I finally did it! I used my frequent flier miles and got a ticket to fly to Japan in the middle of October and stay for a month. Now I have to start planning how I will use that month. I am particularly interested in Japanese Folk Art, folding screens with scenes from Kyoto and Edo, and of course, many Buddhist and Shinto temples.
I went to Japan a few years ago for the first time and I had the time of my life! I stayed 10 days. I would go back in a heartbeat. I loved the entire experience (well, maybe not the squat toilets), but it was fascinating.