Ohitorisama. This Japanese word means “party for one” – a celebration of being solo.

And, with the rise and rise of the solo and single traveller, the Japan National Tourism Organisation sees the synergies.

For it is perfectly acceptable – normal – to venture alone into standing sushi bars, stay in small single rooms in capsule hotels and even sing “karaoke for one”.

A JNTO spokesperson says: “The concept of spending time alone has been somewhat of a cultural evolution in Japan, spurred by younger generations and a nation with one of the world’s highest rates of single-dweller households.

“This is the ultimate destination for independent travellers keen to embrace the Japanese version of ‘me time’.

“For solo travellers ready to combine cultural immersion and superb scenery with a journey of self-discovery, personal freedom and the chance to pursue their passions, Japan ticks all the boxes.”

And the JNTO team has identified these seven reasons that Japan is ideal for solo travellers, in their own words …

It’s super safe

Japan consistently ranks among the top 10 countries in the world for safety, and with a lively entertainment scene and fantastic public transport, you won’t be alone exploring after dark or travelling by train.

Cute capsule hotels

Don’t need much space? Just somewhere clean, compact and convenient to lay your head? Then check out one of Japan’s many capsule hotels, which often also include communal spaces to connect with fellow solo travellers, speedy wi-fi, luggage storage spaces and tasty snacks. There are also female-only capsule hotels or female-only floors in both capsule and more conventional hotels for women travelling independently.

Adventures after dark

From tachinomi (standing bars) serving local beer, sake and affordable snacks, to the rise of single-person karaoke parlours such as 1Kara in response to growing demand from those who want to belt out a tune or two on their own terms in the privacy of their own booth, Japan’s nightlife offers diverse options for individual travellers. independent travellers.

Memorable meals

There’s no stigma attached to dining solo in Japan, in fact, there are style of dining specifically designed for it. From standing sushi bars, known as tachigui, where solo diners can enjoy authentic, affordable sushi to ramen restaurants where diners sit side-by-side between partitions watching the chefs in action, there’s no need to miss out on a magnificent meal if you’re travelling solo. Even yakiniku restaurants have evolved to welcome solo diners by adding personal grills at the counter to cook your own sizzling cuts, whilst conveyor belt venues make it easy to mingle with fellow diners.

Slick public transport

Japan’s train network is second to none: clean, reliable and on time, literally down to the second. You can easily navigate to the right station entrance with Google Maps and pay using your phone by downloading the Welcome Suica Mobile app (iPhone only).

Cultural experiences

From art galleries and museums to temples and creative classes in everything from calligraphy and lacquerware to silk painting and sushi-making, there are endless cultural and historic activities to enjoy as a solo traveller, and many are free.

Wellness for one

Onsen bathing is delightful as a solo activity, providing an opportunity to enjoy the serenity and focus on self-care and wellness. Most onsen offer single-sex bathing options, and some ryokan and onsen towns also allow bathers to book a kashikiri buro (private bath) for the ultimate solo soak. If you have a tattoo, no worries, there are tattoo friendly onsens too.

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When I heard that my favorite cousin was planning a family reunion halfway across the country, I was super excited to RSVP “yes.” My only hesitation: I’d just welcomed a baby four months earlier, and I wasn’t ready to leave him behind. I knew it would take planning and preparation to pull off traveling with a baby by myself.

Enter eight life-saving travel companions that helped me fly from Florida to Chicago on my own with an infant and as few bumps in the road, er, sky as possible. As a mom of six, I had some ideas about what I’d need: a car seat travel bag that didn’t break the bank (or my back), a truly fashionable (I swear!) nursing tank I wore throughout my entire trip, hair products that pulled together my look (even when I only had one free arm), and more. I highly recommend checking out these must-haves for the next time you take a trip with a tot sans an extra set of helping hands.

Infant Car Seat Travel Bag

I decided my baby would travel as a lap child, since he’s so small and I was likely to hold and breastfeed him often during the flight. I checked my car seat—there was no way I could carry it on my own to the plane, especially with the base, and we’d need it for transport from the airport to where we were staying.

This universal infant car seat travel bag was easy to use and stood up well to the bag-checking process at the airport on both sides of our journey. The low price is also a win, since I don’t know if I’ll end up reusing it.

Infantino Flip Advanced Baby Carrier 

I wasn’t feeling the vibe of using a travel stroller on my own, so I used this baby carrier that I’d recommend to any parent. First, consider that the Infantino Flip Advanced Carrier is a serious bargain at under $50, when many carriers are prohibitively expensive. 

Weeks later, I’m still having flashbacks to my kid’s spit-up and diaper accidents, but they’re not evident on the carrier, which is machine washable. It also features multiple positions I could use when my guy was sleeping, and when he wanted to face out and do some people watching at the airport.

HelloBaby Video Monitor

This video monitor packed up well and had good range when I was on the patio enjoying a meal while my baby slept inside my cousin’s home. Although I brought the charging cord on the trip, it also features solid battery life. 

