I can't comment on your clothes, but there is rarely any reason to carry much around in Japan.

Just run a search for "takkyubin". (In Google or this forum)

It's a very cheap and efficient porter service. My advice is to take two bags. One larger one for the bulk of your clothes and personal effects. The other a small roller with enough space for 2-3 nights worth of clothes. You can get the large bag sent from Airport to Hotel or from Hotel to Hotel or from Hotel to Airport as you please. The small bag remains your companion and you recharge it from the big one as necessary.

Unfortunately, its also the more recently closed museum. :(

I know tech is what you are most interested in, but while in Tokyo, I would suggest 2 great cultural experiences: The Edo-Tokyo museum, and a kabuki performance in Ginza. You would most likely be waiting in line for standby tickets there, and they might be standing-room only. But you should rent the English in-ear translation, and enjoy a fantastic cultural experience.

I suggest you do. Most restaurants prefer their male guests to wear slacks, especially at dinner. Shorts are generally frowned upon when dining out (fast food joints and family restaurants excepted, of course). You can leave the suit and tie at home but you'll get a better reaction from the wait staff if you dress halfway decent.;)

In your case, I recommend the Eyewitness Guide to Japan
http://www.amazon.com/Eyewitness-Tra.../dp/0789455455

Not a guide I'd usually urge people planning a trip to get, but its photo heavy style and minimalist approach to text does get across just about everything worth knowing in a concise and easily digestible way. Your Lonely Planet books will be able to fill in and give further info on anything you get particularly interested in.

I'd go so far as to say shorts are generally frowned on, period -- you don't see Japanese above elementary school age wearing them much, no matter how hot it gets outside. Of course, most Japanese would never be so crass as to comment on gaijin waltzing about in tanpan, but if you want a little extra respect...

Women, on the other hand, are perfectly free to display as many miles of leg as they can muster :cool:

Leather soles are not practical in Japan or for travel most of the time since you will be walking a lot and they may get wet. I like leather soles normally but never travel with them. If you expect lots of tatami restaurants, avoid laced shoes.

I normally just travel with the shoes I am wearing and had gone into Haleakala crater and to meetings on the same trip. Try something comfy like Rockports or similar.

I pack leather soles only when there will be a formal event.

Agreed. In Japan, loafers are your friend. They have the added bonus of looking good and being conducive to air travel (easy to remove at security and while in flight).

I've been wearing uber-comfortable Kenneth Coles around here, but will probably switch to something more robust very soon. Life in Japan, where sitting is often a luxury, takes a lot out of your shoes.

Given the time of year, I plan to wear jeans mostly but was debating a pair of khaki's as an alternative and so I could be a little dressier if need be. The shoes I am debating are plain leather tops with rubber soles. Think of a dressier Doc Martin.

I would prefer slip-on shoes but it's not a possibility at this time (funny shaped feet and no time to break in). The primary shoes I will be wearing are a low cut hiking/tennis shoe hybrid, dark brown/dark blue uppers with an aggressive tread. They have a quick lace hook system at the top and are goretex lined. They can go pretty much anywhere but wouldn't look right with tan khakis.

If you're in Tokyo on the second Saturday of the month, then there's this 'people watching' opportunity:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kimono_de_Ginza

Photos of past events here: http://gojyaku.hp.infoseek.co.jp/ginza-index.html

They've even published a guide on how to deal with tourists
http://www.kimono-office.com/eigo/eigo_set.html

(Next one is the 8th March. Sorry! Don't think you'll be around. Oh well, I'll still post this in case anyone else is interested)

Don't have time to read the whole thread, but has anyone mentioned that you don't have to validate your JR Pass the moment you arrive?

I've arrived in Japan, spent a week or two in Tokyo or Kyoto, and then validated my JR Pass (doable at any major train station) for journeys around the country. Your pass is valid for 7, 14, or 21 days from whenever you validate it, not from your arrival in Japan.

If your hotel is toward the northern end of the Yamanote line, i.e. within a couple of stations of Ueno, you can save money by taking the Keisei Skyliner into Tokyo's Keisei Ueno station. I think it's something like ¥1750 these days.

If you're staying at a hotel that has direct bus service and you're not arriving at rush hour, that can't be beat for convenience.

For convenience (although not money saving) in traveling within Tokyo, get either a Suica or a Pasmo card. These are debit cards that work on all trains (JR and private) and subways in the greater Tokyo and Yokohama area. They allow you to take advantage of whichever mode of transportation is easiest for your particular destination. They're available in increments of ¥1000 and can be replenished at any train or subway station.

Just to be clear -- The list of stations which have offices that can exchange a JR pass voucher for a JR pass is here:
http://www.japanrailpass.net/eng/en009.html

The pass does not necessarily have to start on the date you validate it. When you visit the JR pass exchange office, you can specify the date on which you wish to start using it. That date can be days or even weeks later.

Regarding footwear, there is this thread:

Travel Shoes for the Urban Japan Jungle