My First Solo Trip: Essential Tips & Packing List for Beginner Travelers

Tokyo Adventure: A Solo Traveler’s Serendipitous Journey

Talk about last-minute changes! My original plan to hike in Nagano and soak in hot springs took an unexpected turn when news about Nagano Station surfaced the night before departure. As a first-time solo traveler abroad, I played it safe and rerouted to Tokyo. Scrambling for last-minute accommodations, I landed at Fresa Inn Jinbocho – and what a delightful surprise! This cozy gem offered perfect comfort for solo travelers with incredible value.

Packing light with no extra baggage allowance (thanks, Spring Airlines!), shopping wasn’t on my agenda despite Tokyo’s reputation as a retail paradise.

🌸 Day 1: Tokyo First Impressions
Touched down, checked in, and transformed with makeup by 4:30 PM. First stop: the iconic Tokyo Tower, followed by a quick Tokyo Station photo op. Starving, I trusted Google’s high-rated ramen spot bustling with locals. Verdict? Delicious but saltier than my taste buds preferred – a recurring theme throughout my Japanese culinary adventures!

🌸 Day 2: Culture Immersion
Morning: Sensoji Temple’s vibrant energy
Afternoon: Ueno Park’s green oasis → Tokyo National Museum → National Museum of Western Art
Evening: New Shinjuku exploration

Highlight: NMWA’s Monet Water Lilies exhibition! The crowd (mostly Japanese art enthusiasts) testified to the nation’s vibrant art scene. Despite the bustle, the exquisite curation created an immersive experience. Food wins: viral miso soup rice balls (my trip’s culinary champion!) and Ueno Station’s eel rice (note: bring your water bottle).

PS: Shinjuku Station – the only place that truly made me feel “Lost in Translation”!

🌸 Day 3: Fashion Pilgrimage Fail
The ultimate city walk: Nakameguro → Daikanyama → Omotesando → Ginza
Result: 20,000 steps and empty-handed! As a non-fashionista, the trendy boutiques left me uninspired. Lesson learned: Tokyo shopping requires either a fashion-forward mindset or shopping buddies.

🌸 Day 4: Kamakura Magic
My absolute favorite day! Arrived before 9 AM to empty beaches at Shichirigahama. Golden sunlight + perfect weather = Instagram-worthy “life photos.” Kamakura’s laid-back charm enchanted me, culminating in a surreal Enoshima sunset – summer vibes with winter crispness!

🌸 Day 5: Mission-Based Ginza Shopping
Finally embraced retail therapy with purpose – souvenir hunting for friends. Realization: Shopping needs shared excitement to spark joy!

Final Thoughts:
Tokyo masterfully blends urban sophistication with authentic cultural experiences. From Sensoji to Hasedera temples (both yielded “excellent fortune” omikuji with eerily similar messages!), the city delivered endless delights. For solo travelers or urban explorers, Tokyo shines as a perfect destination – equal parts exhilarating and soul-nourishing! ✨