Train travel is an excellent way to see the countryside and a Japan Rail Pass is invaluable. English is not widely used, so a phrasebook is always handy. Just remember, an "arigatoo" (thank you) goes a long way. To save money, buy a bento box of sushi at lunch-it's always delicious or "oishii" as they say. After a meal, don't stand your chopsticks up in your rice, because it symbolises death. also, leave some food on your plate when you've finished, otherwise your host will think you did'n get enough to eat. Take plenty of cash. Apart from in hotels, credit cards are not widely used and cash machines, especially in rural Japan, are scarce.