Solo trips

[thwysg]

For those of you who travel alone frequently, would you prefer to stay in hostels (budget trip) or business hotels? Would you do a short (< 7D) or long trip (21-30D or maybe more, 2-3 months)? From what I read online and in the HWZ forum, generally short ones for Asia.

Still thinking whether to do a budget one or stick to the usual for another solo Japan trip. I’ll need a room to myself as I’m a very light sleeper.

 

[Rolleing Stone]

Business hotels for me since I feel more rested staying in them. Not particularly interested in the socialization aspect/possibility of hostels.

I prefer trips of around 10-12 days. 1 week is kind of short unless it's just to chill in a place that you've already visited and like (e.g. Tokyo). Probably don't have the correct mindset nor planning skills about going for really extended trips of more than 3 weeks so it doesn't feel particularly exciting nor refreshing after the second week. Only thing good was that I get acclimatized to the dry air.

 

[dungeonalley]

I would go for business hotels/airbnb - socializing not my type of tea. I like to slow down and really stay at one place to just soak in the culture. so 2 weeks sounds about right. Unless you have plans to travel through the whole Japan.

I'm going 1 week to Hiroshima-Kansai though, that's cause i've been there and just want to visit some other places which I didnt managed to cover the other time.

 

[GetaBlue]

My upcoming 3rd trip to Japan next month. all 3 solo, OTOT

1st trip 4 years ago, Tokyo+Yokohama - 8D7N
stayed budget hostel Khaosan Ninja (closed down already, sgd 46+/night) was fun as many like minded budget travellers to talk to.
stayed one night business hotel near Tsukiji (wake up early go auction) sgd 112

2nd Japan trip, 1 year after, Nagoya, Kyoto, Osaka - 8D7N
mission for this trip, bullet train, took from Nagoya to Kyoto then Osaka back to Nagoya
kyoto stayed khaosan grp hostel and osaka and nagoya stayed business hotel

upcoming trip - Tokyo only, next month again 8D7N
will be staying at this unique hostel Book and Bed at Ikebukuro (sgd 50+ per night) while final night staying at a cheap single room hotel Kinuya, sgd 86 - its at Ueno, easier to shop for last min souvenir, final packing and next morning straight to Narita for morning flight.

conclusion, hostel in Japan relatively clean and safe. for Solo travelers the reception provides tons of information for travelers.

 

[chemcutie]

Me i go ard 1 weeks and stay at business hotel (toyoko inn my best fren in japan)

I dun normally go 20+days to a place unless there’s a motive.
I did sabbatical there (okazaki learn Japanese) for 3 months-cos visa free max amt of time. This period I stayed in accommodation (studio) that the school owns. I travels out on weekends and did some trips the school offer (with fees of cos)

 

[Wood41]

Running all over Japan solo / Toyoko Inn.
8-10 days.
1 more incoming autumn Nov 2017 & another 1 more winter trips in Feb 2018.

 

[thwysg]

I don’t intend to stay put in just one location. My solo trip 15D14N this year was a mix of business hotels (¥7,500-¥15,000 per night) and two good hotels (~¥25,000 per night) in onsen towns. JR hotels and Dormy Inn.

No Airbnb for me, am thinking of trying out serviced apartments, hostels and minshuku, at least can cook one’s meals should I go for long trips. Have planned couple of itineraries to visit places that are not near cities. So it might mean going back to either minshuku or business hotels (small towns which do not have hostels) and ryokans in onsen towns again.

And yes, am considering longer trips since the visa permit is for maximum 3 months.

 

[anyhowsaysay]

I like long trips since i can cover more areas.
1 week not enough to cover both Tokyo and Kyoto.
These two areas must go for me every trip

Min 2 weeks so can cover those two cities. Ideally if got time i think 4 weeks is quite good.
Too long cannot afford. 2-3 months will cost quite a lot.

Hostel or Hotels. For me, Hotel because i think sleeping is very important.
Good hotels generally provide very ideal sleeping environment (Noise isolation, beds etc).
Also hotel got concierge and laundry services

 

[Wood41]

Concierge for what ?
Even Toyoko Inn / capsule hotels have laundry.
Save my $$ .

