[jasonbvr]

You get a visa by getting a job. You get the job by going to college. You go to college in Japan by taking the entrance exam or studying abroad from your home university.

If you want to, buy a roundtrip ticket to Japan. They will give you a three month visa on landing, no application needed for Americans. Stay as long as you like, illegally if you must. If you can find a job with a company that will give you a work visa, sweet.