It doesn't have to be expensive. I found the Toyoko Inns quite reasonable, and easy to book on the web.

Learn how to use hyperdia.com, and take the train.

Some towns have greeters, who will introduce you to their towns for free, but you need to book ahead. I had a great experience with mine in Kyoto.

The subway system in Tokyo is a royal pain, being run by multiple different companies. Good luck...

ATM use in Japan

ATM usage in Japan can be a little quirky and not like most places around the world. The common ATM machines in Japan do not accept foreign bank issued credit, debit and ATM cards.

The exceptions are the ATMs found at the many thousands of post offices and thousands 7-11 convenience stores throughout the country. These ATMs allow you to withdraw cash by credit and debit cards issued outside of Japan, including Visa, Plus, Mastercard, Maestro, Cirrus, American Express and JCB cards and also provide an English user menu.

ATM's at 7-Eleven stores are available 24 hours per day.

The Japan Post offices have different sets of hours. The larger postal offices of the major cities offer a 24/7 ATM service, including the Tokyo Central Office, Shinjuku Office, Shibuya Office and the central offices of Osaka, Kyoto and a few other major cities(note that even these ATM's are unavailable on Sundays and public holidays for four hours between 20:00 and midnight).

Postal ATM operating hours then decrease proportionally to the size of the post office, from major post offices (typically 7:00 to 23:00, shorter hours on weekends) to medium sized offices (typically 8:00 to 20:00, shorter hours on weekends, possibly closed on Sundays) to minor offices (typically 9:00 and 16:00, closed on weekends).

In addition to the ATMs at post offices and 7-11 convenience stores, international ATMs can be found at Japan's international airports, in it's major department stores and in Citibank(my fav being the branch on the Ginza in Tokyo) and Shinsei Bank branches.

In order to use international ATM's,you need to have the following info with you:

Make sure that your credit or debit card can be used abroad.

Inquire what fees and daily limits are associated with your banks international withdrawals.

Make sure you card has a secret 4-digit PIN.

And of course you should always notify your bank that you will be using your card overseas.

Aloha!

- Take the hotel shuttle bus or train to and from Narita to your hotel in Tokyo. A private taxi could be $300.

- If you see cool sneakers you like, buy them. You will not find them back home, even if they're made by a U.S. company.

- Food in department store food halls - YUM!

- Get in the habit of watching t.v. for the wackiest variety and game shows you'll ever see.

- Look for decent stationery and kitchen supplies at 100 yen stores.

- If someone invites you to sing karaoke, choose a Beatles song.

- Still-alive sushi: Not a myth

- Don't order a random piece of melon; it could cost $2500.