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Technology and ancient culture, 2 nuclear explosion and a country that like the phoenix rose from the ashes of the war and born again like a world leading country. Kimonos, Sushi, Cherry blossoms and so many things I love from Japan that its hard to write them all. The passion and sophistication that Japanese put to almost everything they do is translated specially into their fine foods, excellent handcrafts, perfect technology and extreme organization, where trains arrive at exactly the time as they are announced and minimal details are taken care of.
A unique experience is awaiting to the tourist that dares to visit this remote land of the rising sun.

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Tokyo: Capital City and most populated one as well, also the main gate for tourists heading to Japan

Osaka: Second most largest city an a world apart from Tokyo, for the ones who have the eyes to see beyond Tourism, and although nothing special in the city a good point to explore near by attractions

Nagoya: Third most populated city and Music and Arts center in Japan, a lot of Latin immigration changed the atmosphere of this place.

Kyoto: Huge city with Huge past, visit my page for more details on this amazing city

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Tokyo: There are so many things to do in This City that is hard actually to list them all. Nothing here is really more special than the rest of Japan (I mean temples are better in Nara or Kyoto and buildings you are gonna see them all over) but you might get attracted to see the Tokyo Tower, some temples as the one in Asakusa and the beatiful Parks. A visit to the Technology center neighborhood of Akihabara and Ginza or Ueno its also a nice way to get into the culture

Kansai Area: This is a central area for tourist to Japan, Ideal to see most important sights in Japanese culture.

Nara: One of the most beautiful cities in Japan, once the capital of the unified Nation it's home to the great Buddha or Daibutsu as Japanese call it. Also plenty of other temples, gardens, lakes and ponds are an a good excuse to walk all day.
Kyoto: Temples, Geishas and Culture: see page
Osaka: Although just a city, is a good place to make a base and make side trips to the above locations, while still have the advantage of being in a large city (food, drinking and so on)
Kobe: This city became famous because of an earthquake that flatted it down in the 90's, nothing really special to see in the city but it host one of the most beautiful Onsens I Ever Been, Arima Onsen, a city with plenty of sring waters, and traditional Japanese Stay, in a Ryokan. For more info on this visit my blog at http://theworldnomad.wordpress.com/

North: Hokkaido: great view all around and a great place to visit a Rotemburo

Hiroshima: Flattened down by an atomic bomb and a symbol of Japanese power this is a moving place, specially te museum of the bomb.
Miyashima: Nearby Island with a great temples and the famous floating Tori.

South: Okinawa: Beautiful Islands and a unique culture blend in the south of Japan, giving to this place a special taste, not only in their distinctive food but also the nature of people

Mount Fuji: Icon of everything Japanese this perfect shaped Volcano is a good option to see some nature in Japan and get  away from the cities.

Off the beaten Path: I can bet you that in any local train station in any place in all Japan you will be able to get down and after a short walk around see some temples, an Ofuro (traditional baths) and friendly people. Some places nearby mountains as Ikeda or Ikoma in Osaka are great places to spend the day in the nature and watching Japanese in their daily lives.

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Transportation is in Japan extremely expensive. There are, besides the public JR (Japan Railways), several privately owned train companies and subways. A Rail pass is mandatory for a traveler since individual tickets are expensive, and you can use it to move between cities and inside the cities public transportation as well (only on JR lines though). Trains don't run during the night so make sure you don't miss the last trains.
Be careful when taking taxis as a 20 minutes trip can cost you around 30 or 40 Usd.

Accommodation is also expensive in Japan, but thanks to the last train system (all bad things have something good) there are many options to spend the night out of a hotel hostel. The first believe it or not are the internet cafes, you'll see the advertising with computers. You can rent a room with a computer, a TV, a DVD player and even a game console for 7 or 8 hours and most places even have showers, toilets and food, and as a bonus soft drinks are free. on the bad side you have to sleep in a comfortable chair or a sofa
Other option is private video booth (generally porn) same system as before but little bit more dodgy, although cheaper.

