In this article, we will introduce a model plan recommended by solo producer Maro! We will also provide tips on how to spend your time, so please use it as a reference for your next birthday trip.
Guide: Maro-san
Solo producer. She conveys the meaning of spending time alone and suggests ways to spend it through his own media outlet, "Ohitorisama.", as well as through her writing and media appearances. In addition to working on the original idea for the manga "Ohitorisama Hotel" (manga by Maki Hirochi/Shinchosha), she has also written "Ohitorisama Hotel Guide" (Asahi Shimbun Publications) and "Hitori ga Ii Tabi" (Wani Books), which will be released on April 25th. She also produces projects for companies targeting solo travelers and manages a community that connects people through solo time.
Instagram: @ohitorigram
X: @ohitoritter
*Prices include tax.
On your next birthday, go on a solo trip.
Birthdays are special days. It's nice to celebrate with family and friends, but why not take the plunge and spend some "me-time"? Traveling alone has a different appeal than traveling with others.
"I actually think that birthdays are the perfect time to celebrate and reward yourself. I think there are many people who don't have time to take care of themselves when they're busy every day. It's also a great time to look back on the past year and think about what's to come," says solo producer Maro.
The appeal of having a birthday is that you can go to a place you've always wanted to visit, indulge in a little luxury, and give yourself a treat. Such a special experience will also give you the energy to work hard in the new year.
Maro's recommendation! A model plan for a "birthday solo trip" in the Hakone and Odawara area
The setting for the trip is the Hakone/Odawara area, which is easily accessible and has a wide range of charms, and can be reached in about 90 minutes from Tokyo. Spend time reading literature and books in the quiet streets of Odawara, stay at the coveted "hotel" in Hakone, and soothe yourself while enjoying art. Here is a two-day, one-night birthday trip plan that will allow you to escape from your daily routine and spend a little luxury in a lush environment!
First day
On the first day, enjoy the Odawara area at your own pace. We will introduce you to some great spots where you can spend your time in a way that is unique to solo travelers.
A quiet moment to soak in the aroma of literature | Odawara Literature Museum
About a 20-minute walk from Odawara Station, we first head to the Odawara Literature Museum, which is located in a quiet environment surrounded by greenery.
Odawara has a history of being a summer resort for many great writers from the Meiji to Showa periods. With its mild climate and abundant nature, it was here that they devoted themselves to their creative endeavors.
The beautiful Spanish-style main building is a former villa that has been preserved as is. Step inside and you'll feel a nostalgic atmosphere. On the same premises, there is also a Japanese-style annex (Hakushu Children's Song Museum), where you can feel a different atmosphere from the main building. Spend a relaxing time experiencing the world of people with ties to this area, such as Hakushu Kitahara and Junichiro Tanizaki.
The Literature Museum is located in a quiet area near the sea, where you can truly feel the atmosphere of a summer resort. The building itself is very beautiful, and for architecture lovers, it is worth visiting just to enjoy the building. In particular, there is a lounge on the third floor, where you can relax while looking out the window. It is the perfect place to start your solo trip and spend some quiet time away from the hustle and bustle of the city. If experiencing literature has whetted your appetite for reading, head on over to the next spot we will introduce.
Odawara Literature Museum
| address | ： | 2-3-4 Minamicho, Odawara City, Kanagawa Prefecture |
|---|---|---|
| phone | ： | 0465-22-9881 |
| business hours | ： | 10:00-17:00 (March-October), 10:00-16:30 (November-February) *Last admission 30 minutes before closing |
| Closed Day | ： | Mondays (or the following weekday if Monday is a public holiday), New Year's holiday |
| Fee | ： | Adults: 250 yen, elementary and junior high school students: 100 yen |
| web | ： | Odawara Literature Museum (Odawara City website) |
Find your travel companion here | "Minamijuji Books"
About a 15-minute walk from the Odawara Literature Museum, Minami Juji is a small bookstore located in the Minamimachi area near Odawara Station, known for its carefully selected books by the owner.
Cafe space
The store is filled with a wide range of books, from new releases and second-hand books to self-published "zines." Each book is filled with the owner's thoughts about "wanting to have it at Minamijuji."
The display table is lined with the most popular books, and the bookshelves along the wall are stocked with a wide variety of books, from novels to history, philosophy, and poetry collections. The "zine" section, which is made up of self-published works, is particularly eye-catching, with its collection of unique works.
