What is it actually like to "go on tour to Solo Travel"? I asked everything I was worried about!

What was the inspiration behind the tours exclusively for solo participants?

It all began about 28 years ago. Back then, group travel was mainstream,
Customers have increasingly expressed comments such as "I no longer get along with my friends' scheduled" and "I feel uneasy being alone on group tours."
So, with the idea that "if everyone is alone, we can enjoy it without any worries," was born with this tour.

Back then, the "solo lifestyle" wasn't as widespread as it is now, right?

That's right. A major turning point came during the COVID-19 pandemic. I feel that the value of 'valuing alone time' has spread, lowering the psychological barrier to Solo Travel.

What was the participants' reaction?

We receive many positive comments such as, "The tour guide's support was very reassuring," and "Since everyone was traveling alone, I didn't have to worry about anything."

Are there any trends in the types of participants?

About 80% of participants are women, primarily in their 50s to 70s. Tours departing on weekends and holidays see an increase in participants in their 20s to 40s, indicating that they are being chosen by working adults as a way to enjoy "me time."

What are the differences from a regular group tour?

Its biggest feature is that 'no participation by acquaintances.' Since all participants are in a "nice to meet you" status, the tour is organized solely by Solo Travel companions.

It certainly seems like I could participate without feeling too much pressure.

You are guaranteed a single room, enjoying sightseeing together during the day and having your own time at night. Almost all tours include a tour guide who will support you with any concerns you may have regarding transportation, check-in, and other matters.

Many bus tours use a system where each passenger has two seats. This allows for more flexibility in how you sit, such as placing luggage or enjoying the scenery.

What's the atmosphere like during meal times?

We generally sit together at a large table. (This may vary depending on the tour.) Conversations during the bus ride help everyone get to know each other, creating a relaxed atmosphere during dinner.

One of its characteristics is that those who enjoy socializing and those who prefer to relax alone coexist naturally. There is a sense of "understanding" where people respect each other's feelings.

I see......! You can spend time "with someone" or "alone time" depending on your mood. So, what are the popular and classic tours for "Solo-Only Travel"?

The most popular year-round series is the one that efficiently explores places that are difficult to visit individually. For example, here are some examples.

• Remote island tour
This plan lets you tour areas such as the Goto Islands, Yakushima, Amami Oshima, and Sado, where arranging planes, boats, and hotels individually is difficult.
• "No Driving" Circuit Tour
Shikoku Loop or courses touring the hidden areas of the Shimokita Peninsula and Tsugaru area in Tohoku. You can't enjoy drinking while driving, but with the bus, you can enjoy both the view from the window and the drinks.
• Guided Hiking Power Spot Tour
Visiting Hakuba Hiking and Ise Jingu Shrine, Koyasan, Izumo Taisha, and more. With a professional guide, you can learn in depth, including its history and background.
• Sightseeing train transfer tour
Train journeys involving multiple transfers on hard-to-book sightseeing trains are a classic with many repeat visitors.

Seasonal tours such as the 'Cherry Blossom & Autumn Foliage Tour,' 'Comprehensive Tour of Tohoku Summer festival,' 'Circuit Tours During Golden Week and Silver Week Holidays,' and 'Summer Resort and Cool Trip Tours' are also popular every year.

There are so many different tours! By the way, is there anything you consider important when planning a tour?

There are three main ones.
The first is "what planners of the same generation as the participants should think." Women-only tours are organized by female planners of the same age as the participants. We carefully select things like "clean hotels," "well-equipped amenities," and "the appearance and atmosphere of meals" as personal preferences.
The second is to prioritize the experiential value that can be provided at the destination. We incorporate things that are difficult to do alone. For example, private concerts, special dining parties at long-established restaurants where individual reservations are difficult, trips transferring between hard-to-book sightseeing trains, and plans where you stay in a private room at luxury accommodations that are "not for solo travelers."
The third is "reflecting trends." For example, tours visiting places featured in TV dramas are popular, and when it was reported that the pandas from Wakayama Adventure World were returning to China, about a week later they released a "Tour to Thanking the Four Pandas," and the entire schedule was Full immediately.

For someone taking a tour for the first time, what criteria should they use to choose a tour?

It's recommended to choose based on the "time you can spend." Many people start with the Meet on-site or Disbandment Short Plan (3–4 hours).

If you want to enjoy a full day, try the Day Trip bus tour. It's easy to join even for first-time Solo Travel with cherry blossoms and illuminations.

Themed tours lasting one night or more tend to be more satisfying if you choose a theme that interests you or a place you've always wanted to visit.

Is there support for beginners?

At the higher-level "Premium Solo Experience," a tour conductor will greet you by phone before departure. Information sessions are held irregularly, and many people sign up after participating.

Finally, a message for those who feel anxious about attending alone.

It's nerve-wracking to Solo Travel for the first time, isn't it? However, we have created an environment where it's easy to take on challenges, with strict mutual no-go, attentive tour guides, and systems to ensure you have time to be alone.

The planners create these trips with genuine thought in mind, considering "the kind of trip our customers and we ourselves would want to take." With approximately 1000 courses available, you're sure to find a trip that resonates with you. If something makes you think, "This might be good," trust that intuition.

Even if you travel alone, you can share the scenery with someone you meet along the way, and when you return home, you can talk about the experience with someone, expanding its reach. You may be "alone," but you won't be "lonely." Such travel experiences surely await you.