 

[BigMonkey]

Concierge for what ?
Even Toyoko Inn / capsule hotels have laundry.
Save my $$ .

concierge is good if that want to visit restaurant that speak little english and assist in obtaining admission ticket to certain venue. ( provided you gave ample time to obtain tickets) above is just two example.

also keeping your luggage.

 

[Wood41]

My incoming Kansai autumn trip with Toyoko Inn Osaka costs Yen 56xx to 77xx a night with
laundry / luggage storage .

 

[thwysg]

Everyone has a different travel budget. I’ve used hotel laundry services when there’s no coin laundry nearby. I’ve also used the coin laundromats at the business hotels when staying in small towns. It boils down how comfortable you are with your budget. I have friends who travel only when they get the cheapest airfare deals they could find, stay budget hotels and eat cheaply.

A concierge is very useful especially when we forward luggage and sometimes they actually have way more information on hand e.g. local bus schedules. Got one when I was asking about certain attractions around the town.

Have been trying years to get friends to go to Japan together but they are all not willing to spend or go due to radiation. Instead they opt for places like BKK, Korea and Taiwan. Which explains why I simply go ahead either on my own or with the mister.

 

[Wood41]

Sure some do want more services & pay more.

Worth another S$100-$200 a night more ?
I do not stay in hotel rooms even up to 8 hours a day. No time for gym / jacuzzi like at my home condo.
My room is for luggage storage/ clean up / sleep / hanging laundry.
Many data & info are online.

A concierge is very useful especially when we forward luggage and sometimes they actually have way more information on hand e.g. local bus schedules. Got one when I was asking about certain attractions around the town.
.

 

[anyhowsaysay]

Concierge for what ?
Even Toyoko Inn / capsule hotels have laundry.
Save my $$ .

For booking restaurants.
Some restaurants are very hard to book. phone line always busy.

 

[FireEmblem]

Everyone different budget and room amenities tolerance how to compare? personally I stay the below 5000yen per room per night range but most people not comfortable with this budget range accommodation type

 

[James Tang]

Travelling alone gives more freedom on choosing the lodging. It all depends on your needs, as well as location. There are so many choices, minshoku, minbaku (AirBnB), capsule, business hotels, hostels, apartments (both short and long term; however shortest usually not fewer than 5 nights), onsen hotels, normal hotels and highend hotels.

The first question would be: what is your budget. I, for one, will never stay in hostels and capsules. To me, security and comfort would be paramount. When I walked whole day outside I need a comfortable bed and room to rest and sleep.


For my solo Tokyo trip 2 weeks' back, I booked AirBnB in Shibuya/Shinjuku area. First time staying and found it to be very enjoyable as you got to meet others from different cultures (One from USA and one from Isreal) and breakfast in the morning could be interesting. Also chatting with host is also enjoyable. And the pricing is just 1/3 of what we have paid for a hotel with ultra small room nearby (NishiShinjuku) a while back.

For my other solo trips (not in Japan but in various countries), I have stayed in hotels of various grades (3 - 5 stars) and found that for a solo traveller, we do not need a very big room as long as the bed is comfortable (at least a queen size) and with proper hot water for bathing. I have stayed in suites before and I found it to be not required cause you don't even utilise the space.

That's just me cause I will put my budget into good food instead of super nice rooms

 

[Halo green]

I’ll always go for business hotel. After a Long day I hope to return to a room which is comfy

 

[Wood41]

Do those who pay more go to hotel gym / pools ?

 

[darkmatt]

solo trips, airbnb and hotels for me. all below 7k/night

 

[xiaosinsinful]

Hey guys thinking of enbarking in a solo trip to Japan (first time there). Just wanted your opinion on whether to go Tokyo/Osaka or trip to Hokkaido in may 2018. for solo is it visible to drive around for ease of Travelling in Hokkaido? Also thinking of going around 10 days in all what's the Budget like? Mostly spend on food and entertainment/site seeing. for staying don't mind if it's not fancy just a clean room with hot shower is fine, although I still would love to experience a open concept Osen hopefully with a good view.

For those who went on their solo trip don't mind can pm me your iternary. I am open to all suggestions.