[RavenV1]

Anime is lovely and all. But I'd like to see real Japan. I've watched a lot of travel shows and met a couple people from there. It seems like a place that would both be very familiar (capitalism) but also so foreign.

But yeah, the language barrier would be really difficult.

It really depends on where you are like Kyoto is also very populated but is more traditional then for example Downtown Tokyo which is branded by pop-culture, Chiba is also a very busy City but in a more industrial, bureaucratic way.
But don't take my words for a 100% granted i only know it because i worked for a Long-dastance-Trip Company and therefore had to do a lot of research because it was by far the most populare destination by most of our costumers, never been there myself yet.

I actually want to do a trip where I get to experience lots of different parts. I'm not as interested in big cities, but would have to do some for sure.

Then i can only suggest you visit Kyoto or Osaka City, good destinations for tourists who want to see more trad-culture then pop-culture but you have still good posibilties to go out at the evening and not just sit in your room. At least from what i researched.