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Japan - August 2023

My most ambitious solo trip yet!

I took a two-week solo trip to Japan in August and September 2023. With true long haul flights and a significant language gap, it was my most ambitious adventure yet. And it was wonderful! Japan is a fascinating blend of ancient and modern, and one of the easiest countries to get around in. It's also a solo traveler's dream - hotels and restaurants are set up for solo guests, and you'll never feel like the only person around who's not in a big loud group! I'll be adding blog posts soon with more about my trip....stay tuned!

Pro Tip for Japan

You can now load a mobile Suica or Pasmo transport card onto your iPhone! You don't even need cell service or wifi to use it to pay for almost all public transport - just touch the phone to the fare gate and go!

My Japan Itinerary

Day 1 - Arrive in Tokyo

Day 3 - Tokyo & Train to Kyoto

Day 1 - Arrive in Tokyo

Flying from the East Coast of the US, my 14 hour direct flight landed just after 3:00 PM at Tokyo's Haneda International Airport. After claiming my luggage and getting through customs  I took the Tokyo Monorail into the city and checked into my hotel near Tokyo Station.

Day 2 - Tokyo

Day 3 - Tokyo & Train to Kyoto

Day 1 - Arrive in Tokyo

Senso-ji Temple Tokyo solo trip to Japan

I started my first full day in Tokyo early at Sensoji Temple, then headed to the Tokyo National Museum in Ueno Park.   I checked out a beer festival in Ueno Park, and took a walking tour of Yanaka - Tokyo's old town.


Day 3 - Tokyo & Train to Kyoto

Day 3 - Tokyo & Train to Kyoto

Day 3 - Tokyo & Train to Kyoto

Shinkansen bullet train Tokyo solo trip to Japan

I walked around Tokyo Station to get oriented for my afternoon train to Kyoto, and took pictures  in the park near the Imperial Palace. I took the Shinkansen to Kyoto and visited 

Rengeō-in (Sanjūsangen-dō) Temple to see the 1000 gold Kanon statues in person.

Day 4 - Uji

Day 5 - Kyoto

Day 3 - Tokyo & Train to Kyoto

Byodo-in Temple Uji Japan Solo Trip

 I took a day trip to the famous Tea town of Uji, near Kyoto. I saw Byodo-in Temple, snacked on gyoza on the Uji Omotesando , and visited the islands and shrines around the Uji River. In the afternoon I took to the local train a few stops and relaxed with the locals at the Genji No Yu onsen

Day 5 - Kyoto

Day 5 - Kyoto

Day 5 - Kyoto

Maiko Makeover Kyoto solo trip to Japan

Today I had fun being transformed into a Maiko, and had my photo taken in full makeup and kimono! In the evening I took a small group tour to explore food and culture in the Gion district.

Day 6 - Kyoto

Day 5 - Kyoto

Day 5 - Kyoto

Kiyomizu-dera city view  Kyoto Japan Solo Trip

I spent this day exploring the temples and shrines of Kyoto's  Higashiyama district, visiting  Kiyomizudera, , Kodai-ji Temple, Yasaka Shrine, and the Sannenzaka & Ninenzaka neighborhoods.   In the evening I checked out the views from Kyoto Tower and the top of Kyoto Station.

Day 7 - Kinosaki Onsen

Day 7 - Kinosaki Onsen

Day 7 - Kinosaki Onsen

Kinosaki Onsen Town Japan Solo Travel

I took a day trip to Kinosaki Onsen, a 1300-year-old onsen town famous for its 7 public baths. I visited four of the baths, took a ride on the ropeway for a view of the town, and walked back downhill through a peaceful forest dotted with small shrines.

Day 8 - Hiroshima

Day 7 - Kinosaki Onsen

Day 7 - Kinosaki Onsen

Hiroshima Carp Baseball Game Japan Solo Travel

Today I took the Shinkansen to Hiroshima, arriving around mid-day, and headed over to Mazda Zoom Zoom Stadium for my first taste of Japanese baseball!

Day 9 - Hiroshima

Day 7 - Kinosaki Onsen

Day 10 - Hiroshima

Hiroshima Castle Japan Solo Travel

 This morning I toured Hiroshima Castle and tried on Samurai armor! I had lunch at McDonalds (gotta try it in every country!) and took in a second Hiroshima Carp baseball game.

Day 10 - Hiroshima

Day 12 - Train to Tokyo

Day 10 - Hiroshima

Mazda Museum Factory Miata Japan Solo Travel

   This afternoon I took a tour of the Mazda Museum and Factory, where my own Miata was manufactured back in 1994. I saw antique Mazdas, new Mazda technology, a cute Mazda fire truck, and a giant ship getting ready to take brand new Mazdas to their new homes overseas.

Day 11 - Miyajima

Day 12 - Train to Tokyo

Day 12 - Train to Tokyo

Miyajima Torii Itsukutshima Japan Solo Travel

I took a day trip to see Miyajima Island, saw the famous Itsukutshima Shrine and its floating Torii Gate, had a delicious oyster lunch and rode the ropeway up Mt. Misen in the rain. 

Day 12 - Train to Tokyo

Day 12 - Train to Tokyo

Day 12 - Train to Tokyo

Shinkansen Green Car Japan Solo Travel

Today was an easy day, with just a four hour ride in the first class Green Car on the Shinkansen back to Tokyo. I had a tasty bento for lunch and enjoyed the views of the Japanese coastline. 

Day 13 - Tokyo

Day 15 - Return to US

Day 13 - Tokyo

Art Aquarium Museum Ginza Japan Solo Travel

  This morning I visited the Art Aquarium Museum and shopped for Japanese fashion in the upscale Ginza neighborhood. In the late afternoon I headed to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building for great views of thunderstorms over the city as the sun set.

Day 14 - Tokyo

Day 15 - Return to US

Day 13 - Tokyo

Tokyo Dome Giants Japan Solo Travel

 Despite the pouring rain from an incoming typhoon, I took time this morning to go souvenir shopping on Nakamise-dori by Sensoji Temple. In the afternoon I chilled out at LaQua Super Sento close to the Tokyo Dome, and then attended a Tokyo Giants baseball game. 

Day 15 - Return to US

Day 15 - Return to US

Haneda Airport Observation Deck Japan Solo Travel

  My flight back to the U.S. was delayed a couple of hours, so I spent some extra time at Haneda International Airport.  After stowing my luggage in a locker I enjoyed a delicious lunch, did some very successful souvenir shopping, and checked out the outdoor observation deck.

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