Ken,
my 10^-2EUR thought:

Japanese like meaningfull gifts in expensive wrappings (handmade by yourself is best). Meaningfull means something even small that represents the relation to your country (I know only the right ones for germany). Don't miss to slip out of your shoes if enter someones flat. An old people need to be respectected.

Agnes
>Hi,
>
>I have the opportunity to visit Japan (Tokyo) in October. We will be staying with a family that has invited my wife to lecture at a conference on her specialty, ventriloquism.
>
>Can anyone give me tips on proper etiquette etc for our week long visit?
>
>I would also like to know if it will be a problem taking my laptop along and what to expect to pay for meals at restaurants and any surprises a first time visitor is likey to encounter.
>
>Thanks,
>
>Ken