Also, you don't have to go high-end in Japan. I'm a solo traveler, and it's easy to find clean and safe hotels for $50- $100 a night for a single (obviously more for a family). The rooms are small, but they have a private bath (sometimes tiny) and sometimes include breakfast.

In addition, there are all kinds of price levels between the business hotels and the Hyatt Regency.

This is where a guidebook comes in handy.