Solo Summer Japan Trip 2026
Earlier this summer, I embarked on my first solo adventure across Japan. This was my third visit to Japan but my first time exploring Nagano prefecture and experiencing matsuri/hanabi.
The Itinerary
Day 1: Tokyo – Touched down at Narita Airport and made my way to Tokyo for my first night. On the plane a Japanese guy gave me a kit kat and we had a small chat so my spirits for the trip were good I headed to a sushi branch he recommended - Uobei (Shibuya Dogenzaka) for dinner. Anyways, I smashed out 15 plates of sushi, a miso soup, oolong tea, a pint of Kirin, and headed to bed.
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Day 2: Matsumoto - Woke up and went from my hotel in Akabane to Shinjuku. I was struggling to book a Limited Express Ticket and after talking to an attendant, I was told that there were only standing tickets remaining. I’m normally pretty relaxed with standing but a 3.5hr standing commute with a 7kg backpack and potentially no battery sounded like hell. So I booked the next available seat and went to Yoshinoya to eat in the meantime.
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I boarded the train and arrived at Matsumoto around 2:30PM where I headed to Yōhashira-jinja tucked next to Nawate Street. I strolled over to Matsumoto Castle and waited like a solid 35min in line to tour the castle. It was a pretty cool experience and some of the artefacts like early firearms were interesting though it was mostly empty and the stairs were diabolically steep/slippery.
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After the castle tour I wanted to check out the Matsumoto Art Gallery to see Yayoi Kusama’s works but it was closed so with a bit of time left before checking into my next home for the trip - I went to the Matsumoto City Museum. This place was actually filled with awesome historical pieces like samurai, firefighter and religious artefacts.
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I dropped my bag off at the little capsule hotel (my first time trying one - honestly out of necessity as accomodation in Matsumoto was super limited). Then I headed to Ganso Stamina Yakitori Matsumoto Ekimae Ten to try the Nagano special delicacy - basashi (horse meat sashimi, some yakitori skewers, potato salad and a cheeky beer.
Day 3: Kamikochi -
Day 4: Nagano City –
Day 5: Lake Suwa –
Day 6: Fukagawa Hachiman Matsuri -
Day 7: Tsukiji Fish Market-
Day 8: Nikko -
Day 9: Tokyo -
Day 10: Enoshima -
Day 11: Omakase -
Day 12: Oi Racecourse Flea Market -
Day 13: Narita -
Highlights
Kamikochi: Where Mountains Meet Soul
Kamikochi was hands-down the trip’s centerpiece. Standing in that alpine valley, surrounded by crystalline streams and towering peaks, I felt completely alone yet deeply connected to something larger. The hiking trails were stunning, and the serenity was exactly what I needed at that point in my journey.
Fireworks Over Lake Suwa
The fireworks festival at Lake Suwa was pure magic. h
The Water Matsuri Festival in Tokyo
I timed my return to Tokyo perfectly and stumbled into the water matsuri festival. The energy was infectious, with people celebrating around floats and portable shrines. It was a perfect reminder of Tokyo’s ability to balance ancient tradition with vibrant celebration.
Nikko’s Spiritual Beauty
Nikko exceeded all my expectations. Walking through misty forest paths, visiting centuries-old temples, and watching a monk ring the ancient bell at one of the temples gave me moments of profound peace. I also witnessed an impromptu kendo competition, where the sharp crack of wooden swords echoed through the air—a glimpse into centuries-old martial tradition.
Enoshima’s Coastal Charm
Enoshima, with its island shrine and coastal views, offered a different kind of beauty. The beaches were beautiful, the food was delicious, and watching the sunset from the island felt like the perfect reset before heading home.
What I’d Do Different
When it comes to the itinerary and what I did - there are quite a number of things I’d probably do differently next time. Here is a pretty long list:
My Experience Solo Travelling Japan
I won’t impart any wisdom from this trip because I’m not a philosopher but I will reflect on the spiritual lessons of this trip. After reflecting on the interactions I had with many different people that were mostly excluded from this blog post.
For many, small interactions like a stranger giving a snack or having a chat may sound insignificant but they really made this solo travel trip way less lonely. It’s a weird feeling to feel alone when you’re surrounded by hundreds if not thousands of people, but it is exactly that feeling that made the some parts of the trip difficult. For the most part, I really enjoyed walking in solitude, taking pictures, trying foods and exploring. I think this is all subjective but for me personally, I think this solo trip had a pretty profound impact on the way I view not just holidays but myself as a person.
Would I do it again? Most likely.
Will I visit Japan again? It’ll always have a special place in my heart but I think it’s time to explore another country.
My final advice? Life is really short - yes travelling alone can be scary, sometimes even uncomfortable or lonely but I think it’s a good opportunity to grow and learn more about yourself.
Have you traveled solo? How was the experience? What’s your favorite destination? Drop a comment below—I’d love to hear about your adventures!