My favorite option is the Ofuro, public baths. Only for men. Nothing like you experience before and not like you imagine it (No sex offers and no gays), many Japanese choose to spend the night in the Ofuro after overworking at their desks and missing their trains home. . Basically an Ofuro is a public bath in which you pay an entrance fee and can stay as long as you want (most also have plans for people that want to stay overnight) and its cheaper than the options named below generally 15 dls for the night. They will have a locker for your bag and you receive a towel and a bath robe. After getting naked you can soak in two or three hot water pools, a cold water pool and a Dry sauna (all places are different but normally that's the minimum). There are several showers around and shaving and soap are generally free. After that there is a relaxation room with couches, sofas, vending machines and a TV. You can sleep there. Rest assure that after soaking in hot water for 2 hours you sleep like a king.
Last option for couples only are love Hotels, hotels for couples for sex. they are great and have many gadgets on the room you might forget why you are there, Plasma TV, Karaoke, Sauna and Jacuzzi, Game console and much more depending on the price. Sleepover is between 50 and 70 dollars on a cheap one.

Language: Japanese normally don't speak English, (you will be surprised even at the airport in immigration) plus they are shy and they are always on a hurry. Asking for directions if you are lost can be frustrating and tiring. Signs in the streets, menus on restaurants, even some indications in public transportation (except the stations names) are in Japanese only.
To order food in restaurants most places have plastic displays of the food in the entrance you can point at them. Some menus have pictures too. Learn some words they will be useful.
Be advised that Japanese are really polite, and if they don't understand what you say they might just never say so and you will end up talking alone. Don't ask for yes or no questions and never hint an answer as they might just say yes to you. ( for example: this train takes me too.... right? might have as an answer yes, and you will hop on a train and realize too late is not going your way.)
Carry with you a Japanese translation of your hotel and the station where you are staying (it makes yourself easier to explain) plus if you have particular request (vegetarian, allergies) have them written down in Japanese and show them to the person you need.

Food: Cheap food is available in Japan as well, don't be discouraged from the signs and manus in Japanese only and try as many things as you can.
For cheap eats head to the convenience store (7/11 Lawson), the have cold and hot snacks and some of them even food. Train stations are a good source for cheap noodles (ramen) and other eats.

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Japan is Famous for technology but also boast some great shopping experiences. Visit some temples in an appropriate day and there will be  a flea market with great bargains. Also the covered Arcades or shopping streets called shotengais are a source of great deals.
Basically to take for souvenir to may think of traditional things as Kimonos, Sushi sets, chop sticks, fans, calligraphy, sweets, but also consider less typical thins as cooking items, electronic appliances for the house (why not an intelligent toilet seat, or an electric fry pan to cook like in Japanese houses).
Japanese are also famously known for their handcrafts, and when you check them out you will understand why, the are so meticulous that every little detail no matter how small is perfectly done.

100 shop: This places are the equivalent to the dollar store, and you might surprise by the size and variety of things they contain, from chopsticks to plants and from pet foods and human foots to souvenirs and containers.

Japanese love to give presents to each other, and there is an abundance of  things to choose from.

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Japanese foods go well beyond sushi

Sushi

Japanese rice
Vinegar
sugar
Nori
Fish, shrimp, etc.

For the rice.
First clean it trough fully place same amount of rice than water, and just little bit more of water. So 1 1/3 cups of water for every cup of rice. If you can cook in rice maker. If you don't have a rice maker you can cook it in a pan, 1st maximum heat for 7 minutes. Then middle heat for 10 minutes and very low low fire for another 10. Turn off and leave rest for 5 minutes.
Place 1 cup and 1/2 of Rice vinegar and add 2 soup spoons of sugar and mix it slowly with the rice while still hot. Put a fan so to give air to the rice while you do this and let cool.
Typical Japanese sushi are not rolls, but Sashimi's. To make them make a long ball of rise, and place a strip of fish on top.
To make rolls Place nori and distribute rice. Place Fish stripes and other ingredients in the middle and close.

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