Final Thoughts

• Other tourists are very helpful when I asked them for help (both foreign and English speaking Japanese), I would highly recommend if you are lost just ask another tourist.
• Weirdly I only encountered a rude old man at Hakone volcanic vents. Why would he go there if he hates tourists? It’s like going to Times Square and shouting at tourists!
• It was quite lonely travelling on my own.
• The Okura room was great as it had steam shower, heated wet room floor and jazuzzi bath. The best breakfast was in the Okura Nouvelle Epoque. The Okura was great value for money compared to the Palace, but not sure if I'd stay there again as it's quite far from any station compared to the Palace (which has a direct walkway to a metro station). It was a pain to get anywere because it's on a hill the walk to the few nearby stations was quite a challenege.
• The RC Fukuoka had an excellent Club lounge.
• I'd definitely recommend the Miyajima Kinsuikan and stay in one of their onsen bath rooms facing the Torii gate.
• It’s funny how some attractions cater well for foreigners (Skytree) but others don’t (Tokyo Naturla Science Museum)
• Used 9.83 GB Ubigi 10GB eSIM
• Not to brag, but I never got in the wrong train or bus. I think I can thank Google Maps for that!
• I really struggled with backpacking using my Osprey Farpoint 40 + Daylite Plus as it was so heavy. But I'm glad I did forward my suitcase as that would have been even more of a pain to lug around.
• In Akihabara It’s hard to tell the difference between real schoolgirls and those dressed up as one.
• I found it very stressful confronting fellow tourists off for littering and smoking.
• I did look at what other people where doing and probably broke some rules. Like in Miyajima and Hakone they were eating while walking in the street so I did too.