Japan is a unique country to travel to because of the wonderful mix of culture, diversity, modern technology, old world character, and eastern charm. The modern comforts of home are always available, but its never surprising to find yourself in a confusing social or cultural situation. The colors, sights and sounds of Tokyo keep you filled with adrenaline late into the night, but if you wake up early in the morning you can find the character and charm of a city that is cloaked in history. It's easy to fill many days in Tokyo or elsewhere. Find a place for karaoke, dine on some udon noodles, wander through a park, or shop. The energy of Japan's cities truly keep you up all night. Allow yourself to step outside of you comfort zone. Make sure to soak up both this modern, technology driven country, but also get lost in the old alleyways of the old towns. Step into a shop and meet the old man selling teapots. Grab a snack from a street stall or enjoy conveyor build sushi with businessmen at lunch.

Throughout the country you'll find places where modern technology is right next to old world charm. This is a technology driven economy, but it holds tight to traditional values. It manages to simultaneously embrace western influences, while remaining steadfastly isolated in its culture and customs. It's a unique and eyeopening country that still offers all the comforts of home.

Japan is an expensive country to visit in general, but there are some strategies you can use to save money. This is a great country to try couchsurfing. If you find a host who speaks English and is eager to show you around, you'll gain an insider's perspective on the country and be able to sample food at restaurants you may otherwise have missed. Dining out can also be expensive, particularly in the larger cities. Lunch is usually the cheaper option, so if you can cook your own dinner and eat lunch you'll be able to have the best of both worlds. Also remember, tipping is not a custom in Japan. Even if you plan to leave a few dollars, your waiter will likely be confused, or possibly even offended.

Ginza District: An upscale neighborhood in Tokyo that is a great place for shopping or night life. It's one of the flashier neighborhoods in Tokyo and has some high end shops and many excellent restaurants worth trying.
Tokyo National Museum: One of the best and largest museums in Japan, you'll find it just inside Ueno Park. It has many items on display, many of which are famous pieces of art or objects from Asian archeology.
Tokyo Imperial Palace: The main residence of the emperor of Japan, this is a great and popular spot in Tokyo that reflects the areas history. It's located in the city's Chiyoda area near the Tokyo Station. It's surrounded by nice gardens and has several buildings including the main palace.

Tempura: This style of cooking involves battered and deep fried seafood or vegetables which are typically served with rice and a soy based dipping sauce. It's grown in popularity in western cultures as well.
Sashimi: Sashimi is thinly sliced raw meat served with a dipping sauce. While it's typically made from seafood and often associated with sushi, that is not always the case.
Gyoza: This is a Japanese version of pork or vegetable filled dumplings that are either steamed or fried. They're often served as an appetizer with dinner and are available at most Japanese restaurants throughout the country.