Why I Chose to Solo Travel in Tokyo
Booking a solo trip to Tokyo was one of the best choices I made in 2025. Let me preface this by saying I don’t like waiting in lines, I don’t love being in crowds, and excessive noise bothers me. That said, this was one of the most peaceful and mindful trips I’ve ever taken. The decision to solo travel in Tokyo was a spur-of-the-moment decision (I found an awesome deal), and I quickly decided to create a budget Tokyo itinerary. Here are some thoughts that went into planning my solo adventure in Tokyo.
Getting Comfortable With Traveling Alone
I’ve seen a lot of posts from prospective travelers afraid to step out of their comfort zone and travel solo, and I advocate so much for solo travel. It’s always going to be intimidating at first, but pick the right destination and prep yourself ahead of time, and it can be such a refreshing way to travel. If you don’t know where to start, go see a movie alone, or go out for dinner solo and bring a book. Eventually, you’ll see that being alone doesn’t have to be lonely; it can be invigorating.
Why a Solo Adventure in Tokyo is Amazing
A trip to Tokyo for solo travelers could not be more fitting. Tokyo was designed for people doing things alone. While solitude is definitely one of the negative aspects of Tokyo’s heavy work culture, it has made it easy for introverts and those traveling alone to navigate Tokyo without having to communicate more than they’re comfortable.
Dining Alone in Tokyo Is Easy
Virtually every restaurant I visited was virtually contactless, with kiosks and tablets for ordering and paying. Every single one also had an English option, so there were no miscommunications or misordering issues. The only restaurants I visited that had servers and cashiers were primarily in tourist-focused areas, so again, communication wasn’t really an issue.
My favorite benefit of traveling and dining solo? The wait at Kura Sushi was about 30 minutes for groups and pairs, but I got in within five minutes. Other spots like Marugame Udon, Coco Ichibanya, Ichiran, Sukiya, Matsuya, and many others didn’t have any wait.
Restaurant Seating Designed for Solo Diners
Another way that Tokyo was practically designed for solo travelers was in restaurant seating. I only visited one restaurant that had a more Western-style seating arrangement with booths and larger tables. Every other location was set up for solo diners, likely because many salarymen and locals tend to eat alone. Often, some of the tables even had partitions, making the space even more private.
Where to Stay for a Solo Adventure in Tokyo
If you’re traveling solo and like to socialize or just don’t like to actually be alone, pod hotels might work for you. There are a ton in Japan, and there’s a pod or hostel for every type of traveler. I’ve been tempted by a few; however, I managed to find a great deal at a more traditional hotel.
While single occupancy rooms are pretty hard to find (but not impossible) in America, overseas, they’re a lot more typical and can save you a lot of money. Make sure to always set your occupancy on searches to one traveler (search engines almost always default to two travelers, and this will usually filter out single rooms automatically).
Why Traveling Alone Can Be an Advantage
One thing I’ve noticed on many solo travels is that traveling alone can also help you get into places that would have been difficult otherwise. Shows that have single seats can easily accommodate solo travelers, as can theme park rides and attractions where time slots may have booked up for groups and couples.
Check out my whole solo travel adventure in Tokyo here!
Check out all my other Tokyo posts here!