How to Travel Japan in Seven Days: A Solo Traveller’s Guide

Photo by Evgeny Tchebotarev

Japan is a dream destination for solo travellers, offering a perfect blend of modern cities, ancient traditions, and unforgettable food experiences. I recently explored Kyoto, Tokyo, and Osaka over seven days, with side trips to Nara, Hiroshima, and Mount Fuji, and in this guide, I’ll show you how to do the same. From transport and accommodation tips to local food and cultural advice, this post is your ultimate Japan travel guide.

This guide also answers questions like “when travel to Japan,” “what are the unspoken rules of Japan,” “how much should I take for a week in Japan?”, and advice for travellers with tattoos or those travelling Japan without a visa.

For those interested in vegetarian travel, plant-based travel, and vegan travel destinations, this guide includes practical tips for solo and eco-conscious travellers.

Japan Travel Overview: Why Choose Japan for Travel

Japan is an exceptional choice for travellers seeking a mix of history, modernity, and cuisine. If you’re wondering why choose Japan for travel, here’s why:

• Efficient public transport, including the Shinkansen bullet trains.

• Safe streets and welcoming locals.

• Rich traditions alongside modern attractions.

• Diverse vegetarian and plant-based culinary options, ideal for vegetarian travel tips.

• Opportunities for eco-friendly travel and sustainable travel.

When to Travel Japan

Timing is key for a successful trip. I visited in January, which allowed me to enjoy attractions without crowds and benefit from lower prices. If you’re asking when travel Japan, here’s a guide:

• Cheapest months: January and February. Flights and accommodation are more affordable.

• Peak seasons: Spring (cherry blossom) and autumn (fall foliage) are stunning but busy and expensive.

• Weather: Winter is cold but manageable for sightseeing.

How Much Should I Take for a Week in Japan?

For a seven-day trip, I recommend £1,000–£1,500, including flights, accommodation, food, and activities. Here’s a rough breakdown:

Expense	Cost (GBP)	Notes
Flights	£400	Off-season deals from London Gatwick to Tokyo via Shanghai with Air China.
Accommodation	£450	Capsule hotel in Tokyo (£35/night), Hotel in Osaka (£70/night).
Transportation	£150–£200	JR Pass (Japan Rail Pass) and metro cards.
Food	£210–£280	£30–£40 per day for meals.
Activities	£100–£150	Tours, solo journeys to Nara and Mount Fuji.

Tip: Always carry extra cash or a Japan travel money card.

Flights & Airline Choices

I flew with Air China via London Gatwick (LGW) to Tokyo, connecting in Shanghai. Key points:

• Off-season flights in January cost around £400.

• No vegetarian meals on the LGW–PVG leg. Always confirm dietary requirements 24–48 hours before your flight through the reservation team or online, or eat before you go / bring something on board.

• For Japan travel from UK, compare airlines and flexible dates.

Getting Around Japan

Japan’s transport system is efficient and tourist-friendly:

• Tokyo: Subway and metro system.

• Osaka: Metro.

• Kyoto: Subway and buses.

• Intercity travel: JR Pass (Japan Rail Pass), covering most trains including Shinkansen.

• Budget alternative: Willer Express overnight buses (£30–£50 per journey).

Accommodation

For solo travellers, I only stayed in Tokyo and Osaka, and used day trips or short journeys to explore Kyoto, Nara, Hiroshima, and Mount Fuji. This approach saves time and simplifies logistics, while still allowing you to see multiple destinations without constantly moving hotels. Other travellers can follow the same strategy: choose one or two base cities and plan side trips to nearby attractions.

My Stays

• Tokyo: 9h Nine Hours Akasaka Sleep Lab (£35/night). Modern, central, and affordable, perfect for solo travellers who want a comfortable, minimalist base. Staying here made it easy to explore Shibuya, Shinjuku, and Asakusa without wasting time commuting.

Photo from 9h nine hours Akasaka sleep lab

• Osaka: Hotel Kansai (£70/night). Spacious and well-located near restaurants, Dotonbori, and Osaka Castle. This hotel served as a convenient hub for both city exploration and day trips to Nara and Hiroshima.

  
  

Alternative Options

• Kyoto: Instead of staying overnight, I travelled from Osaka for day trips. However, if you prefer to stay, there are plenty of ryokans and hotels in central Kyoto, ideal for exploring temples and experiencing traditional Japanese culture.

• Eco-conscious travellers can look for hotels with sustainable travel practices or capsule hotels that minimise environmental impact.

Tip: By staying in two main hubs, you can reduce accommodation costs, simplify transport, and still experience Japan’s key destinations efficiently.

Vegetarian & Plant-Based Food

Japan isn’t particularly well catered for vegetarians, but there are some opportunities to enjoy vegetarian travel, plant-based travel, and explore vegan travel destinations if you know where to look.

Tokyo

• Vegetable sushi rolls at sushi trains (kappa maki, avocado rolls, cucumber rolls).

• Vegetable ramen or miso ramen with tofu and mushrooms—ask carefully about the broth.

• Onigiri (rice balls) from convenience stores—look for plain, umeboshi (pickled plum), or seaweed fillings.

• Vegetable tempura—lightly battered fried vegetables served with dipping sauce.

• Tofu dishes at specialised tofu restaurants.

  
  

French toast with jam and Mascarpone

Osaka

• Okonomiyaki: Savoury pancakes with cabbage, green onions, and vegetarian toppings.

• Kushikatsu: Deep-fried vegetable skewers, like sweet potato, pumpkin, and mushrooms.

• Takoyaki (vegetable versions): Usually octopus-filled, but some shops offer corn or cabbage fillings.

• Street food in Dotonbori—grilled corn, sweet potato fries, or rice-based snacks.

