I have been traveling solo around Japan for over a month, mainly visiting less touristy areas between places like Hakodate and Kobe.
While popular destinations such as Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka are often described as overcrowded, my experience has been the opposite in smaller locations. I have stayed in multiple hostels that can accommodate dozens of guests, yet I often find myself completely alone. This has happened several times, even during peak cherry blossom season.
It makes me question whether the idea of overtourism in Japan is somewhat misleading, or if most travelers are simply concentrated in a few major cities while other regions remain very quiet.
One downside is that I enjoy the social aspect of hostels, and the lack of other travelers has made it harder to meet people.
I am curious how others choose hostels to ensure a more social environment, especially in less popular destinations.
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