I consider myself a japanophile, currently taking a break from banging my head against kanas and kanji alike. I think your story is amazing! It's like my highschool dreams come true.
I discarded living in Japan a long time ago due to their complicated attitude regarding gaijin, but I sure hope I get to visit once I get my life more or less sorted out.
Great post! It was fun to picture what it must have been like to spend all those youthful years in the land of the rising sun. Upvoted and followed!