Toyoko Inn. Reasonable prices, available all around Japan, booking in English online, locations near major stations/in reasonable areas, and very good rates. Because sometimes you just need to pay $60 a night and get a real hotel room that’s near the station.

American living in Japan for the past few years. The one thing you missed out on regarding the conbini services: Payment options, especially for tickets. In Tokyo or Osaka and want to see baseball or soccer? Trying to track down Ghibli Museum tickets? Each of the big three has a ticket and service machine, usually…

Living in Japan (now in Tokyo used to be in southern Japan), drove all around the countryside in a Legacy B4 bought from a friend, and had a very reliable non-factory GPS system. Worked well...except for one time.