Be patient, and look for available first-class spots about a week before your flight takes off. Airlines start to release ...

By following these rules and preparing in advance, your first trip to Japan can be less about navigating hurdles and more about soaking in the magic of Japan.

Arden Farhi is the managing editor for CBS News' Washington bureau. He has covered several presidential campaigns and the Obama, Trump and Biden administrations. His executive producer credit include ...