WiFi is practically non-existent in Tokyo - strange but true. Pubic transport is great but navigating the various train lines can be confusing. Food is very expensive - but the small noodle shops are not and are fantastic. Hopefully you like a really firm mattress - I mean really firm. I have stayed in all class of hotels there and they are all rock hard.

+1 on being polite and following the customs. Things given to you will be with both hands - accept with both hands.

Best to have cash for everything other than big meals and hotel expenses.

Really? Because I spent 12 days there on a car related vacation, I took out maybe $200 in cash at the outset, and came back with $100. Every single transaction outside of quick stops for breakfast were done with my debit card. And I ventured all around Tokyo and surrounding areas, which is a massive place

How to correctly say "I want to order some General Tso's chicken"

That would be Chinese food.
That would be Americanized, deep fried, Chinese food.
Probably a "huh?" in most places.

Go for the tempura bento box instead.
Most Japanese food is low fat and small portioned.

They have weird porn and like to eat raw fish...........
I guess that works for some people ;)

Green Cars on the trains are worth the money. Many train stations have one machine that will give info in English if the ticket agent doesn't speak fluently.

For a rest, go to a Ryokan near Fuji like: Kozantei Ubuya - Kawaguchiko Yamanashi Kozantei Ubuya - JAPANiCAN.com

For a traditional dinner up in the forested hills near Tokyo try: Ukai Toriyama - ukai toriyama（うかい鳥山）

So many things in Tokyo, Yokohama and Kyoto have been mentioned. But if you're really into the culture, just take a couple of long walks a few blocks from the tourist areas to sense how differently it is possible to live in this modern world - from car turntables and elevators to complete homes and yards in less space than would seem imaginable. Umbrellas at every store exit, change given in on a little plate by a person with white gloves. Enjoy it all.

LOL, there's a Ted Talk on this subject. Pretty good.

Really...I've had difficulty finding an ATM machine that would accept my card in the heart of Tokyo - right around Tokyo station to be exact. At the airport its no problem. I had to find a Citibank ATM to get me some Yen. The Mizuho and other Japanese bank ATMs would not give me any Yen.

as far things to do in Japan...my wife and I got tickets for a Sumo tournament while we visited:

http://asbury.smugmug.com/Travel/Asi...f0349905-L.jpg

Tsukiji fish market already mentioned...
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otherwise stroll around and take it all in
"no smorking"
http://asbury.smugmug.com/Travel/Asi...DSC_2738-L.jpg
"talent in pub"
http://asbury.smugmug.com/Travel/Asi...DSC_2754-L.jpg
????
http://asbury.smugmug.com/Travel/Asi...f0206385-L.jpg
hanging with Rockabilly dudes in the "mini bars" of the Golden Gai (Shinjuku area of Tokyo)
http://asbury.smugmug.com/Travel/Asi...DSC_4504-L.jpg

First of all do it, I am lucky enough to have been there 4 times, with some trips extending to several months, my wife lived there through work for a year. It is THE photographers dream, I was like a pig in the proverbial!

A lot of good advice so far from people.....

Tokyo is just amazing, a real 24hour place,

Karaoke! this has to be done even if like me you can't sing, locals hire a small room in a karaoke building for little money, it comes with 1000s of songs on state of the art equipment and a waiter who brings you cheap food and beer all night, great night out.

Onsen! no one has mentioned this, Japanese hot springs for bathing which are
used traditionally and socially in Japan. Seperated male and female both indoor and outdoor - you shower first and then bathe totally naked! Very random but has to be done if you want the full cultural experience!

Temples, amazing places in particular Nagano's temple with its tunnel of enlightenment is worth doing. Plenty of great temples in Tokyo as well.

Mt Fuji is worth a trip and the town near it is Kawaguchiko. You can hike up mt fuji during the night for sunrise and if possible is an amazing experience.

Matsumoto near Nagano is beautiful and has a great castle, great historic town.

The people are amazing and very hospitable, also the most modest and down to earth you will ever meet. Locals find it hard to say no so watch how you phrase questions.

The underground subway is the best way to travel around Tokyo and isn't as complicated as it looks. The rail system is amazing and runs to the second, the high speed shinkansen is worth going on.

I know a few cheap but clean hostels / hotels in Tokyo will dig out the details.

All the areas mentioned before in Tokyo are must visits, in particular Harajuku is so bizzare for all the strange dressed up people and street acts, and Akihabara for all its digital shops - I don't know about the US but having gone from the UK its not so much cheaper for electronics but stuff that hasn't been released yet here or is hard to get is onsale at good prices.

If you go soon and ski or board I went to Hakuba which hosted the olympics years back and has amazing snow!

The credit card situation is getting better but only a little. It is mainly cash and few places have epos machines, carry enough cash. Citibank as mentioned is the one to look out for it has the best coverage for withdrawals, I think some branches will let you swipe your card in the door and let you into the machines in the foyer after 5pm until about 10pm.

There is very little if any crime, people will stare at you a bit but mean well and are just curious especially in rural areas. I watched an elderly gent crash his car as he stared at my blonde wife crossing the road.

7/11 stores are your friend for normal essentials and for a quick pick me up on a night out nicotine shot drinks are worth a go!

Going or not Watch "lost in translation" with bill murray!

So much will try and get more info and pics.

Good advice given already. I've been living in Japan with my Japanese (but very westernized) wife for three years. We love it here. We're in Okayama in Western Japan. The only thing I can add is that you should not expect many people (outside of hotels) to speak much English. This can make getting around and ordering at restaurants challenging. Otherwise go for it! It will be a great experience.

gotcha - I just exchanged my cash at the airport so I had Yen on my, but hardly used it. Everything was pretty much on my card - strip club included! Nearly every one of my meals, purchases, both car related and non, on the card. The little cash I used was for a taxi, and some small breakfast stuff. We went all over, Ropongi is the main 'night life' area....any kind of atmosphere you want. I wish I had more time there to have done the hot springs and Mt. Fuji, but it was a car-centric trip, so we went to various shops in and around the Tokyo area. Just remember, it is HUGE. I don't know if it's a fact, but it seemed far bigger and far more spread out than LA. Big change for me who is more used to NYC/DC, etc. But it was the best trip to date, I had an absolute blast, language barrier was nearly zilch as everyone I encountered under 40 ish spoke enough English to understand.

First check this website out it helped me a lot ..


Free Wi-Fi Cafes in Tokyo | Tokyo Cheapo


Just came back from Japan (Tokyo,Atami,Kyoto) last Friday ..

If you never been to Japan you will be shocked how polite Japanese people are , and how efficient the train system is. I could write a novel about my 10 day trip.. But I will list a few experiences

1. Imperial palace (free to enter the grounds) no chance of seeing the palace.
2.craft beer YO-HO BREWING COMPANY
3. Beer vending machine
4. Bullet train (Kyoto to Tokyo)
5. Temples in Kyoto, most are within walking distance of hotels
6. Using a bike as your mode of transportation
7. Local trains runs every 2 minutes from 5am -1am
8. Toyota mega experience Tokyo bay
9. Fresh sushi at a beach city Atami , whale sushi
10. Inexpensive ramen in Shibuya
11. Pocket wifi you can rent at Narita on your arrival Rental Mobile Wifi Mifi Pocket Wifi in Japan, Portable Wifi Mifi router access point:: Global Advanced Communications
12. Garage911.com