I went to Japan 2 years ago -- well actually Okinawa ... but still, and I'm so excited for you Mojosmom. I'm going to clean out my drawers sometime this week, and I have this little flipy thingy - that has basic words and phrases in Japanese. POINT BEING -- If I can find it I'll send it you. I'm sure it's much easier than having to bust out a big japanese/english dictonary.
I'm lucky as far as passport photos go, because my Uncle owns a photgraphy studio, that does many many passport pictures, so I got to take my picture as many times as I wanted until I liked it. :-)