[samurai007]

1st thing to do if you are serious about going is buy at least 1 good guidebook, and start reading it. It should tell you what is there, how to get there, and include detailed maps. I like the Lonely Planet guides myself. Trust me, not only will it help you decide where you want to go and what you can do there, it'll be very valuable once you actually arrive. If you have the names of where you want to go, maps on how to get there, and a map of the area you are walking around in, it will help keep you from getting lost. I took my Lonely Planet guide with me on every long trip through Japan and used it constantly.