Tokyo)
- 08:00: Visit Sensoji Temple
- 11:00: Lunch in Sotokanda, return to hotel for afternoon break
- 15:00: Visit Meiji Jingu Shrine
- 17:00: Explore Takeshita Street, Shibuya Crossing
- 18:00: Dinner in Dongenzaka
- 19:00: Shopping at Don Quijote, return to hotel
Day 7 – June 8th (Tokyo – Shopping + Maxell Aqua Park)
- 10:00: Check out, leave luggage. Visit Zōjō-ji Temple
- 11:00: Lunch
- 12:30: Visit Maxell Aqua Park Shinagawa
- 15:00: Explore Ginza, coffee, Uniqlo shopping, Hana supermarket
- 21:00: Travel to Haneda Airport
Day 8 – June 9th (Departure)
- Fly back home!
5. Accommodation
- Osaka (2 nights): A Japanese-style house near Tamatsukuri Station, with 2 bedrooms and full amenities.
- Bus (1 night): Overnight bus to Mount Fuji (reclining seats, power outlets, toilet).
- Tokyo (3 nights): A mini apartment near Sugamo Station, small but fully equipped and secure.
Cost: Around $200 (USD equivalent) for 5 nights per person
Accommodation Tips:
- Check-in is usually after 3 PM, and check-out is before 10 AM, so plan your itinerary accordingly.
- Take care of the property. Damage can be problematic.
6. Getting Around
- Kansai Mini Pass (3 days): Valid on JR lines in Osaka and Kyoto.
- Tokyo Subway Ticket (2 days): Valid on Tokyo Metro lines within the city.
- Suica Card (created & charged via ApplePay): For all other train lines and general payments.
- Overnight Bus Ticket: From Osaka to Mount Fuji.
- Express Bus Ticket: From Mount Fuji back to Tokyo.
I purchased all train tickets on Klook. The overnight bus to Mount Fuji was booked on Willer, and the bus back to Tokyo was booked on highwaybus.
Cost: Kansai pass around $20, Tokyo subway pass around $8, Suica $50, overnight bus around $70, bus Fuji to Tokyo around $16, totaling around $164 (USD equivalent)
Transportation Tips:
- Use Google Maps to navigate the train system (pay attention to direction and platform, and double-check the signs at the station and on the train).
- Create only one Suica card and use it consistently to avoid card reading issues.
7. Food and Drink
Breakfast: Quick and easy options like rice balls or sandwiches from the convenience store (combini).
Lunch & Dinner: Ramen, udon, eel rice, sushi, set meals, Korean BBQ, okonomiyaki. I relied heavily on Google Maps reviews to choose restaurants based on distance, ratings, menus, and prices.
Two places I remember fondly:
- Sushiro in Dotombori: A modern conveyor belt sushi restaurant with soft, delicious sushi.
- Gyukatsu Kyoto Katsugyu Harumi Triton: Famous for its gyukatsu (deep-fried beef cutlet) served with egg sauce.
Cost: Around $30 (USD equivalent) per person per day, totaling around $210 (USD equivalent)
Dining Tips:
- Larger restaurants often use iPads or automated machines to take orders (usually with multiple language options).
- Otherwise, simply point to the menu or show a picture. When you're done, ask for the bill and pay at the counter.
Other Useful Tips
- Utilize lockers at train stations to store luggage when between accommodations. Prices range from 400-900 yen depending on size. Payment is accepted with Suica. There is no time limit for leaving luggage during the day.
- To get a tax refund on souvenirs, purchases must be over 5,000 yen, and you must present your passport.
- If you plan to follow my itinerary, prepare for a lot of walking. Condition yourself beforehand to avoid exhaustion, or cut down points if needed.
Additional Expenses
- Onsen + bike rental at Mount Fuji: Around $70 (USD equivalent)
- Souvenirs: I bought hand cream near Sensoji Temple, Namachoco at Haneda Airport, mochi, and other candies at Don Quijote, totaling nearly $80 (USD equivalent)
Final Thoughts
Traveling in June meant warm weather with sunny days and occasional showers, but overall, it was a beautiful time to explore and take photos. This first visit to the Land of the Rising Sun left a lasting impression. The culture and people were modern, fresh and unique. I'm already planning my return!
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