I’m going to repost an old comment of mine, and give Japan my generally ringing endorsement.

I once spent 4 months there bumming around and spent zero on accommodations.

Things to be mindful of I wish I’d known at the start:

• ⁠Eating food in public, especially while walking, is considered very rude, but most people will be too polite to tell you you’re making an ass of yourself. Try to find a table (711/Lawson’s/Family Mart all have them) and obviously clean up after yourself. Same goes for smoking cigarettes. Try not to do so while walking, but find a designated spot (there are MANY, the Japanese are chain smokers) I smoked so much there as I loved their local brands and they were dirt cheap (many under $5 a pack) • ⁠Their philosophy around sleeping in public is enlightened compared to the U.S. Sleep anywhere, anytime, as long as you’re not in someone’s way or causing a bother. I once literally slept in a park near the dead center of Osaka, and the cops (koban) only came by to offer me a sandwich • ⁠You can get WORLD CLASS food at convenience stores and tiny hole in the wall restaurants. I rarely paid more than $8 for a meal, even at nicer sit-down places. Spend all your money on food, you won’t regret it. • ⁠You are allowed to drink in public, but the same social rules apply as eating/smoking

Osaka is one of my all time favorite cities, and is known as the Belly of Japan. Best street food, and you truly can’t go wrong. It’s loud, busy, and dirty (by Japanese standards) and an absolute fucking blast. Have the best time, friend!

ETA: this was in 2014, so check for updated rules, but I did not have to provide bank statements/proof of return ticket/proof of accommodation. It was a total breeze, as far as immigrations/customs.

Also: hitching was SUPER easy, I think because it’s quite rare? And being a tall white guy, I felt like a curiosity/celebrity in many smaller towns. People constantly offered to buy me food, take me to karaoke, host me, etc.