One other point to mention: Not a destination 'per se', would be to maybe watch 'Lost in Translation'. I watched it one week prior to leaving for Japan, and it really got me excited about going. I think sometimes, the purpose of movies, guidebooks, and even internet forums about a particular destination, besides informing you, is also to excite you. For me, it was kind of like playing a game of, 'I want to see the mural in Shibuya station, that was listed in Fodor's guidebook.' When you finally do see it, you understand the context and the story behind it. Or the 'Legend of Hachiko' dog statue. When I went with people from work, we talked about the story on the train, and then went looking for it at Shibuya station. When we found it, it was all exciting, and we were all taking pictures with it. So, I think that preparation helps a lot in making a trip more enjoyable.

It helps so that you have a better appreciation of what it is you're seeing. I liken it to doing the pre-read before a college lecture. When you just walk in cold (and we all have), it just seems like a bunch of random words etc. But, if you know what it's going to be about, you can have a better understanding of what the professor is talking about.

This is just what has worked for me. But, feel free to throw it out, if it doesn't work for you!