Japan is widely known for its unity, harmony, consideration of others and putting another’s desires before one’s own. Even in the compact, overcrowded metropolises of Tokyo, Osaka or Kyoto, there is an undeniable sense of coexistence among its dwellers.
That being said, after hours spent at work or depleting our social battery, there are many of us who prefer to be in solitude and proactively create space between ourselves and others to enjoy activities. Though this has been a common practice for decades, in recent years, it has become known as “solo katsu” or solo activities. Solo katsu has cemented its place in Japanese culture and is even commercialized by certain establishments and services that were originally known for catering to group activities, such as barbecuing or karaoke.
Japan has established a strong foundation for cooperation and constructing a harmonious society where members are well-connected. On the other side of that coin are constraints that one has to face alone. Having maximum consideration for others is not all positives, and while there is a degree of peace in doing so, making it a routine part of one’s everyday can lead to the accumulation of stress and anxiety.
Solo katsu, or spending time on one’s own, is a practice that creates a peaceful distance between self and others while also giving one the ability to enjoy oneself without being disturbed. Venture around anywhere in Japan, and you will see many people enjoying solitary activities, standing in bookstores reading for hours on end (also known as tachiyomi), hiking in the outskirts of town, grabbing a beer at a standing bar after work, or even enjoying a luxury full-course meal.
Taking something that one does on a daily basis or as a form of personal sanctuary and attaching to it a wonky moniker like “solo katsu” may, in our opinion, lead to oversimplification or take the fun or romance out of the practice. However, it also removes the stigma unfairly placed on otherwise well-intended activities. In a society where one is hyper aware of others and constantly on edge, it is beautiful to see the concept of enjoying solitude acknowledged not only as a personal freedom, but also a critical necessity.
