Hey OHayou,
thanks for the kind words.
If you are into "real" traveling - I'm also not into sightseeing myself - then you should consider staying with a hostfamily for a couple of days somewhere away from big cities!
Japanese love to have foreigners - especially caucasian - around because:
- they are very curious
- want their children to practice English
- love to help others
...so you can find many websites on hostfamilies in Japan.
Another idea is to "apply" for an "internship" at a workshop.
Pick your field of interest and contact a workshop that you'd love to see, what and how they do for a day or two. I'm sure they'll help with your accomodation too.
Some tips for this area:
- Seki town: knife and sword (
関の刃物直売センター 三秀)
- Minokamo town: washi (japanese paper) (
美濃和紙の里会館)
- Gero city: Japanese Brewery (
www.tenryou.com)
- Tokoname or Seto city: pottery (
My Gallery : 常滑の町/Tokoname, A Pottery City)
- Tokai area: agriculture (
http://www.mjna50.net/)
The websites are just examples...
Good luck and enjoy Japan!
Japean