Getting to know people in Japan

The Japan National Tourist Organization (JNTO) http://www.jnot.go.jp have
information pamphlets for major towns and cities across Japan. Often these
pamphlets have a section dedicated to providing details of local volunteer
guides etc. The only catch is you must pay for the guide's transportation
fees and for their meals if you eat with them

"Hallvard Tangeraas" wrote in message
...
I'll be going to Japan during spring 2004 and worry a lot about how I'm
going to figure stuff out, get around, find (cheap) places to stay etc.
I talked with someone here who had been to Japan for a month, though
staying with friends at (expensive!!!) hotels etc. and was suggested
that I try to get to know people in Japan through the Internet who I
could hook up when I get there.

I was told that a lot of Japanese people are curious about getting to
know foreigners, and would happily show you around and help in exchange
for speaking English with you.

Being from Norway I was furthermore told that my country is considered
an attractive option for visiting, so perhaps I could even offer someone
in Japan a free stay if they come here, if they help me out in Japan.
Any ideas, suggestions about all of this?
I don't suppose anyone in Japan reads this newsgroup?


Hallvard
--
Atari Launchpad : http://launchpad.atari.org
Notator/Creator SL : http://www.notator.org