I'm thinking about going to Tokyo around this time too. I have a couple of questions though:

1. I've read that this time of year is extremely busy for travel within Japan with people visiting families, etc. This would be our first time to Japan, so would this be a good time to go, or find another time of year? The cold weather isn't an issue for us.

2. Right now flights from LAX are just over $900 for that time period. Generally will these prices drop any further?

3. Why is it so expensive to fly from Japan to other places in SE Asia. It's more expensive to fly roundtrip NRT-HKG than it is LAX-NRT. What is the deal?