Top Countries to Explore the World Solo, as a Female Traveler

Japan

Surprise, Surprise, Japan tops the list once again. Nippon is listed as one of the top safest destinations in the world. I spent my time solo traveling and getting lost in random cities here. There was even a time, I thought to be adventurous and take the ferry to Hokkaido (instead of a plane or train) , only thing was I had to catch the ferry from a small town called Mito—Mito isn’t exactly on the “top see” travel destinations in Japan. While I was running behind, in my typical Teisha fashion, I ended up missing my second bus to the ferry. The first person I met turned out to be one of the most kind hearted folks in all of Mito, an old man by the name of Mr. Takeyuki. He ended up helping me find accommodation for the night and get food. That wasn’t the last of Mr. Takeyuki though, for the very next day I ended up having a traditional Japanese lunch with him and his family. Furthermore they also toured me around Mito and I was able to see one of the oldest gardens from the Edo dynasty. Lastly, in true Japanese hospitality, when it was my time to leave this small Japanese city, they waited with me until I caught my bus. Sometimes getting lost isn’t so bad, especially in countries as safe as Japan.

*Nippon is the Japanese name for Japan

Taiwan

The Bike Kingdom (Taiwan’s nickname) boasts a low crime rate and is another top East Asian country that rivals Japan and Korea in terms of attractions. There was a time I had attempted to move to Kaohsiung and had accidently locked myself out of my place on the very first night. My housemate was at work and my phone was about to die of low battery, great combination on my part. Furthermore it was typhoon season and rainy. I was wandering outside trying to find the nearest 7-11 to buy a charger,I bumped into a girl along the way and asked if she had one. Which resulted in her taking me back to her grandparents house, so I can charge my phone and make a few phone calls to my housemate. I didn’t know them and they didn’t know me, and yet I was in their house making phone calls, that’s how safe it can get.

South Korea

Another top safe travel destination and very popular right now due to the K-pop scene is South Korea. If you walk into any Cafe, you are bound to find laptops sitting about with no human in front of them or phones placed down with the owner elsewhere. This country is so safe, that you can set down your electronics while you go use the bathroom and no one is going to touch it. Recently I left my laptop sitting in my bag outside of Top-Ten (Korea’s version of Uniqlo…sort of), while I went shopping (I like to live on the wild side sometimes)—of course it was still there when I came back.

Also Korea exercises strict gun control laws, and is advanced with technology that enhances security and prevents criminal activity in public spaces. The Land of the Morning Calm has a strong social fabric that places emphasis on community and sticking together as a unit. Violent crime is so rare, that when it does happen, it’s major news.

Poland

I fancy Poland and have taken a liking to Warsaw and Krakow. While of course exercise awareness, I have found myself walking outside at night to the Zakba (one of my favorite convenience stores that could rival Japan and Taiwan’s), with little to no worries that anyone was going to bother me. Of course be aware of petty pickpocketing, but overall Poland is known for its stable political climate, low crime rate in major cities such as Warsaw, Krakow, Gdansk, and Wroclaw, and public transportation safety.

Slovenia

I woke up with hunger pains at midnight, and left my hostel to go walk down the street and grab a kebab in Ljubljana. I didn’t even head back to my hostel right away, I went to go sit on some steps in the center and watch some locals film a very performative dance, that looked like a spider dressed in neon crawling on the ground. No one bothered me, I felt very safe to walk around at night as a woman. Slovenia ranks number eight in the Global Peace Index in 2023 for safest countries.

Czech Republic

People literally leave their baby carriages outside of the coffee shops, as they go sit inside for a drink, their baby is still in that carriage. Need I say more? Czechia ranks number 12 in Global Peace Index for 2023.

*japan Photo by Haugenzhays Zhang