Well it seems everyone has, or is making the trip tp Japan.

I have been wanting to go myself, and in the future plan of making the trip. But I always wondered about the communication barrier.

Do you need to know any Japanese or is it safe to go only knowing english ?

Also from others that have made the trip where would be a good place to stay thats close for the toy hunting.

I would like to start planning so I can be ready for next year

I heard if they find out you speak English they stab you in the face

WHOA !!!!

You don't need to know Japanese to get around here.
Just about anyone will help you, but you can always get directions from the guys in the train station. The trains are pretty easy also.
The hardest part will be actually finding the shops. They are so damn hidden even with a map it could take over an hour sometimes.
I cried like a I FART A LOT looking for Erostica the other night
I'm not sure about a place to stay, but Shibuya is the Heart of most of the shops.

It's in your best interests to learn the basics: one through ten, yes, no, please, thank you, you're welcome, could you show me a toy in the show case, etc. It never hurts.

If you're in Tokyo, most of the people working at the train stations and hotels or other occupations where they may have to deal with foreigners will have more English schooling than the average joe. You may also find yourself in situations where complete strangers will want to practice their English on you. This is pretty fun.

If you're outside of Tokyo, you may have a harder time, but not that hard.

Yes I figured i would learn a few basics. It would be ignorant for me to go without a word in my vocabulary.

Aswell start to gather any info on places to stay, travel, etiquette etc....

Thats awesome

What about food ??

Not gonna live off McDs and all that.

I'm a healthy eater. White rice chicken steamed vegetables etc ....is it easy to find decent food ?

I went to Tokyo before I was into collecting vinyl.

It's extremely easy to get around, food shops look like food shops anywhere else, you'll have no problem finding something to eat Their McDonald's isnt that great anyway.

I found the train the hardest to cope with, try to avoid taking it anywhere during peak hour, the crush is a nightmare, especially on the major lines

I was staying at my parents old place in Yoyogi-koen, very nice area, 15 mins walk to Shibuya, and not far from Shinjuku. I had a blast ;D

That's a damn LIE!!!!!

The Golden Arches are INCREDIBLE here!!!!!

In Tokyo, my favorite area is Kichijoji, and I usually stay at the Dai-Ichi there: http://www.daiichihotels.com/hotel/kichijo/Yes, in fact if you don't have time for restaurants, the convenience stores have many prepared meals ready to go, large and small. You'll find a lot of things there.

I strongly recommend the Lonely Planet guides for travel, etiquette, and everything else.

i always ask the cute girls in Tokyo for direction, but they always take me home.

i went with my friend who speaks so it wasnt very hard for me....the first time i looked at the subway map i got a little scared...but it isnt that bad.....yeah try getting an address and finding it...i think its impossible...every store that i was looking for and found was pure luck...haha....super fun though....best trip ive ever had....i got to stay for 2 weeksssssss

dude, I know I've said this before, but I can't wait to eat at McDonald's in Japan