chris, we lived in Japan about 30 years, fluent in Japanese, been about everywhere there. Hey, let me go with you as a guide! Japan is indeed more home to us than America we lived there so long. We especially miss the food! And cleanliness. Your son would be at Yokota Air Base, about one hour on the train to Shinjuku Station, Tokyo. The Yamanote Line circles Tokyo, and Shinjuku (New Lodgings) is the busiest station on Yamanote. Right, avoid rush hour trains, 6-9 am or so, then about 5-8 pm. Nights are about always crowded on trains. Especially Shinjuku, Shibuya, and Ikebukuro. I still have an office near Ikebukuro. Oh me, if you like sushi, go to Sugamo Station, 3 stops from Ikebukuro, exit and walk right, as soon as you exit station area you can see a Denny's across the smaller street, not the 4 lane main street. Right under the Denny's is a kaiten (rotating) sushi shop. Plates rotate around, you just pick out what you want, they bring soup, you get your own green tea and ginger and pay for how many plates you eat. It is one of my favorite sushi places in Japan! Eat like a pig for about $9.00, it'd cost $50 to eat like that in America! Also, Ootoya is a great place for good Japanese food.
Your post made me join this forum! Ask away about Japan!