Japan Guide - Highly recommended web-based guide book.
Rough Guide to Japan - Highest rated guide on Amazon. Lots of people prefer it to...
Lonely Planet: Japan - Used to be good, but has been lessening in quality over the past few years.
Japan by Rail - It looks like I'll be traveling with the JapanRail pass, so this could be very useful.
China
China Survival Guide - Not so much in the way of sights and reviews, but lots of hints and tips on cultural stuff.
Lonely Planet: China - Looks like a pretty good book, though it is big and supposedly illegal due to the fact that it doesn't show Taiwan as a part of China?? I think ripping out the front map and the cover may solve this. Worth the risk?
ChinaTravelGuide and WikiTravel: China - Both wikis dedicated to China travel information.
Itinerary
Since JR passes last for 7 days, I think it makes sense to only stay in Japan for around 7-9 days or so. I figure I'll start out in Tokyo, stay for a couple days, then start using the rail pass to go to any areas north of there I want to see, then make my way to Kyoto and the surrounding area. After that I'll head to China.
Flight Plan
I just started thinking about this, but so far I've been thinking I'll be getting a round trip pass from the states to Tokyo (for the whole month), then a ticket from Tokyo to Beijing (for the last two thirds of the month). I wonder if it would be cheaper to just get one-way tickets from US->Tokyo, Kyoto->Beijing, (last China destination)->US... I'm thinking that one way tickets are more expensive, though. Definitely something to check out.
Other Thoughts
While looking around for information on hotels and places to stay in Japan, I found this account of a night stay at a capsule hotel, which I'll definitely have to try out while there.
It looks like the end of May will be a great time to visit Japan. Hopefully the rainy season wont have started by then.
Beijing City Walls (actual site looks like its having some trouble with the GFWoC) has been recommended as a great hostel in Beijing.
When seeing the great wall, it seems like a good idea to see an unrestored part of it. It's less touristy that way.
Don't Forget
Pepto bismol/imodium.
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