How I Survived Traveling Solo in Japan

WARNING: If you hate lengthy, dramatic, "over acting" blog, then skip this one. :)

This post is about how someone from the third world country managed to travel solo (for the first time)  in a modern yet traditional country, Japan.

Yes, I did when I thought I couldn't... I never really imagined traveling solo, I didn't want to, but I needed to. I'm supposed to travel with a friend but she got so busy she didn't make it. I invited other friends too but due to some reasons they're not able to make it too. I'm a little introvert here I didn't have so many acquaintances to invite, so I hold on to this quote. "Traveling alone will be the scariest, most liberating, life changing experience of your life, Try it at least once". This inspired me.

Honestly, I had sleepless nights after I booked my flight questioning if I can really do it.. I absolutely don't know anyone in Japan. I don't mind being solo but I'm being more concern about what if I get sick unexpectedly, like stomach upsets or something rather than getting lost literally. But as what I kept on reminding myself, being able to see the Sakura Trees is greater than my fear..chos!. I've attempted to see Cherry Blossoms in Beijing and in Taiwan , but I was not able to catch them there.. This time I can't let it pass and wait for another year..

I've read a lot about Japan, watched so many Vlogs -- from how complicated their train system, where to eat (halal foods), even to the usage of their intimidating toilets (lol..). I've read also articles written by female solo travelers who had been to Japan and it helped me a lot.

At first glance of their train system, it was nerve wracking.. It's way much complicated from the other countries I've been, but I can't let it outsmart me.

I've booked most of my transportation passes via Klook. JR West pass, One and Two-day Osaka Pass, One way bullet train from Osaka to tokyo, 72hour Tokyo Subway train, a Suica Card and Skyliner from Ueno to Narita. I picked up all of these (except for skyliner)  in Osaka Airport. I've also reserved my bullet train at JR station (kansai airport) to secure a window seat. I picked up also the Sim card for my internet.

I used my JR west pass in my airport transfer to Tennoji Station via Haruka Train. Then from Tennoji, I transferred to Subway train using my One day Pass going to the nearest station of my Hostel. At Shinsaibashi station, the nearest exit to my hostel is no 7, but unfortunately I couldn't find it, I was circling around for about 15 minutes. I was asking but they didn't know as well.. see, how how tough that is? even locals are having hard time knowing the right way! haha.. The subway personnel manning the station knew it but you can only find them in the entry/exit section. I had a hard time looking for the right exit because of the on going renovation at the station. And when I finally found it, I headed to the wrong way naman, the google map pointing me at other exit it confused me. haha.. I frequently travel but this was my first time to use Google Map. It's getting dark and really cold too and I still could't find my way to the Hostel, not to mention me carrying my luggage and a backpack, and a sling bag. Yes because Japan's temperature is around 10degrees, I brought jackets / coats, and I packed the lightest I could (pero mabigat pa rin) .

When I realized I headed the wrong way, I went back to exit 7, my hostel is at the other way pala.


Then I arrived at my Hostel. The receptionist was so accommodating. Glad there's a vending machine at the Lobby I badly needed water at that time hehe.. Took my shoes off and went to our room. I got to choose my bed. There's a Taiwanese girl in the room when I entered, we had a quick chat and she even gave me a sort of cookie from Taiwan (napaghalata ata nyang gutom na ako hehe). That was my first time to get a bed in a hostel where I need to join other backpackers. Knowing Japan, it would be very expensive to get a private room. There's a curtain anyway on my bedspace that made it a lil private though.

After resting a bit, I went out to explore Dotonbori, it's just walking distance from my Hostel.. so near and yet so far too because once again, I was lost. Haha... The google map saved my life kahit pa ang labo nya minsan . hehe

I woke up early the next day. Took a picture of our common area, sat at the Japanese table while eating my baon na skyflakes.. haha

Before heading to Universal Studios, I visited Sakuranomiya Park. Diko alam bat sa maling exit nanaman ako dumaan.. haha. There's a location map on every station but I'm too excited to get out didn't bother to take a look. And as mentioned, you'll get carried away (palabas) along with these fast pacing Japanese people. I asked a local (na medyo kahawig ni Rukawa hehe) which way to the park. I was so overwhelmed seeing the Sakura Trees, for the first time up-close.

