Can you still have fun going to japan by yourself?

I think doing backpacking in Japan is not easy like the west. Actually Japan is not the west. Japanese hotels and inns can refuse sudden visitors who don't have a reservation. So young Japanese travelers usually book the hotels beforehand or visit the local tourist information desk first and ask a help to find hostels (almost all the information is in Japanese). Remember, not all cities have cheap hostels. If you are backpacking, check the location of the hotels in each destination city before you leave the former city or ask former hostel to introduce you next accommodation. And hitchhiking is also difficult, even for Japanese.

Yes there are A LOT of backpacker hostels in Japan....and numerous things to do...even if yourlonesome....you wil find out that more ppl than u think speak english

I haven't traveled to Japan before but I would advise you to go with friends. If you can't/don't want to, go by yourself but research the areas you are going to be staying/visiting, so make sure you know where the nearest police station/hospital is, etc. Also keep a mobile on you to be safe, and try not to visit places that are very remote. Yep, there are loads of backpacker hotels in Japan. Here's a couple of websites of different hotels: http://www.sakura-hotel.co.jp/sakura-hotel_rates.html#single_room http://www.kyotohostel.net/ http://www.thebackpacker.net/travelhostels/japan/index.htm (6/7 yen is about £0.03-what a bargain!) The backpacking hotels are mostly located in the bigger cities but I'm sure there are normal hotels in smaller towns. Even if they aren't backpacking hotels, they are bound to be pretty cheap.

having been a foreigner living here for a while, i'd say its a great place to travel, but if youre going alone, i would reccommend Kyoto, since it seems to have the most popular sightseeing areas in close proximity. as for backpacker hotels? cant say.. i dont backpack, but you can get a decent hotel for 1 person for the yen equiviliant of 30-70 dollars.

ninjas will attack you

Definitely. Japan, especially Tokyo, is a very convenient place designed for both independent individuals and a group of friends to enjoy the place. You will find wonderful and entertaining things in Tokyo. Don't forget shopping, and the food (not just Japanese food, all kinds of food made in Japan) are absolutely delicious. Beats the whole world. The people are also very polite; the service is first class. I may be rather nationalistic, but I have lived in and been to quite a lot of places around Asia and the west. I grew up in Indonesia so I don't find myself adapting well to Tokyo (which is my hometown), but I do believe that Japan is one of the best places to visit or live in.

I wouldn't go alone.. At least have a buddy or two.. One who's Japanese, lol.. It'll def. feel much more adventurous and exhilarating alone, though..

yeh theres some great tourist attractions

If you don't mind travelling alone or in a country where you don't speak the language, you can get along fine if you research as much as possible ahead of time, including learning some phrases and maybe having a small phrasebook on you to help. It's also good to plan out what you want to see or where to stay in general and print those maps out or the names in Japanese before you go. This way you can show it to people and communicate by sign language and gesturing. Some things are called differently in Japanese than what a web site might call it in English. Example, kinkakuji in Kyoto is often called the Golden Pavilion in English. There's backpacker hostel in Japan and also another thing like bed & breakfast called minshoku or ryokan in Japanese. There's another option but I wouldn't try it unless you know Japanese, which is to stay at a temple. I'd love to do that one day when I have a chance. If you're too unsure about doing it alone, perhaps you can find someone in your circle of acquaintances who can go with you or knows Japanese... just start talking about it and spread the word. Or maybe a travel group if you don't mind. I don't like travel groups because they stay at expensive places and stuff like that. Maybe a young group tour or maybe a community college trip or some sister city exchange thing?