Taking each in turn:

1. When is the optimal time to visit? I've heard that March and April are good for exploring weather and cherry blossoms. Any thoughts?
ANY TIME OUTSIDE OF LATE JULY AND AUGUST IS FINE. APRIL AND MAY ARE MILD AND GREAT, SIMILARLY OCTOBER AND UP UNTIL MID-NOVEMBER. IF YOU WANT TO CATCH SUMO HAVE A LOOK ON THE WEB TO SEE WHEN THE NEXT MATCHES TAKE PLACE IN TOKYO - YOU COULD TIME YOUR VISIT WITH THAT.

2. How long do I need in Tokyo. Is it possible to kill a week in Tokyo?
I'D SAY ANYTHING BETWEEN 3 DAYS AND A WEEK IN TOKYO WILL BE FINE. BANK ON 3 DAYS AND THEN ANY EXTRA TIME YOU HAVE BETWEEN TRAINS/PLANES ETC.

3. Are there any other 'must see' cities in Japan. Kyoto has been suggested but I think I'll be a little bored with endless temple visits. MOST FOREIGNERS COME OUT HERE TO VISIT TOKYO, KYOTO AND HIROSHIMA. IF YOU WANT TO ADD ON ANY EXTRAS THEN HAVE A THINK ABOUT NIKKO (SHRINES), NARA (SHRINES AND TAME DEER THAT YOU CAN PAT ON THE HEAD - QUITE CUTE), MIYAJIMA (ISLAND 40 MIN FROM HIROSHIMA - SHRINES AND GENERALLY QUITE PRETTY), HAKONE (SULFUROUS BUBBLING WATERS, VIEWS OF FUJI), KAMAKURA (MORE SHRINES AND A BIG BUDDHA).

4. I'd like to stay in the Park Hyatt for those lost in translation views. Has anyone stayed there? Is it worth the room rate? Any other recommendations appreciated. (THE VIEWS AT THE GRAND HYATT WILL BE EQUALLY GOOD. IF YOU WANT TO SAVE SOME $$$ BUT STILL WANT A GOOD VIEW AND AN EXPERIENCE OF NEON JAPAN ETC THEN GO FOR THE SHINJUKU PRINCE. THE PARK HYATT IS IN SHINJUKU BUT IS ACTUALLY A BIT ISOLATED AND A BIT OF A WALK TO EVERYTHING. IF I HAD GUESTS STAYING AND THEY WEREN'T AT MY PAD THEN I'D RECOMMEND THE SHINJUKU PRINCE - YOU'RE IN THE THICK OF THE ACTION AND THE ROOMS ARE QUITE REASONABLY PRICED - HOWEVER YOU SHOULD ASK FOR SOMETHING BIGGER THAN THEIR BASIC ROOM. THE BASIC IS A BIT TOO SMALL)

5. I'm thinking that it would be great to combine Tokyo with a beach holiday. March and April seems to be too early for Okinawa. Anyone have a view on how far I need to travel to find beach sun? Thailand, Philippines perhaps? (AGREED. MARCH, APRIL AND MAY ARE ALL A BIT TOO EARLY. HAWAII IS THE NUMBER 1 FOREIGN DESTINATION FOR BEACHES, CLOSELY FOLLOWED BY QUEENSLAND. ACCORDINGLY FLIGHTS ARE QUITE CHEAP. I'D HAVE A LOOK AT THOSE 2 DESTINATIONS).

6. Last but not least and back OT. I'll be travelling in J but may try F in one direction. Any thoughts on which direction will be best for the F try out? (YES, TRY F EX-LHR. THE REASON IS THAT NARITA HAS ONLY 1 LOUNGE IN TERMINAL 1 FOR ONEWORLD, SO IT MATTERS NOT WHETHER YOU ARE IN J OR F. OTHER THAN THE LOUNGE THE SERVICE ONBOARD WILL BE THE SAME).

SUMMARY: JAPAN IS AN EXCELLENT HOLIDAY DESTINATION. EVERYONE I KNOW WHO HAS COME OUT HERE HAS ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT. IT'S FULL-ON, BUT BALLY GOOD FUN.