(Dalagang Pilipina yeah?!) haha

I arrived at Universal Studios, shortly after it opened. I was hungry, what I did is to eat on the the first Resto I saw in USJ. (healthy heathyhan ang peg).

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Be prepared on the queue for this ride.

It was fun but I got bored a little and too lazy to line up on other activities. Maybe Theme Parks are not really for me. . I enjoyed the Harry potter ride though... but lining up that long , now i'm thinking twice. (this goes for me ;)

I did'n't wait for the sun goes down in USJ I decided to take a quick stroll in Kyoto. It was unplanned but I'm desperate to step on every places I heard only in Samurai X. Hehe

The next day, I had a morning walk to Osaka Castle. 

Went back to my hostel to get my things and catched my 2pm Shinkansen train to Tokyo. I chose the Nozomi train which is the fastest. The view from the train is already a scene. Cherry blossoms, the houses that resemble those what we can see in movies and cartoons only. . Yung mapapaisip kang "san kaya bahay nila Doraemon at Nobita dito". Hehe. 

Arrived in Tokyo station, about 2.5 hours after. I transferred to a Subway Train to Shinjuku Higashi station.. And this time, my problem was, which exit to take? It wasn't indicated on the google map.. So I just picked a guess. . And tadan!! It was the wrong exit again.. Haha.. According to google map, I'm out of the route.. I unintentionally chose the farthest exit to my Hostel. Some subway stations don't have escalator, so get your energy and muscle ready on lifting your baggage. This is the reason why no matter how tempting to shop in Shinsaibashi Night Market,I didn't take a look, Because I can't take the taxi, it could be so expensive I can buy another round trip ticket.. Seriously.

Then I found my hostel. One of my roommate is an Australian girl, we talked a little before I left for dinner on a nearby Pepper Lunch. I was tired but I can't ruin my itinerary. It was past 7pm that I decided to experience crossing one of busiest intersection in the world, the Shibuya crossing. yep, I tried crossing round trip.. Hehe

Nearby is just the statue of Hachico who is so star studded I can't get a selfie. Haha 

On the next day, I joined a day trip for Mount Fuji Viewing ... I availed it in Klook also.

Our meet up is in Prince Shinjuku Hotel which is just walking distance from our Hostel... At first, I could get a perfect score in following Mr. Google Map, but when I reached a spot with more alleys and intersections, medyo na lost nanaman ako.. Haha.. Minsan kase delay yung actual locator sa map, napapadpad ako sa maling landas. Haha 

Boarded in our Bus,  I was on the window seat, syempre mag isa lang ako, walang kaagaw haha. I enjoyed the scenery.

We first tried Matcha Tea( which I didn't like kase mapait, not really fan of any type of tea, except Iced Tea haha).

The Mount Fuji. Stars on my eyes when I saw it. We're too lucky to get this chance because sometimes Mr. Fuji is too shy to show up, sabi nila. In the afternoon, it was already covered with clouds.

Fujisan World Heritage. Here we watched a short video on how the Mount Fuji evolved thru the years.

The lovely small town of Oshino hakkai.

The Bus ride..

Our tour ended up somewhere in Shinjuku area, I passed by and entered Don Quixote just out of curiosity (wala naman akong nabili)..

On my fifth day, I just explored Tokyo.

A mother and her daughter are having their picture here (above) ,  medyo naiinggit ako so asked them if they can "picture" me too hehe... The mom told me to smile more. .

Picture above is taken by my favorite stranger photographer. I was surprised when he counted in a loud and snappy voice as if he's commanding me to smile "3-2-1 hai" 4 times for 4 pictures. Maybe he's a soldier and I tried not to burst a laugh.  He made my day. Haha

A couple took this one. 

My last destination that day was in Senoji Temple. I've been wanting to eat in Naritaya Halal Ramen, it's just few steps away according to my google map.. But my legs could hardly move. Lam mo yun, yung spirit ko gusto pang gumala but my aching feet refused to...

