Off to Japan and China for work on the 13th...I have one day free in each city. Plan for ease is to book a half day tour of Tokyo and a full day in Beijing. I don't think I'll have time to get to the Great Wall as it means a seriously early start and I'll be working late the night before

Any other tips, bearing in mind I speak neither language!?

It is possible I will be back in Japan another 3 times in the next 6 months and China twice (I am going to try to arrange Shanghai for one trip), so this is taster time

I have been to China,
very hot and stuffy when i went.
Theres alot of English signs all over the place.In the cities,English is fluent but after that your on your own.

Word of advice stock up on the chocolate and junk food as they eat some right weird stuff.

But do try the little freeze dried packs of duck tongues. A friend of mine goes to China every year teaching and brings some back - they're lovely.

Are they the Chinese equivalent of itchy pigs I wonder.

Have just returned from Shanghai and Tokyo myself. Weather is fine this time of year, very comfortable, about 20C. In both countries the taxi drivers speak little English so either get the concierge at the hotel to help you instruct the drivers and/or print out maps of where you want to go with Chinese/Japanese language.

In Tokyo, the subway is very good so you may want to try that also. It's a big place and takes time to get around but maybe spend the day going round Meiji shrine, Yoyogi Park and the Imperial Palace then in the evening see the shops in Ginza and get some food round there.

I used to live in Tokyo, pretty much what ^^^ he said. I personally wouldn't bother with a taxi in Tokyo unless you're out so late that the trains aren't running but not late enough for them to have started again. The subway is pretty easy to navigate. Half a day won't get you far so a tour is a good idea. Get one that doesn't bother with Tokyo Tower if you can. I for one had already been up the one in Blackpool so didn't feel I was missing much.

As above, best time of the year for weather now (although October is also good). If you're going again over the next few months (in particular July and August) then be prepared to really feel the meaning of the word humid.

If you go again with more time I'd recommend getting the hell out of Tokyo either to to Nikko (about 2.5 hours each way by train) where the three wise monkeys are or Kamakura (about an hour by train) which was my favourite spot for escaping the madness. Lots of small quiet temples and a couple of massive ones. The area around the base of Mt Fuji is also reachable in a day trip from Tokyo.

I did also spend a few days in Beijing but can't remember where I went apart from the wall and the forbidden city. I would say just make sure you get up early and go to the wall but not necessary if you know you're going again soon.

Are the cheery trees flowering in Tokyo?

Yep, they should be pretty happy around about now.

I was in Beijing for a few days last year. The subway is amazing value - it was 20p for any journey, regardless of distance! In one day we did the Summer Palace (easy trip via subway), Tiananman Square and a load of shopping. Don't bother with the wall, it's too far and over-rated.

Jim

I would love to go, but India is about as far as I would go on an Aeroplane

Thanks guys, certainly good to hear the weather will be nice

It does look like I shall be back to Tokyo in mid-May (bah), will look to get out into the surroundings then - although all these unscheduled trips are going to cost me, can't expense holiday for some reason I am told Kyoto is lovely in the spring

If I end up in China again in September, I will try to tag Hong Kong on the end, so I'll be back for tips

I went to Tokyo recently. If I had only one day I would say organise a viewing of morning practice at a sumo stable, walk round a japanese garden, nightfall around Shibuya and Shigoya and then MAKE SURE you go for a drink in Golden Gai.

Well I arrived in Tokyo this morning, taxi from airport was straightforward (and how easy was immigration and customs - nothing like entering the US, I guess the grilling is restricted by the fact none of the officials speak more than 3 words of English ), hotel decent for a big hotel.

I managed Starbucks for a latte and scone, but I do need to pluck up courage to find real food - the restaurants in the hotel are stupid money and all the ones around the hotel are very Japanese (i.e. alarming pictures and no English on the menu)...other than a pizzeria or a Chinese - given I am going to Beijing sooner than I am going to Rome, it'll be pizza I think!

It's been peeing with rain all day so I shan't stray far and I am not feeling very brave