Questions for those who've been to Japan.
 

I could've sworn I remember a Japan thread here somewhere, but I thought it would be best to make another thread as I remember the other one being about recommendations in Japan, not general questions about the country itself. Plus I don't like hijacking other people's threads.

I like anime, I like japanese women, but I'm not a japanophile by any means. I don't know how to explain it, but when I look at pictures in Japan I almost feel like I've been there subconsciously. It's very weird, but I'm always breathless looking at pictures. It's just somewhere I always wanted to visit. Yes, I love anime, yes I love japanese women, but it really has nothing to do with that. I'm interested in a lot of the country. From Kyoto to Tokyo to Osaka.

Anyway, here's the deal. I was talking with my friend about traveling there in a year or so. I usually hate traveling, but I'd like to travel there. I've heard great things about Japan. For those that have been there I have some questions:

1. Is it as cool as people say it is to visit?
2. How long would you recommend staying? My max travel time is usually 2 weeks since I hate to travel. Is that long enough to experience everything? When did you get sick of it, if at all, when you've been there?
3. What was your favorite city to visit?
4. Can you get by without knowing any japanese or is it very hard?
5. Is it a place best going with specific things to visit or to just go and experience it on your own accord?

Thanks if anyone can enlighten me!

Okay, I´ve been in Tokyo for four days only, so maybe it is not too accurate.

1) Yup.
2) 4 days is not enough. One is needed to recover from jetlag. I think 2 weeks will be okay.
3) Errr... Tokyo. ^^
4) I visited a friend of mine there whose japanese was alright, that helped. When I was on my own trying to get along with english only people understood me, but they seemed either uneasy or excited to use their english language skills.
5) I think it is best to plan beforehand, especially when you want to see a lot of places in short time.

Been there several times, for weeks or months so from my point of view :

1 : Cool isn't the right word. Let's say it's interesting.
2 : Like SenorKaffee, I should say minimum 2 weeks, one week is enough for Tokyo while you need more time to discover the "real Japan".
3: Kyôtô and Nara, no doubt.
4 : It's recomanded to get japanese notions, since their english 90% of the time is worst than mine (which means close to awful). Also you need a trustworthy map to travel there. An example : At Tokyo once I asked my way to a cop, the cop was quite embarassed and asked to another cop, who asked to a third cop. Also, you should get issues with the subway plan at first, but after a while you'll get used to it. A good avice would be to take the Japan Rail Pass if you plan to get outside Tokyo.
5 : It's up to you ^^ But it would be a shame to stop only at the Akiba crap while the countryside is awesome. Also Tokyoites got a very weird (stressed+cold) mentality compared to the people who live in the west side of the country (warmer and friendly).

Akiba isn't crap.

Densha Otoko wannabe +5