Why Every Woman Should Travel Solo At least Once (and Why I Chose Japan)
In May 2019, I jumped on an overnight flight to Tokyo, Japan on my own. No husband. No kids. Just me, a bag of clothes, and a determination to do something that scared me a little.
Japan had always intrigued me. I loved the idea of a place where ancient temples sit beside neon-lit skyscrapers, where order and chaos co-exist in harmony. I longed to sit in silence; to ground myself in nature and beauty. This trip wasn’t just about ticking sights off a bucket list. It was a deeply personal choice to step away from routine and responsibility and spend time with the one person I often neglected: myself.
Choosing Japan
I chose Japan for a few reasons. It felt far enough to be a real adventure, but safe enough to navigate solo. I knew the language barrier would challenge me, but I also knew that Japan was known for its hospitality and efficiency. It offered everything I craved: culture, beauty, contrast, and most of all, the chance to get wonderfully, purposefully lost.
Finding Myself in the Unfamiliar
The first few days in Tokyo were about reorienting myself; to the city, to being alone, to moving at my own pace without having to consider anyone else. I wandered down Takeshita Street in Harajuku and ate a technicolour cone of fairy floss all to myself. I stood at Shibuya Crossing and let the rush of bodies move around me like a current. I quietly lit incense at Senso-ji Temple, grateful for a moment of stillness in a world that is always asking for more. I giggled my way through an awkward but unforgettable visit to a maid café. Nothing was staged. It was all mine to feel, figure out, and enjoy.
There was something profoundly liberating about making all the decisions: where to go, what to eat, when to rest. I wasn’t navigating anyone else’s preferences or moods. I was listening to my own.
Lessons in Trust
Travelling solo as a woman doesn’t mean being fearless. It means trusting yourself. Trusting that you can get from A to B. That you can read the signs (or at least figure them out). That you can sit alone in a restaurant and still enjoy the meal. That you can get a little lost and still find your way.
In Japan, I learned how to ask for help without words. I learned how to observe, to be still, to be curious without rushing. I learned that I could feel lonely and still be okay. And I learned that moments of discomfort often taught me something about myself I didn’t know before.
The Power of Solo Travel
Solo travel has a way of stripping everything back. You’re not existing for someone else. You’re not filling roles. You’re just… you. In that space, clarity creeps in. I remembered things I’d forgotten I loved: wandering with no destination, eating slowly, watching the world go by. I remembered what it felt like to be proud of myself. To be brave.
For women especially, solo travel can be an act of reclamation and a gentle awakening. We spend so much time giving to others, managing things, holding space. To take time purely for yourself: to explore, to wonder, to reconnect, is powerful. It reminds you of your capability, your resourcefulness and your worth.
Would I Do It Again?
In a heartbeat.
Japan will always hold a special place in my story. Not just for its beauty and culture (and its food), but for what it gave me: a renewed sense of independence, self-belief, and joy.
If you’ve ever thought about travelling solo, this is your sign. Start planning. Start dreaming. It doesn’t have to be far or fancy. Just make it yours.
Because every woman deserves to feel that kind of freedom.
Have you ever travelled solo? Thinking about it? I’d love to hear your thoughts or questions in the comments.