"Minami Jyuji" is attractive for its tasteful book selection that can only be found at an independent bookstore. The way the books are displayed is also ingenious, and they are arranged in a way that catches your eye one by one. There is also a cafe space, so you can enjoy a comfortable time reading a book while drinking coffee.
Books are the best companions when traveling alone. I especially love reading travel essays, and I enjoy traveling while feeling the journey of others. I hope you will find your travel companion here, such as a book about travel or a book by an author with a connection to Odawara.
Minamijuji
| address | ： | 2-1-58 Minamicho, Odawara City, Kanagawa Prefecture |
|---|---|---|
| Holiday | ： | Irregular holidays |
| business hours | ： | We will announce it on our official website or social media. |
| web | ： | Minamijuji Official Website |
Treat yourself to a stay at a long-established classic hotel | Fujiya Hotel
After enjoying some reading time at Minamijuji, we headed towards Hakone by bus and checked into Fujiya Hotel, one of Japan's most classic hotels, located in Miyanoshita.
Fujiya Hotel, which opened in 1878 as Japan's first full-scale resort hotel, is a prestigious hotel with over 140 years of history. What began as a single Western-style building built by founder Sennosuke Yamaguchi has now become a magnificent group of buildings that symbolize Hakone.
Western-style Historic Deluxe Twin Room
Western-style Historic Deluxe Hollywood Twin Room
Of the four accommodation buildings, each with its own unique style, Maro recommends the Western-style building. It is said to be a typical example of Western-style architecture from the Meiji period, and is an elegant space that retains the atmosphere of the time of its construction. The elegant European-style furnishings offer a relaxing and luxurious stay.
In the Western-style buildings, no two rooms have the same interior, so the excitement of wondering what kind of room awaits you is one of the joys of traveling.
There is a restaurant in the hotel. You can choose from Western, Japanese, and French cuisine to suit your occasion and mood. For afternoon tea, you can enjoy gorgeous sweets and savory dishes made with luxurious ingredients, befitting a classic hotel.
"Fujiya Hotel" is a hotel I have always dreamed of staying at. Before staying there, I was nervous, wondering if it would be suitable for me, but it was a very generous hotel that embraced me. There are many things to see, but the hospitality and service were simply amazing. I think the real pleasure of traveling alone is noticing the attentiveness of the staff who go out of their way to provide service, and being able to bask in the afterglow of that.
Be sure to try the afternoon tea and the specialty curry! The restaurant is available for day trips, but for a special occasion like a birthday, we recommend taking the plunge and staying overnight to make the most of your time at the hotel.
Fujiya Hotel
| address | ： | 359 Miyanoshita, Hakone-machi, Ashigarashimo-gun, Kanagawa Prefecture |
|---|---|---|
| phone | ： | 0460-82-2211（受付時間 9:00～20:00） |
| web | ： | Fujiya Hotel Official Website |
Second day
On the second day, you can spend the day touring the art spots of Hakone. After enjoying a luxurious morning at the Fujiya Hotel, you can spend time experiencing art at an art museum surrounded by lush nature and opening your five senses.
Experience art at a museum nestled in the forest | "Pola Museum of Art"
The Pola Museum of Art is located in the deep green forest of Sengokuhara, about a 10-minute taxi ride from the Fujiya Hotel. Its beautiful architecture blends in with nature and its collection of world-famous masterpieces is a highlight.
There are many colorful and exciting artworks on display, mainly Impressionist paintings by artists such as Monet and Renoir, allowing you to lose track of time and become immersed in the world of art.
Forest Walking Trail
The museum was built to blend into the forest, allowing visitors to enjoy the seasonal nature. The approximately 1km long Forest Promenade is a great place to take a leisurely stroll while feeling the fresh breeze. At the museum's cafe, you can relax and enjoy the spectacular view from the large windows.
The Pola Museum of Art is wonderful for its architectural design that blends in with the surrounding nature! You can appreciate the artworks at your own pace, surrounded by refreshing air. The space itself is attractive, so if it's your birthday, why not try an elegant course meal at the restaurant inside the museum?
Beautiful art museums are scattered all over the country, so we recommend taking a leisurely solo trip to explore them all. The quiet time you spend in a museum is a luxurious moment where you can escape from your everyday life and face yourself.
