Matt Staton

The Downsides of Solo Travel: What I Learned Traveling Alone

Traveling solo can be an incredible and empowering experience — but it’s not always sunshine and self-discovery.

In the first part of this blog series, I shared the many benefits of traveling alone in Japan. But just like anything in life, solo travel also comes with its fair share of challenges. From loneliness to safety concerns, here are some of the real downsides of solo travel I experienced firsthand.

5 Eye-Opening Lessons I Learned Traveling Solo

In 2017, I took a leap that would change how I experience the world forever: I booked a solo trip to Japan. It was my first time traveling outside the United States, and I went completely alone.

Was it scary? Absolutely.
Was it worth it? Without a doubt.

In this post, I want to share the best things I experienced while traveling solo in Japan — not just the fun stuff, but the real, eye-opening lessons that came with being on my own in a foreign country. (I’ll also be posting a follow-up soon about the challenges of solo travel, so stay tuned for that.)

Exploring Tampa: Flatwoods Nature Reserve

Flatwoods Nature Reserve is a network of paved and non-paved trails located in the Hillsborough Nature Reserve in Tampa.

Hotel Review: The Gate Hotel by Kaminarimon by HULIC

The Gate Hotel by Kaminarimon in Asakusa, Tokyo is one of the nicer hotels I have stayed in while visiting Tokyo. It is located right across the street from Sensoji Temple, putting it in an ideal location for any tourist wanting to explore this incredible part of Tokyo.

Tips for making changes for a trip

Life happens and sometimes changes to a trip have to be made (or a trip has to be cancelled entirely). Here are some tips to consider while making those changes.

5 restaurant experiences to try in Tokyo

There are a lot of amazing restaurants, both big and small, to experience while exploring Tokyo (and throughout Japan). Here are five that are a must when you visit Japan. They are sure to fit any appetite and budget, no matter what you are looking for.

Restaurant Review: Gonpachi

If you are a fan of Kill Bill and the epic fight scene against the Crazy 88, then you should visit this restaurant. If you are looking for an average meal in Tokyo with high prices, then this place is also for you.

Top travel websites for planning a trip to Japan

There are a lot of websites out there when planning an international trip to Japan. While the amount of information can be overwhelming at first, these are some of the top websites I have used and have trusted in my past trips and recommend you visit before heading out on that next vacation.

Picking a hotel in Japan

Japan is full of of hotels, each one with unique styles and features that ideal for whatever you are looking for. Here are a few notes about different types of hotels and what you can expect from each as you plan to book your trip.

Restaurant review: Bill’s Omotesando Restaurant

This location of Bill’s Omotesando Restaurant is located in Tokyo Plaza Omotesando in the Harajuku district of Tokyo (there are several locations in Tokyo including one in Ginza).

Hotel Review: Fraser Residence Nankai Osaka

Time for a hotel to review that I stayed in 2019, the Fraser Residence Nankai Osaka (Namba area) which might have been the nicest hotel of the entire trip to Japan (and one of the nicest hotels I have seen while in Japan).

Chopstick Manners in Japan

Knowing how to use chopsticks might seem like a small part of the Japanese dining experience, however, it is a very important one. Having proper manners and etiquette is very important, so here are some quick things to remember about chopsticks in Japan.