Don't be nervous. You'll have a great time. Just be careful like you would in any big city. Most Japanese people are pretty awesome, btw.

Kappa1,
Thanks for the pictures! Looks pretty interesting, I’m hoping to find some great local art. You know of any place to find local art besides there?

Emd,
That would be really interesting to see a Japanese wedding. Now what would be really interesting to see another cultures wedding.
Yes that’s one place I really want to visit. I’ve heard that the Ghibli museum is something I do not want to miss. I’ll probably get up first break of dawn to head over there. Would you happen if it’s true it were only open Thurs to Mon at 10am to 6pm?
Haa type-o! Sorry yes I’m on a budget so that’s why I’m staying at the hostels. Have you ever stayed at either one of them or even heard anything about those places?
Umm when I mentioned about Edo I was referring to the Edo-Tokyo Museum but now you mention about the old Edo structures that remain.. now that really sounds interesting. Could you tell me a little bit more about them?
I think your right about Kyoto. I was planning on leaving as early as I can to head out to Kyoto from Tokyo, which would be around 5am, or so. But then I was thinking I would be rushing through Kyoto and not being able to stop and see things. I rather come back and take my time there. I’ve been hearing Kamakura or Nikko is a good place to see somewhat Kyoto can be like.

Kappa1,
Yup that's what I meant. I've read about it and it sounds interesting.

Dlai,
Oh it’s a 40 min train ride from Tokyo? I wonder how far is Ghibli museum is?
Now I’m really excited about visiting Kichijoji. Is it a crowded park? Any suggestions on yakitori place? Umm haaa what’s Pachinko?

Gina_07,
Thanks I’m putting that on my list..Friday – Tsukiji market. I was planning on arriving there around 7am. Is that a bit late?
Also, any suggestions on restaurants that sever sushi there?

Hawaiiantraveler,
Thanks!! Your right about breaking it down into sections. Haa you should have seen my first itelliary.. it was all over the place.
I’ll read on those websites and check out hyperdia.com.
My plans might change about visiting Kyoto. I’m afraid that I won’t have enough time to visit the place properly and just be rushing through the place. I might have to save Kyoto for another time. As for now I’ve been told visiting Nikko and Kamakura may be a slight substitute but never replace Kyoto.
Thanks for the info!!

W9London,
Thanks on that JR pass info. I’ll look into the Passmo or metro card.
Great advice about the Christmas lights.. that sounds really interesting!
Bath/spa near the bay area? Sounds interesting.. did it have a hot spring?
Whoa.. is a ryokan that much? Ouch.. I might have to hold off on that till I win the lotto. Haa..

Mango7,
Thanks! I guess just nervous visiting a new place that I only heard about. Have you been there?

JR East includes Tokyo, some bit south of Tokyo and all of Tohoku.
http://www.jreast.co.jp/e/eastpass/index.html

For an inexpensive place in Hakone, you could try:
http://japaneseguesthouses.com/db/ha...oto-hakone.htm

I stayed there. It is inexpensive and quite basic. Shared bath. It is a bus ride from Hakone Yumoto station (Odakyu). It is a short walk downhill to Moto-Hakone on Ashi-ko. The owners have another place in the area.

mrwunrfl,
Great! I'll look into that ryoken guest house. Doesn't look too hard to find.
So JR East will be good enough for my travels.. well I assume.

I am not sure why you want JR East?
If you are planning to go to Nikko,look into this. World Heritage Pass is good for the main tour.
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2358_002.html
https://tobu-discountpass.tobutravel.co.jp/

If you want to save some, use Keisei Tokkyu, not Skyliner from Narita to Ueno. Just 1,000 yen.
http://www.keisei.co.jp/keisei/tetud...arita_day.html

You can use a overnight bus to Kyoto, saving hotel costs.
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2366_kyoto.html

If you plan Hakone, use Hakone Freepass from Shinjuku. You can use Romancecar but again, if you want save some, use Odakyu Tokkyu: http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/location/rtg/pdf/pg-307.pdf
Kamakura is near, too

One more thing. If you don't want to buy individual tickets for trains(JR & subways) in Tokyo, you may consider NEX+SUICA from Narita. It is convenient
http://www.jreast.co.jp/e/suica-nex/index.html
Any balance can be used at some restaurants & gift shops at Narita AP. Read the guide.

For edo structures, try the walking tours of the Yanaka area of Tokyo, four of which are listed and described by clicking on links here:

http://www.digi-promotion.com/tokyo-...aka_tour1.html

Also great photos of Yanaka area at the bottom of that page.

More pics here: http://community.webshots.com/album/2101771GmseeCpCId

http://aschulman.smugmug.com/gallery...22626089_7FXN5

Do some google work and you'll see more.

Amazinga,
Thanks!!! I’ll look into those.. wow I can save some money here. I really appreciate it. I just hope I don’t take the wrong train and end up somewhere north. Haa..

Emd,
Great pictures!! After seeing that I’m marking that as one of the places I need to visit. The walking tour looks great. Do you think it’ll take a full day to walk?

ViewEarth,

I think 7 am is too late for the fish market. Believe me, you will wake up very early. The hotel can tell you when to go in order to see the auction.

Make sure you check the subway schedule for early morning. The trains are less frequent at that time, which we did not know and ended up missing the train by a couple of minutes and waiting for the next one for quite a while.
I found Toyko subway stations a bit confusing, so you should consider that when budgeting your time.

I recommend eating at Gonpachi restaurant. Try to go to the Nishi Azabu location (they have several). Interesting atmosphere and reasonably priced. Was featured in "Kill Bill." You may have to reserve a day in advance or in the morning for a dinner on the same day. They have sushi, too, but I would recommend reserving on their first floor, where they serve yakitori and other things. It's more interesting.

Yes, ViewEarth, I've been there. Its awesome and the people are awesome as well. The only thing I don't like about Japan is that they smoke cigarettes everywhere. Smells like hell in any hotel lobby you're in, or coffee shop. Japan really is an amazing place. Hope you have fun!

Yes, 7am is too late for the fish market. Gotta go there around 6 am from what I remember

Tsukiji is a working market, and last year a new rule was passed that prohibited independent tourists from entering the tuna auction area. This is due to the large number of tourists that go, and the fact that many tourists treated the working auction as an attraction and got in the way, used flash for photos, and generally disrupted the auction.

It is my understanding that only select guided tour groups are now allowed access to the tuna auction, which starts at around 5:00 AM and is finished by 7:00. The tours are very expensive and participant numbers are strictly controlled. Independent tourists will have to be content to wander the other areas and eat sushi for breakfast.