Travelling Solo during Autumn

Hi,
I have plans to travel solo to Japan during autumn (end of November 2013)
I would most likely be booking with a budget airline, so destinations are to tokyo (haneda airport) or osaka(kansai airport)
I haven't fixed any dates or any plans at all, just trying to do some preliminary research to see if it's okay for a girl to travel solo to japan.

what i would like to get out from this trip is
- eating delicious food and desserts! As I am a baker, I love to eat desserts and i trust that japanese makes one of the best desserts! i'd be more than happy to sign up for a desserts-eating-trail!
- to see autumn colours (if i can't make it for autumn 2013, maybe spring 2014)
- sight seeing (temples, parks, landmarks)
- shopping on street wear (not branded or expensive things)
- self discovery, well just an adventure to travel solo
- meet some locals perhaps (have heard of tokyofreeguide)

Other info:
-I dont know Japanese. Maybe only konnichiwa, sayonara, oiishi and kawaii.. Haha
-Budget travel of course.
-Maybe 6-7 days.
-nope, I haven't step foot in Japan (although I've been to korea, taiwan and hong kong with friends)

appreciate and thanks in advance!

I have plans to travel solo to Japan during autumn (end of November 2013)

Sounds good. Just read the following to work out good dates. Timing can move a little each year:-
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2014.html
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2014_where.html
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2014_when.html
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3953.html
http://www.japan-guide.com/blog/koyo12/
http://www.japan-guide.com/blog/koyo11/

I would most likely be booking with a budget airline, so destinations are to tokyo (haneda airport) or osaka(kansai airport)

I would probably just pick Osaka and concentrate on Kansai area (Osaka/Kyoto)

I haven't fixed any dates or any plans at all, just trying to do some preliminary research to see if it's okay for a girl to travel solo to japan.

In general Japan is very safe to travel.

- eating delicious food and desserts! As I am a baker, I love to eat desserts and i trust that japanese makes one of the best desserts! i'd be more than happy to sign up for a desserts-eating-trail!

There are many excellent desserts and bakeries in Japan. There are also some all you can eat dessert places too.

- to see autumn colours (if i can't make it for autumn 2013, maybe spring 2014)

As above.

- sight seeing (temples, parks, landmarks)

Kyoto seems an obvious choice.

- shopping on street wear (not branded or expensive things)

Shopping in Osaka may suit.
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e4013.html

- meet some locals perhaps (have heard of tokyofreeguide)

Also various Goodwill Guides. eg. for Kyoto:-
http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/arrange/travel/guide/list_volunteerGuides_a-...

-I dont know Japanese. Maybe only konnichiwa, sayonara, oiishi and kawaii.. Haha

You will be fine.

-Budget travel of course.

If you plan to stay in Kyoto book well in advance as it is peak season. Osaka also needs to be booked in advance but is not as busy as Kyoto. You can use one as a base for the other, it is around 540 yen and 30 mins each way between the two.

-Maybe 6-7 days.

With such a short time I would probably just concentrate on Kyoto/Osaka but you could theoretically split time between Kyoto and Tokyo if you prefer. If you do this, try and fly into Tokyo and out of Osaka. You can use an overnight bus to move between the two cities, or fly with one of the budget airlines, or just pay for the Shinkansen one way if you wish to experience that.
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2363.html

-nope, I haven't step foot in Japan (although I've been to korea, taiwan and hong kong with friends)

I'm sure you will be fine then.

Enjoy your trip!

The Japanese make amazing French style pastries, breads etc.
Japanese desserts are an acquired taste, nothing at all like Western ones.

I do love their shaved ice with condensed milk, Azuki beans and some special flavour. They also make some mean "Parfaits" with both fresh and frozen yogurt. Mind you they are as expensive as a small lunch..

If you plan to come at the end of November then anywhere from Kyushu to Tokyo should be fine. However, it will be too late for Tohoku and Hokkaido.

Kyoto is beautiful in autumn, but insanely crowded. As an alternative I'd suggest Mt. Koya (however the autumn leaves come earlier there): http://zoomingjapan.com/travel/mount-koya-travel-report/

Also very beautiful in autumn is Fushimi Castle (aka Momoyama Castle) in Kyoto, but not crowded at all as not many tourists seem to know about it: http://zoomingjapan.com/travel/momoyama-castle-kyoto/
It's near the famous Fushimi Inari Shrine!

Thanks GC3 for the links and tips.

so maybe 4 nights in kyoto (do all the sight seeing) and 2 nights in osaka (shopping so i dont have to carry heavy luggages early of the trip) would be fine?
what is the main subway line or more prominent area to stay so its more convenient to move around ? I've checked out some accomodations that provide free bicycle for rental..

Thanks zoomingjapan, the momoyama castle looks beautiful! Mt. Koya looks very scenic too but i'm not too comfortable with seeing so many graveyards alone :S

Also, do people go for onsen during this time ?
Is rain common during autumn ? as I've seen many photos with people holding umbrellas..

Japanese people always visit onsen. In colder months there might be more people than in summer, of course.

Usually it's not raining a lot at the end of November - at least not in Western Japan.
But you never can predict what the weather is up to.

It was raining a lot when I visited Kyoto at the end of November last year, but yet I got some awesome photos. I posted quite a few on Facebook if you want to check and see if it's worth going: http://www.facebook.com/zoomingjapan

If you are interested in french pastries, Tokyo will have the best specimens - http://www.japan-guide.com/forum/quereadisplay.html?0+98878

But I'm sure you can get good stuff elsewhere. For Japanese style Kyoto and Osaka would be great though.

Japan is safe for women travelers; the one caveat is that you should watch out for perverts on the train. Crowded trains are the worst.

If you are into sweets, Jiyugaoka in Tokyo is where you should go. Jiyugaoka is the most competitive place for cakes and sweets, and whoever surviving here are the best.

Mont San Clair
http://www.ms-clair.co.jp/

Patisserie Paris S'eveille
http://shop.jiyugaoka.net/paris-seveille

Patissier SHIBUI
http://www.patissier-shibui.com/

A la Campagne
http://www.alacampagne.jp/jiyuugaoka.html

Kona to Tamago (Ferine et Ouef)
https://plus.google.com/103300141658349594115/about?gl=us&hl=ja

Loire
http://www.nihonbashi-loire.co.jp/