 I'd definitely get a 7 day JR Rail Pass. While in Tokyo you can also get a one day subway pass for some lines for 750 yen or all of the lines for 1000 yen. However, the JR Pass makes more sense if you are going round trip from Tokyo to Kyoto and back; it might make it worth your while if you also go down farther south to Hiroshima for a day.
Now as to where to go, it all depends on what interests you. But in general I'd say spend 3 days in Tokyo and 5 in the Kyoto area. While in Tokyo, take half a day to see the Great Buddha, Hasedera, and other sites in Kamakura (go to Yokohama and then change trains). Kamakura is one of the great sites of Japan. In Tokyo, some areas well worth seeing are Sensoji temple (near Asakusa Station), Akihabara for electronics, Ginza for upper crust boutique shopping, Roppongi (esp at night) for expat hangouts and good, cheaper bars, Odaiba for the Statue of Liberty and ride the ferris wheel to get a good view of the city (at least down by Shimbashi). Also go see Shinjuku, for the government buildings (free ride up to the 40+ floor for another good view, or have a cheap lunch and view on the 32nd floor). You can also get good tourist info on the bottom floor and a free tour of the building there).
There are also bus tours of the city, such as at http://www.hatobus.co.jp/english/
Shinjuku has one of the world's busiest trains stations and if you go to Shibuya Station's Hachiko exit, you can see one of the busiest pedestrian crossings, with 3 large giant screen TVs in front of you. And at night just off of Shibuya Station is Love Hotel Hill in Dogenzaka (take exit #8 from the JR Shibuta Stn), which has all kinds of unusual hotels in neon and sparkles for couples, and worth a lot of photos.
If you are in Tokyo on a Sunday, go to Harajuku in front of the Meiji Jingu Shrine.
You can see bizarrely dressed Japanese youth, a tradition going back over 20 years. Meiji is also one of the best sites in Tokyo. And if you're really up to see life in Tokyo, go to the Tsukiji Fish market at or preferably before
6 AM, where the whole place is hopping and you can see freshly caught fish, octopus, shrimp, you name it, as well as auctions for Japanese fish vendors and sushi owners.
SAFETY TIPS
This is a few ideas for a novice traveller and first-time visitor to Tokyo.
1)Always carry on you the full address (in Japanese) of the hotel that you are staying in.
2)Wear a security wallet under your clothes in any city worldwide. Do not wear visible money belts, because they pretty much a ''big neon sign' saying "money and valuables right here"
3)Bring a map. However, chances are good that you're gonna get lost anyway.
4) Learn a bit of the language, especially numbers.
5) In restaurants, cross your forefingers like an 'X' to signify you want to pay the bil.
6) Point with an open hand. Pointing with your forefinger is considered rude.
I HOPE THIS HELPS YOUR FRIEND TO HAVE A WONDEFUL TIME IN jAPAN:)
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