Heading to japan on the 12th, my first solo trip ever. I always wanted to visit it, but now because of my developer paycheck and me being annoyed because no one ever has the money and/or time I am heading there alone.

I think it will be a very enriching experience. I always felt like I'm often dependent on others so I am trying to take more steps to improve that.

Good on you for taking some steps to be more independent :D

Thanks @s0LA , you too.

Enjoy! Great place to visit. Did you make travel plans already or do you just plan to go with the flow?

Nice. Pack for rather hot weather and rather heavy rain, September has them both in Japan, although the heart should lessen quickly. Actually, pack for any weather 😁

@mannodermaus Sorry for the late reaction, I am actually staying in Osaka for the first week and planning to head for kyoto in the second.

But I am mostly keeping this pretty open, I only booked the hotel in the first week and want to decide what to do from there on out.

Hope you enjoy. Kyoto's one of my favourites, especially the Silver Pavilion, which's garden are just beautiful, and has really nice streets near it. The Golden Pavilion is better known, but can be crowded (still, if it doesn't rain, that picture of it with its reflection in the lake is iconic, and really feels good to take).

Try to get a night or two in a Ryokan at some point, they're a bit expensive (well, mostly the prices start higher than hotels, but that's mostly because cheap Ryokan aren't really a thing, at equivalent price, they're usually similar), but the food they serve (included with the room in most) is great, and they usually have baths which you'll hesitate getting into, but won't regret trying.

Oh, and if you eat pork, try some Katsudon, it's tried pork encased in a caramelized onion omelette on rice, it's just the best thing. And also Taiyaki, delicious fish shaped pastries.

@CptFox Thanks for the advice! I was considering a Ryokan and I will try one if I'm able to make reservation while I'm there.

Taiyaki was already on my schedule but Katsudon looks great as well. I will definitely try some if I walk past a shop that sells it 😁

I remember Katsu Ichi (かつ一) in a covered street in Kyoto, delicious. The street had a few thrift shop if you wanna bring back a haori for a good price too

Solo-trips are the best. Enjoy the total freedom of doing whatever you want!

1. Go to Shirahama (Wakayama) if you can (take a bus or train from Osaka). Onsen + fish market + beach (but beach will be quiet, nobody swims in September despite the weather)

2. Search for "kanmidokoro" (甘味処)　and try some Japanese-style sweets such as Anmitsu (あんみつ)

3. Not Japanese food, it's Korean, but try Samgyeopsal if you can. (Depending on your view of Japan, might be surprising to know the Japan, especially Osaka, has a fairly large Korean population)

4. If it rains, the gardens in Kyoto become even more beautiful.