So I'm living in Japan for a year.

Mortal Sky

Next year, my junior year in high school, I've managed to somehow pull off getting a merit scholarship to study abroad in the Nagoya area of Japan for ten months. This is kind of a big deal. I am staying with a host family for this time, but the school I'm going to is an English language American curriculum school. This school does, however, have two periods of Japanese every day, and after school we're encouraged to use as much Japanese as possible. Also, I leave August 25. I've got a summer job, so with any luck I'll have around 2000 dollars of spending money by that point.
So basically, I'm just curious what those of you who have been to Japan have as far as free advice goes. To say I'm a little nervous is a bit of an understatement.

bwanie

Gajin Smash!

Limp moose

Japan is pretty awesome.

I have lived here for over a year now and love it.

2000 American doesn't get you a whole heck of a lot over here. I recommend you spend it wisely. When you first get here it can be kind of over whelming. Don't worry the feeling of total alienation soon passes, especially once you pick up some of the language and start making friends.

Make sure you bring a good camera, and never be afraid to try new things. Raw squid sounds gross to everyone but even a wiggly octopus can taste pretty good if it is prepared right! and the same goes for all the goofy shows, events they have over here. Bring an open mind and expect it to be filled!

Mortal Sky

Thanks for the info.
I've taken three years of high school level Japanese so I do have that advantage, but I still know the initial couple months are gonna be overwhelming.
The only huge money I know I'm laying down is for a Japanese Fender Jazzmaster. Beyond that, I'm not a huge spender, but yeah I'll definitely try and take my money as far as I can get with it.
Yeah, I've been reading Gaijin Smash for ages. Funny stuff.

mooshoepork

In regards to the Jazzmaster, think about getting it back home as well. Make sure you prepare it for the flight and everything. Truss rod etc...

tehmarken

There's usually one of two reactions you will get from Japanese people: OMG you're so cool or OMG get away dirty foreigner. This is usually in the form of either people staring at you or people making ridiculous routes to avoid walking anywhere near you.

The best thing to do is know Japanese social customs, and be polite all the time. When in doubt, smile and bow.

Buying big things and taking them out of Japan can be a big hassle and costly; if you have extra luggage allowance and get a really sturday case the guitar would be fine; otherwise I'd keep second thoughts on it.

FeatherBlade

Convenience stores are your friend, the Post Office is really easy to use and might be a good option for shipping your guitar back, and Suica Cards are really convenient.

I'm sure that your host family will be able to help you a lot, just ask politely whenever you don't understand something.

Home sickness runs in cycles of approximately four weeks. The first month you will be too excited to be overwhelmed, the next four weeks you will feel overwhelmed and want desperately to go home where you understand what people are saying and you are not functionally illiterate, the four weeks after that you will have achieved equilibrium. Lather, rinse, repeat for your entire stay, each cycle becoming less and less intense. If you ever get really homesick, there is always Starbucks and Seattle's Best coffee shops.

Just remember to say Three Nice Things about anyone/thing that is giving you trouble, and, if possible, visit some museums.

Have a great time!

tehmarken

Do they have Suica in Nagoya? In Hokuriku we don't have a card, and I think Kansai area uses Icoca card.

FeatherBlade

Erm... you may be right. Sorry, my bad. Whatever JR card is available in and appropriate for your area then.

I was 2 hours NW of Tokyo, so we had Suica.

Edit: According to Wikipedia the company that goes thru Nagoya is Central Japan Railway company, and their rechargeable smart card is TOICA

CygnusZ

I don't think the op has much to worry about. If he's around Nagoya, there'll be nothing uncommon at all about seeing gaijin roaming the street. In fact, it sounds like he's attending an international school so there will actually be a very low amount of culture shock. The thing you might need to worry about a bit is having a good relationship with your host family. Some nice gifts for when you meet your host family include Rice Krispie Treats, Jelly Belly Jellybeans and Chex Mix. A taco kit might actually not be a bad idea.

As for commuting to school, your family is most likely going to buy you a commuter pass that allows you to get from your home to school and back. This is because a student commuter pass is dirt cheap. I don't think you'll have to deal with a TOICA, as it is way more expensive and a high school student really has no use for it anyway.

Synthesis

My recommendations mostly come from living in Yokohama, which has neighborhoods in which non-Japanese very easily outnumber Japanese, but it may be applicable to Nagoya as well.

Remember tipping isn't done (almost anywhere), and in the few that it is done, people will appreciate that you're strapped for cash and should let you go. Convenience stores are very, very helpful. If you're having trouble communicating, or just don't know how to say something, consider than many Japanese are better at reading English than audibly comprehending it, so keep a pen and a notepad handy where you go.