My best piece of advice for anyone going to Japan is buy this book and bring it with you. It makes life much much easier. In the back is both english to japanese AND japanese to english dictionary, whcih means the japanese person can also easily look up whatever word they are trying to say to you. Even if you get the phrase wrong or pronounce it incorrectly, the locals almost always show their appreciation that you are making an effort by returning extra effort to help you with whatever you are asking for. Best $10 I ever spent.
http://www.amazon.ca/Lonely-Planet-J.../dp/1742201865