Japan
I loved Japan. It is so well set up to assist tourists. I found friendly people everywhere wanting to practise their English. I spent one week on Okinawa Island. & 3 weeks on mainland Japan in 3 different out of the tourist norm locations where little or no English was spoken. My Japan Rail Pass (bought in Canada) allowed me to travel throughout Japan. I used three timeshare trades (which took me three years to get). This not only gave me incredible accommodations but saved me many many dollars. I had taken Japanese 1 at home the year before I travelled so I would be able to converse a little . Respecting the culture, being knowledgeable about Sumo & trying the language opened many doors for me. Japan can be very expensive, but I was able to spend a month there on my $1000 monthly budget. Avoid restaurants that have plastic food in the windows, eat at bus stops and small places that the locals go to, shop in the markets. A friend, Cathy, joined me for one of the weeks- great to have company from home.