Hello,

25M from France, bilingual English: perks of an English-speaking partner.

I am an "intermediate" solo traveler heading onto my 3rd trip to Japan (about 3 months xp), from Oct 25th to Dec 6th (approx. depending on flight times).

Last year, on my second trip, I had the best experience of my life meeting another solo traveler without any set plans. We ended up traveling together through towns and villages for over a month, making a friend and memories for life. It changed how I want to approach travelling, and find a/some buddies to travel with.

About me and how I travel:

My ideal trip is "simple": a thoroughly researched list of places, activities, stories, and hidden gems... so I can aggressively wing it when I'm there. I don't do set itinerary or constrained planning and I don't book anything*. That way I can move organically, go do what I want in the moment, take the time needed, or skip ahead if it's not the right mood.
This also allows us to each have our "targets", find consensus on what we want to do, or even split for a few days if convenient (e.g. you explore that town, I go there, and we meet again in 2 days). *Note: I can still book a hotel or activity or event way beforehand when it's something exceptional and worth it. Usually matsuri or very rare activity or experience.

I'll spend a few days through the usual suspects even though I am not fond of crowds, but my goal is to go see other things. Some lost towns obviously, but simply what else Japan has to offer beyond the standard route, even in major towns. No place is yet decided but it'll be south of the Alps (including Nagano, Toyama, etc.) as I want to keep the northern half of Honshu for a winter/spring trip. I have already done the Kii Peninsula, Shikoku, and parts of Kyushu, but I’m totally willing to do them again.
I travel by train when convenient but ended up renting a car at least half of the trip last year.

My main interests are cultural/spiritual (temples, events, museums) and natural (hikes, viewpoints, parks), as well as activities like crafts, spiritual sites, or small local tours. Obviously there is food, I love to try local specialty dishes and seek out authentic experiences over anything fancy or convenient (though I do convenient when it is... convenient).
I am open to bars and nightlife but prefer travelling early, this rhythm fits much better in Japan although I am a full night owl in daily life. More generally I am open to anything you'll be passionate about. For me buddying is about sharing your trip and going to experience new things.

Budget is average. I like good value for money in hotels but will often take something higher end to have a nice ryokan night and onsen. Same for restaurants. I usually compensate by cutting corners in big cities, going to the cheapest 70s metallic sound-crushing capsules.

I am not looking for an impossible travel buddy with exactly the same availabilities and interests as me, but for someone I can share some of the road with, and that we can make memories, have a great time and share our passions together.

So if you're heading to Japan around the same time, wether beginner or experienced, willing to take risks outside the beaten path and thinking 'Hey, this matches my vibe', feel free to DM. Let’s see if our non-plans align!

Thanks for reading and happy travel!