Strange first post from BicolXP.

Curious,

At the end of the year = December? It will be cold in Japan and cool - warm in Thailand so that should be a determining factor for you. As for safety, both Thailand and Japan are safe but you should still take the same kind of caution as if you're vacationing in your own country.

Things to do? I would search the trip reports for both countries here on Fodors and see what you like(Skiing, diving, riding elephants, cooking classes, temples, palaces, ruins of lost civilisation etc...)

Yeah I'm thinking of going in December. Thanks for the reply and advice. =)

BicolXP is a new poster today advertising for Bicol, Phillipines.

Both Thailand and Japan are very safe destinations, likely safer than wherever you live.

There are many, many excellent trip reports here on both countries. As you make the choice between them, buy a guidebook to help you decide what to see and do. Note that Thailand is tropical so December is one of the best times to go as it's less hot. Japan has areas that will be snowy as well as ares with moderate temps at that time of the year. December is the most expensive time of the year to visit Thailand.

I haven't been to Thailand yet. I felt completely safe in Japan as a single female traveler.

Japan is the kind of country in which kindergarteners do hour long commtes to school by themselves. With the exception of parts of the big cities, I felt perfectly comfortable walking the streets alone at 2 in the morning.

Japan is very safe. We saw school-age (12 years old or so) girls traveling by themselves.

Only thing for single female to worry about in Japan is the crowded subway/train cars during rush hour. On some lines, there are female-only cars, or just avoid the peak rush when traveling.

Thanks everyone's advice has helped!

cg, where are you from??

I'm from Texas.

I don't think you will have any problems in Thailand either, as long as you are sensible. Like anywhere, there is crime, but common sense will prevent it happening to you a lot of the time.

Phuket is a great place to visit and if you need any independent guides please read - http://guides.suksanvillas.com this is a non-commercial website I am writing myself - no adverts or anything

Suksan

Both Japan and Thailand are really safe. Japan is probably one of the safest countries in the world. I forgot which guidebook said that if you ever drop your wallet in Japan, go to the police station and chances are all your money will still be there. The biggest problem I find is the lack of English speaking in that country, the major cities are better. If you needed to ask for direction, your best bet is to go to the nearest hotel. It's good to get yourself a really really good map and a good guidebook and get yourself oriented before you go. Dec is winter in Japan, a destination like Hokkaido is covered with snow, even in Tokyo you'll need a coat.

Japan is about as safe as you are going to get. Take a look at this picture taken just the other day.....

http://peterjacobs.megurosystems.com/2010/01/16/sleeping-on-the-train

Aloha!