Originally Posted by Nv2U
Nothing to do with visiting family, actually. I've been taking Japanese language lessons in school for the last three years, and finally saved up enough money to visit for three weeks.
I also have a business idea and will be looking around at prices of things while I'm there.
Thanks for the tips!
You might get more specific help by posting in the Travel Destinations -> Tokyo forum of this site.
Do you have accommodations and such? I'm not sure what the rules are regarding unaccompanied minors in Japan, but there may be problems with hotels. The "legal" age is 20.
You will need a passport, but no visa is required to visit for 3 weeks as a tourist. Take lots of money as things are more expensive than you think. You can get yen from an international ATM, but make sure your card and any credit cards are "unlocked" for international use. Just call the 800 number before you go.
A good travel guide can be helpful - Frommer's, Lonely Planet, that sort of thing. The best use of $10.00 I made prior to going the first time was Kodansha's "Pocket Tokyo Subway Guide" - available from Amazon. The Bilingual Tokyo City Atlas is also valuable but more expensive at $24.00.
JR