Or, you can get into Japan like I did: have a parent in the military and have them request to go to one of the US Air Bases there. :D
I can still go to Japan (well, to the bases), if I made reservations at one of the hotels and there was space on a Space-A flight (via the military, of course). And I think I have to be 18. XD;;
When you're on the base, it's almost like home. It's a base full of US military members and their families, so everything's in English. The houses are pretty much connected houses, and they're built like US houses.
Only downfall is, well, military service for someone, you only have a limited time there, and AAFES. AAFES isn't the best of companies at times. TV sucks too, but I personally didn't care too much. XD
Then, you can go off base and get into the culture... 8D I loved going off base, even if I couldn't (and still can't) understand Japanese.
I did a mini trip to Sapporo in 6th grade. I loved it there. It was beautiful, and just being there, away from the base and into the real culture... it was so awesome. *_*
We also lived in a Japanese house for a month. I liked it, despite the bathroom door. It was translucent. XD;;
I don't know if I'd want to go as an exchange student though. I don't know... Japan was fun, but I fear it wouldn't be the same as the base we lived on. I fear I'd be disappointed in the end. :/
And I don't really want to learn Japanese right now. I'd rather get better at German, since that's what I'm learning right now.
The exchange trip sounds fun though. :D
And have fun at Tokyo. I've always wanted to go, but we never had the money. ...Okay, I did technically spend a night there in a hotel, but it really wasn't pleasant. I got sick from airplane food (I could barely sleep) and taking a bath scarred me for life. ;o;
...that was a lot of babble. o_O