I have visited Japan during September 2010, and it was such an amazing experience indeed!
I stayed 3 days in Osaka and 8 days in Tokyo, and just regret not extending my stay. The country is of high standards in terms of life style, technology, culture, and you can sense that in all aspects.
I always heard that Japan is such an expensive country and life expenses are too high, but surely that is a common misconception. Comparing Paris to Tokyo, I'd say Paris is surely more expensive!! Even accomodation in Tokyo was cheaper than in Paris or London.
The country was TOTALY safe and peacfull, and the people were very nice, friendly, and more than willing to help you. They got their own Japnese ettiquette based on their very respectful culture. I was glad many shops would still be open till 9-9:30 PM, unlike other cities in Europe where they close a bit earlier.
Technology plays a big role in their daily life, and even their toilets got that tech-touch, lol.
Japanese people got their comics and animated characters photos everywhere, I don't recall seeing much of their own celebrities posters, compared to the enomorous number of their "Anime" hereos
I just want to share some photos of my trip with you guys
1) A typical view of Tokyo's downtown, shot taken from my room's window...
2) A temple in Tokyo...
3) The temple from outside...
4) In the temple's garden, a Japanese man was performing his prayer...
5) An idol in the temple...
6) A Japanese monk I suppose? I saw a couple of them holding bouls in their hands for charity.
7) A Japanese lady wearing a Kimono, smiling to my camera
8- The famous Tokyo Dome City (it includes a big staduim and a theme park).
9) A cute Japanese girl I saw in the public park, Asian kids are the most adorable
10) A Japanese artist in the public park
11) This is a bakery & cafe shop themed with a common Japanese anime, this is just an example on how they got their anime everywhere in their daily life.
12) Jump Shop! Full of Japanese anime souvenirs
13) A poster of famous anime characters named "Naruto" and "One Piece". You can this poster on the Jump Shop previous photo.
14) A resort that's 1 hour away from Tokyo by the Bullet Train called Forestana, which has a nice outlet mall.
15) Another view of Forestana (I really like this photo).
16) The outlet mall...
17) My friend walking towards the bikes...
18) Biking in Forestana
19) Thats me enjoying the beautifull view of nature