My 6th day was my flight back home. It was raining, wow, why now, (I mean that time) .. how can I get to the airport? At first I was dismayed, with my baggage again plus the rain, how can I even reach the nearest station? Then I became positive.. I remembered I had an umbrella on my luggage and told myself. . "pasalamat ka ngayon lang umulan, pauwi kana".. When I reached Davao, my umbrella is still wet, I don't want to dry it.. "ulan pa kaya to ng Tokyo.. Haha, souvenir din to.. "

So overall, I can say this trip was successful. My preparation was like I'm going to take another board exam, and the actual examination was the actual trip, that if I get myself home safe and sound then I passed! and so I did. I got lost many times despite how I studied the map and transportation scheme... Almost all of the places on my itinerary has been ticked, Kyoto is a plus. But I wasn't able to eat Takoyaki in Dotonbori and the Halal Ramen in Tokyo/Osaka, all because my legs and feet are really hurting (ang daming lakaran). Imagine me walking so slowly at the later part of my days while everyone surrounds me are really walking fast... (lagi silang nagmamadali particularly sa mga train stations, kelangan mong tumabi tabi baka masagasaan ka haha).

As a first time solo traveler, what are my precautions? I purchased ahead all the possible train passes to avoid lining up on the vending machine (at baka mag ingnorante pa ako haha). I planned things delicately, I knew 6days won't get me around to the marked and popular places in Japan but since it's my first time it would be safely enough (I can go back confidently now ;) inshaAllah). I went extra early to the Shinkansen Train Stations and Airport (mahirap ng maiwan, ang mahal pa naman ng pamasahe hehe). I packed light as light as I could, some train stations don't have elevators/escalator, and you need to walk a lot. I brought variety of medicines hehe (mahirap magkasakit dun!, diko kilala mga gamot dun), glad I never used one.. No, meron pala, I took bonamine before my Shinkansen train trip, medyo mahiluin kase ako sa byahe. I enjoyed my window seat (inantok nga lang). And having connected to the internet is a must. Google Map is life.

For those who asked about who took my pictures-- in mount Fuji, our Tour guide offered to take it.  I've also asked different strangers in all races to get me a picture, and they were all willing to help. I brought also a selfie/tripod with me.

So what's so life changing and liberating with all of these?

Traveling alone made me trust myself more, to take extra cautious coz I know no one's gonna save me there (in case). I realized too that I enjoyed being on my own than be with other people that I'm not comfortable with. The truth was, I felt more alone when I joined the group tour to Mount Fuji, I tried to mingle but not too long, ako lang yung alone and they preferred to stick with their company too)...

I had fun walking around to every unknown place, like everything on every corner is a beauty. I didn't mind how many mistakes I made on the train and station I got into. Little things amazed me, the mountain with those unusual trees (for me) ,and ofcourse the Cherry  Blossom trees, the view of mount Fuji and the lakes during the bus ride, the city lights, the different landscapes, the mixture of modern and traditional Japanese life. Felt happy screaming on the Harry Potter ride, while the kid sitting next to me didn't make any noise... It could be that he experienced it for the nth time or O. A lang ako.  Haha..

Being alone could drive us to do things we don't usually do, asking favor to strangers to take your photo (lol), talk to strangers (ofcourse) and at least ask them where they came from (mas naalala ko pa ngayon kung saang bansa sila galing kesa mismong name nila) , I have to admit that I don't appear so nice and friendly I told you I'm such an introvert!  ,but in this trip, I suddenly became extra friendly... Or maybe the goodness of the Japanese people are so contagious. I could swear they're so accommodating. The immigration officers are not intimidating or baka nachambahan ko lang (pwede naman pala maging mabait ang I.O, bakit pinamulat satin ng mga I.O natin na dapat suplado't suplada sila?.. haha). The driver's crossing on small alleys will let you pass first, the traffic enforcers (most of them are old) will smile at you. Almost everyone is so welcoming and respectful I never felt afraid on this foreign country.

Now, I'm so proud of myself haha. This experience is truly fulfilling.

P.S. I'm so proud of you too in case you reached the bottom part of my blaag, blog rather hehe..That means you're patient as I am.. I'm not so good at writing, I just love doing it.. (though recently, I'm being lazy, I just felt obligated now... haha).. and this is being  customized and hidden to some, if you can see it.. then you must be either lucky or sorry. haha.. Thank you.