How to handle a two-week solo Japan trip: language, dining, and loneliness?

[Elizabeth_T]

I'm planning my first major solo trip, a two-week journey through Japan, and while I'm excited, I'm also feeling a bit anxious about navigating everything alone, especially the language barrier and dining by myself. I've booked my flights and a mix of hostels and small hotels, but I'm now focusing on the practical details of staying safe and making the most of the experience. For seasoned solo travelers, what are your most valuable solo travel tips for a destination like this? How do you balance having a loose itinerary with staying flexible, and what strategies do you use to meet people or handle moments when loneliness inevitably creeps in during a long trip?