[dkuntz]

Ok. So I did a little reading. It sounds like 2-3 days each in Kyoto/Tokyo are probably enough since I'm not really into the whole club/bar scene and want to spend more time looking at historical sites and architecture, not museums in the current sense. If I'm correct on this, I've also gathered that learning basic greetings and "tourist questions" in Japanese is necessary as is purchasing a phrase book to help. However, by no means is a lack of a handle on Japanese a make/break issue.

It sounds like the Japan Rail Pass is a must based on the varying locations I wish to visit. It seems also that I've set up a pretty diverse set of places to visit which I view as a definite plus. I've heard conflicting information from here to other informational sites I've visited about the use of English on signs in train stations or major tourist locations so I'm kind of curious as to the general amount of English displayed/used at the locations I intend to travel to. Again, any help or clarification if I'm incorrect on any of this is greatly appreciated.