[Firebird]

I have a Bank account with the Japanese Post office because it is free and has a atm in nearly every city (im travelling alot). also getting money of the atm is free and it operates in english.
But to get money on it you will probably need to send it from the US post office or bring it cash.... and i had to go to another Bank to transfer money for my guest house because the post office is not linked to all banks in japan, so i think youll better go with the bank suggested by the others.

My hanko took a little bit longer and cost around 5000yen. It actually only has my second name in Romanji on it, so it feels kind of insecure,but its officially legal. But you might be able to open a account just with signature.

For getting into Tokyo, i spend only 10USD for the train to Ueno and around 2USD for the subway, but if youre more inside you will probably spend a bit more. I would say around 20USD a day for food if you reduce yourself to the basic (eg, ramen, good lunch deals, fast food, convienince store,....). But i guess you will be without money supply for at least 1 month. To open a bank account you will need a alien registration card, wich will take 2 weeks at least. If you are lucky you can open it with a cetificate that you can get when you apply (you have to ask for it!) And it will take at least another week if not 2 till you get your papers and card after your opened your account, so i would take some cash and a card for emergencys.