Japan (hotel, hotels, vacation, price)

[ORM]

What are the pros and cons of visiting a country like Japan?
What did you dislike about the country?
Will Japan appeal to everyone?
Is Japan an overrated travel/tourist destination?
Did you find Japan to be weird and disturbing?

[wit-nit]

Been to Japan 3 times. It is a most beautiful country with much history, friendly people, crowded, great food, kobe beef is fantastic, pricey. I'd go again if the chance arises. Never had a bad experience. The shrines and gardens are worth every bit of your time too.

[swisswife]

I LOVE Japan. I have probably been about 7 times whilst I lived in Asia. I have been to many other countries but this is one of my favorites. I felt safe there, it was culturally interesting, the history and the architecture are fascinating, I love sushi and despite finding few people who spoke English it was easy to get around if you have half an ounce of intelligence. once you understand how the metro works you will have a great time traveling around Tokyo. I've also seen Yokohama, Kyoto, Osaka, Fuji, Nikko and Kamakura. Except for Kyoto and Osaka I did all the exploring myself whilst my husband was working. I would go back there in a heartbeat as there is so much more I want to see. In fact if we got the chance to live there I wouldn't hesitate either.

[rogerbacon]

I visited Japan 5 times for vacation when I was between the ages of 19 and 32. I would have gone more except it is not cheap. It is a great place to visit. The people are friendly, but a little shy. Most people do not speak English but they can read it OK. (Reading is stressed on the college enterance exams but there is no test on speaking). You can learn enough from a phrasebook or intro language book to get around.
Some tips:
Get the JR rail pass. It allows unlimited travel by rail and is available only to foreigners (it's THAT good a deal that they ban their own citizens from using it or else the rail system would lose money).
Stay at business hotels. They are MUCH cheaper than tourist hotels. The only downside is that, again, no one will speak English. The price differnce though is worth it (more than $150 difference a day). These aren't the capsule hotels that drunk Japanese stay at when they miss the last train home. I never stayed at those. These are just regular, if a bit smaller, hotel rooms.

Lastly, you can find some forums where Japanese post online and ask if anyone wants to hang out when you are over there. You will have many Japanese that want to meet forenginers and will be happy to show you around. And if you are single...