Originally Posted by hailstorm

I believe the OP said he was only going to spend two days in Japan.

Two days in Japan in January, come to think of it. You know, if Okinawa is an option, I say go for that. It's not nearly as cold, and a totally different yet totally interesting view of Japanese culture that most non-military Americans never get to see. You can hit most of the cultural and cosmopolitan highlights (Shuri Castle, Kokusai Douri, Okinawa aquarium) in a single day, and if you have another you can rent a car and hit a bunch of other smaller "only-in-Okinawa" sights (Ryukyu Okinawa Village, various Mom & Pop tourist traps, etc.)