I agree with one reviewer who said, “Love this monitor. We bought it to use around the house and while traveling. Very easy to set up, picture quality is good. And we can hear the baby clearly.” What more can you ask for?

Knuckleheads Infant Baseball Cap 

I can’t say enough good things about this alternative to a bucket hat for a baby’s sun protection. The adorable trucker hat stays on so much better than any other hat I’ve tried, fitting securely over my little one’s head while keeping him safe from the sun, and even a sprinkle of rain.

We got several compliments on the hat while traveling. I’ll also assure parents that the hat washes well since I learned it is possible for my son to get spit up on his head.

Skims Fits Everybody Maternity Nursing Tank 

I live in these things, if I’m being honest, and own several colors. So naturally, I brought several of my Skims breastfeeding tanks on my trip, and wore them under jackets and button-downs. I was able to nurse my baby on the plane, and everywhere in between, discreetly and without sacrificing my style, since the tanks are seamless and don’t show under clothing. 

P.S. They are also comfortable for working out and sleeping in! 

Primasole Fold-up Yoga Mat

I love this find so much, I bought one for my sister who travels a lot with her small kids. Why? The mat, which comes in a variety of fun colors, folds up small enough to fit in a carry-on bag, and offers a convenient solution for a busy parent like me who still wants to fit in a workout. 

Pro tip: The mat also doubled as a play mat for my baby to roll around on when we were away from home.

DAE Styling Cream + Frizz Taming Hair Wand 

During the trip, I didn’t have much time to shower or get ready (although plenty of relatives offered to hold him at various points, I was still short on alone time). This sweet-scented taming wand saved me for a dressy family party. It’s small and provides quick polish to any style, even when you only have one hand to work with, while the other wrangles a drooly baby!

Not Your Mother’s Dry Shampoo 

During my trip, I ended up buying dry shampoo after it proved to be so challenging to get time to wash my hair. I love this well-priced and pleasantly fragranced option by Not Your Mother’s. I achieved clean hair even though all I had a chance to do was rinse off in the shower while an aunt got in her baby cuddles. While I bought a full-size bottle, it comes in a mini, travel-friendly option that I plan to purchase ahead of my next adventure.

Living in New York City comes with endless perks, but the one thing it always seems to be lacking is space. Quiet is a close second. So when I was searching for Airbnbs to stay in during a weekend trip to Charlottesville, Virginia, for a dear friend’s baby shower, the apartments and townhouses directly in the college town didn’t have much appeal. For that reason—and to be closer to some of the wineries my travel buddy and I wanted to visit—I expanded our search to include the wider Charlottesville area, and came across this gem of a property in Crozet, about a 35-minute drive away from the Downtown Mall.

To reach the rustic two-bedroom cottage, situated on a 400-acre farm, we drove down a long, unpaved dirt road—I’ll admit, a bigger car, or one with four-wheel drive, would have been nice, but ultimately wasn’t necessary so long as we drove slowly. Upon arrival, we could just barely make out the yellow house further down the road where the host family lives—it really felt like we were on our own endless stretch of land surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains. The sounds of birds chirping and cicadas buzzing were the soundtrack of the weekend; it couldn’t have been more serene.

The home has a bit of a summer camp feel to it, with a badminton net out front (rackets can be found inside, near the wood stove) and a hammock, grill, and Adirondack chairs surrounding a firepit in the back. It’s the perfect place for slow, lazy mornings soaking up nature, sipping a cup of coffee while reading a good book on the screened-in porch. There’s an easel, canvas, and paints available for those feeling creative, and a shelf of board games and puzzles in the front hall closet. Given the remote nature of the property (the nearest general store is about a 15-minute drive away), if you plan to cook, you’ll want to stop somewhere bigger on the way in for provisions.

The host family has taken care to show off the area, with QR codes directing guests to playlists of local bluegrass music and a comprehensive guidebook with food, drink, and activity recommendations; we consulted it before heading to Pro Re Nata for pizza and live music, and were not disappointed.

For those looking to visit some of the area’s many, many wineries (as we were), you’re an easy drive away—we stopped by Stinson Vineyards, just down the road, before making our way closer to Charlottesville for the views, apple cider donuts, and Bold Rock cider at Carter Mountain Orchard.

Back inside our little weekend abode, there’s a cohesive hodgepodge of vintage furniture and decor—funky armchairs and layers of rugs that add a coziness to the space, Architectural Digest magazines from the ’80s, a coffee table that may or may not have once been a drum. There are two bedrooms, one on either floor, one bathroom downstairs, and a small office upstairs if work calls or the inspiration to write strikes (the desk is positioned right in front of a window overlooking the mountains). It’s a perfectly cozy space for two, though you could sleep up to four across the two rooms; past guests seem to include a mix of couples, small families, and groups of girlfriends.

The one thing we sadly missed: a chance to say hi to the family’s pony, Sampson, who roams the property along with two sheep (we did spot a herd of cows up the hill). All the more reason to make a return visit the next time I’m craving some peace and quiet.

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