Japan Hotel Accommodations

Tokyo
Hotel Toyo
Oak Hotel
Khaosan Tokyo Smile
Backpacker's Hostel K's House
http://yokohama.hostelvillage.com/en/
http://www.toukaisou.com/index-e.htm
khaosantokyo.com


Osaka
Hotel Taiyo
Guesthouse Ueno
Hotel Chuo

Kyoto
Econo-Inn
Hotel Gojo


http://www.guardian.co.uk/travel/2012/feb/01/10-best-budget-hotels-tokyo
http://www.tripadvisor.ca/TravelersChoice-Hotels-cBargain-g294232
http://hanahostel.com/e_link.html

Shiretoko National Park

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shiretoko_National_Park
Shiretoko National Park (知床国立公園 Shiretoko Kokuritsu Kōen^?) covers most of the Shiretoko Peninsula at the northeastern tip of the island of Hokkaidō, Japan. The word "Shiretoko" is derived form an Ainu word "sir etok", meaning "end of the Earth".

One of the most remote regions in all of Japan, much of the peninsula is only accessible on foot or by boat. The park is best known as the home of Japan's largest brown bear population and for offering views of the disputed Kunashiri Island, claimed by Japan. The park has a hot springs waterfall called Kamuiwakka Falls (カムイワッカの滝 Kamuiwakka-no-taki^?). Kamui wakka means "water of the gods" in Ainu.

Japan: It's Not Funny Anymore

http://kotaku.com/5484581/japan-its-not-funny-anymore

YEN to USD

http://www.x-rates.com/d/JPY/USD/graph120.html
http://www.yen-to-dollar.com/

Best place seems to be the Japan Post Office, next are the Japanese banks.

what to pack for japan

http://www.realgap.co.uk/What-to-pack-for-Japan

bags, sturdy backpack
documents
warm clothes and rain coats - weather http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2273.html, june = rain (tsuyu), 31-5 degrees
shoes
towel
camera
toiletries, toilet paper, toothpaste, floss, sunscreen, deodorant,
first aid kit
guide books, phrase book, form book
pen and paper
gift
padlock
alarm clock
money - atm and visa on post offices (http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2208.html) (yuubinkyoku 郵便局 http://www.yuubinkyoku.com/index.html) and 7-eleven
ear plug
entertainment - ds


http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2063.html
July
Kyoto Gion Matsuri (more details)
Kyoto
The festival of Yasaka Shrine, Gion Matsuri is ranked as one of Japan's three best festivals, featuring over 20 meter tall festival floats. The highlight of the festival takes place on July 17.

Biwako

http://www.kandou10.jp/en/emotion/e07_5.html

Biwako Lake Festival, 40km circumference!

Origami

I learned how to do these from the origami club, the dog (chiuaua?) took longer than the flower (chrysanthium flower), I learned the flower from someone, didn't get her name, but she seems passionate about flowers, not so much with animals :D

yellow Chrysanthemum (looks like a sunflower but the pollen in the middle is smaller), often called 'mums'

In some countries of Europe (e.g., France, Poland, Croatia), in Korea and in Japan, white chrysanthemums are symbolic of death and are only used for funerals or on graves - similarly, in China, white chrysanthemums are symbolic of lamentation and/or grief. In some other countries, it represents honesty.[2] In the United States, the flower is usually regarded as positive and cheerful.

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