Pola Museum of Art
| address | ： | 1285 Kozukayama, Sengokuhara, Hakone-machi, Ashigarashimo-gun, Kanagawa Prefecture |
|---|---|---|
| phone | ： | 0460-84-2111 |
| business hours | ： | 9:00-17:00 (last entry 16:30) |
| Closed Day | ： | Open throughout the exhibition period (may be closed for exhibition changes) |
| web | ： | Pola Museum of Art Official Website |
Be enchanted by the delicate world of glass at Lalique Museum Hakone
After enjoying the art experience at the Pola Museum of Art, head to the nearby Hakone Lalique Museum, a museum that specializes in exhibiting works by French jewelry and glass artist Rene Lalique.
A variety of works from the Art Nouveau to Art Deco eras are exhibited in a tranquil space. You can view about 230 carefully selected pieces from the museum's collection of about 1,500 pieces.
The intricate craftsmanship of the glass works in particular is breathtakingly beautiful, and the way their expressions change depending on the amount of light is something you can look at for hours without getting bored. Being able to appreciate the details at your own pace is also one of the attractions of traveling alone.
The glass works at the Lalique Museum Hakone are truly delicate, and their beauty can only be appreciated by looking closely at them up close. You'll be drawn in by the beauty of their curves and the delicate expressions of their expressions. Many of the exhibits are small, so we recommend taking your time to appreciate the beauty that resides in each individual detail.
Lalique Museum Hakone
| address | ： | 186-1 Sengokuhara, Hakone-machi, Ashigarashimo-gun, Kanagawa Prefecture |
|---|---|---|
| phone | ： | 0460-84-2255 |
| business hours | ： | 9:00-16:00 (last entry 15:30) |
| Closed Day | ： | Third Thursday of every month (open every day in August, but may be closed temporarily for changing exhibits) |
| web | ： | Lalique Museum Hakone Official Website |
Enjoy tea time on a fantastical train | "Orient Express"
The special exhibit "Orient Express" is located on the grounds of the Lalique Museum in Hakone. It is a genuine Pullman train made in 1929, a historic train that once ran on the line connecting Paris and southern France and was in service until 2001.
The biggest highlight is the decoration of over 150 glass panels created by Lalique. The delicate glasswork shines beautifully in the light, creating a fantastical space. In fact, this carriage is not only an exhibition, but can also be used as a cafe where you can enjoy tea time. Tasting tea and sweets in a historic carriage is sure to be a special experience that makes you feel like you are traveling through time.
The interior of the Orient Express is a work of art in itself. By visiting alone, you can spend a luxurious time quietly feeling like a traveler from long ago. The charm of the experience is that you can enjoy an elegant tea time while looking at the scenery from the window or reading a book you bought. It will be the perfect time to treat yourself on a special day.
Orient Express
| address | ： | 186-1 Sengokuhara, Hakone-machi, Ashigarashimo-gun, Kanagawa Prefecture, adjacent to the Hakone Lalique Museum |
|---|---|---|
| phone | ： | 0460-84-2262 |
| business hours | ： | 10:00-16:00 (L.O. 15:20) |
| web | ： | Orient Express (Lalique Museum Hakone official website) |
Choose a gift for yourself at the end of your trip | Nanohana Kurashino Douguten
After enjoying the art experience in Hakone, head to Nanohana Kurashino Doguten near Odawara Station to conclude your trip.
The store is filled with unique ceramics, glass, fabrics, and other items made by artists that will add color to your everyday life. It would also be a wonderful memory to choose a favorite item as a gift for yourself as a memento of a special trip.
It's located very close to Odawara Station, so you can stop by on your way back from your trip. Why not give yourself a wonderful item to use in your daily life as a birthday present? It would be great if you could find a piece that will remind you of your trip every time you use it.
Nanohana Kurashino Douguten
| address | ： | Kanagawa Prefecture, Odawara City, Sakaecho 1-1-7 Odawara Underground Mall HaRuNe Odawara Nanohana Village |
|---|---|---|
| phone | ： | 0465-22-2923 |
| business hours | ： | 10:00～20:00 |
| Closed Day | ： | Irregular holidays (same as HaRuNe Odawara) |
| web | ： | Nanohana Kurashino Douguten Official Website |
Enjoy your trip even more with this new style of solo travel!
The greatest appeal of solo travel is the freedom it gives you, allowing you to enjoy your own time. You can decide your travel purpose and style, all according to your own preferences.
It's especially important to make your dream trip a reality when you have the urge to do so. Maro says, "You never know when the place you want to go to might disappear," and encourages people to travel while being mindful of the importance of the present.
Historical buildings and places you've always wanted to visit may not exist forever. By taking a step forward on your special day, your birthday, your very own "birthday trip" will surely become a wonderful memory!
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The contents published are accurate at the time of publication and are subject to change.