Takoyaki (vegetable versions). This version was with corn and cheese, topped with seaweed flakes

Kyoto

• Kaiseki meals: Multi-course traditional meals with seasonal vegetables, tofu, and pickles.

• Vegetarian curry: Light, flavourful, often served with rice and seasonal vegetables.

• Shojin ryori: Buddhist temple cuisine, entirely plant-based, highlighting seasonal produce and tofu.

Vegetarian Curry

Vegetarian travel tip: Many dishes that look vegetarian may contain meat or fish products, such as brown bonito flakes on tofu. Most dishes cannot be easily altered, so always double-check ingredients or ask before ordering.

Activities & Experiences

Here’s a breakdown of what I actually did in each city, highlighting cultural experiences, food, and unique solo travel moments:

Kyoto

• Temples and Pagodas: Explore the city’s beautiful temples and historic pagodas. Don’t miss the iconic Golden Pavilion (Kinkaku-ji).

• Bamboo Forest: Wander through the serene Arashiyama Bamboo Grove for an unforgettable experience.

• Onsen: Relax in a traditional hot spring bath—perfect for solo travellers to unwind.

• Geisha Experience: Try dressing up as a Geisha and learn about traditional Japanese culture.

  
  

Optional Guided Experiences: You can book guided tours in Kyoto through GuruWalk Japan to get local insights and historical context.

Arashiyama Bamboo Grove

Tokyo

• Skytree: Visit Tokyo Skytree—book tickets in advance to avoid long queues.

• District Tours: Explore Shibuya, Shinjuku, Asakusa, and Akihabara for shopping, culture, and nightlife.

• Sushi Class: Learn to make sushi in a hands-on cooking session.

• Fortune Teller Experience: Visit a local fortune teller for a fun cultural insight.

• Hachikō Statue & Shibuya Crossing: Walk the famous crossroads and see the legendary Hachikō statue.

Book Tours & Experiences: For pre-planned activities, check Viator Japan Tours for convenient booking of guided tours and experiences.

Myself at Akihabara

Osaka

• Street Food Experiences: Try local vegetarian-friendly options like Okonomiyaki, Kushikatsu, and vegetable Takoyaki.

• Pokemon Centre: Explore for fun and souvenirs.

• Knife Experience: Learn about Osaka’s famous knives—their craftsmanship, history, and why they are highly valued.

• Tea Tasting Ceremony: Participate in a traditional tea ceremony—a memorable solo experience.

• Osaka Castle: Visit this iconic landmark to explore history and architecture.

  
  

  

  Tea Tasting Ceremony. You are normally given a sweet based on time of year along with making your own matcha tea

  
  

Sub-Destinations

• Nara: Feed the deer at Nara Park (be warned—the deer can be quite demanding if you carry food!). Visit Todai-ji Temple for its giant Buddha statue.

Deer at Nara Park

• Hiroshima: Visit Peace Memorial Park, take a ferry to Miyajima Island, and enjoy a Sake Tasting session to experience local flavours.

The Genbaku Dome in Hiroshima

• Mount Fuji: Take a solo journey by train to Mount Fuji Centre and enjoy the scenic surroundings.

Tip: This itinerary focuses on key experiences for solo travellers, giving a balance of culture, food, and iconic sightseeing without being rushed.

Japan Travel Tips for Solo Travellers

• Japan travel essentials: Power adapter, Suica card, comfortable shoes.

• Japan travel advice: Carry cash; some shops don’t accept cards.

• Unspoken rules of Japan: Queue etiquette, no loud phone conversations, remove shoes where required.

• Travel Japan with tattoos: Some onsens and gyms restrict tattooed guests.

• Japan travel without a visa: UK citizens can stay short-term (90 days).

Suggested 7-Day Japan Travel Itinerary

Day 1 – Tokyo: Arrive in Tokyo, visit the radio tower, explore Shibuya and Shinjuku, and enjoy dinner in Piss Alley.

Day 2 – Tokyo: Cultural tour: Meiji Shrine, Asakusa, Akihabara, take a sushi class, and experience a fortune teller session.

Day 3 – Tokyo & Mount Fuji: Explore the grounds of the Imperial Palace and visit the 47 Ronin memorial. Travel to the Mount Fuji Memorial Centre. Take a night bus to Nara.

Day 4 – Nara & Kyoto: Morning in Nara: visit Todai-ji Temple and feed the deer at Nara Park. Afternoon in Kyoto: Geisha experience, explore temples and pagodas, stroll through the Bamboo Forest, and relax in an Onsen. Travel to Osaka via bullet train.

Day 5 – Hiroshima: Day trip to Hiroshima: visit Peace Memorial Park, take a ferry to Miyajima, and enjoy a Sake Tasting session.

Day 6 – Osaka: Full Osaka tour and experiences: Okonomiyaki, Kushikatsu, Takoyaki (vegetable versions), visit the Pokemon Centre, attend a knife experience, join a tea ceremony, and see Osaka Castle. Take a night bus back to Tokyo.

Day 7 – Tokyo & Departure: Arrive in Tokyo in the morning and visit the Skytree. Afternoon flight back home.

Money & Budgeting

• Cash is king; Japan is still a cash-focused society.

• JR Pass covers most intercity travel; carry local transport cards.

• Average daily food cost: £30–£40 plus transport.

• Use a Japan travel money card to avoid fees.

  
  

Japan is perfect for solo travellers seeking culture, adventure, and culinary delights. With careful planning, it’s possible to enjoy Kyoto, Tokyo, and Osaka, with side trips to Nara, Hiroshima, and Mount Fuji, in just seven days.

Whether you’re looking for Japan travel tips, vegetarian vacation packages, or a vegetarian travel guide, this post covers everything you need to plan your trip.