Questions about living in Japan

Hey Everyone,

I have a few questions on living for a short period of time in Japan. About 2-3 months at the most.
First off I might be staying in Kobe as a teacher's assistant/ interning translator ( this half of my trip is still very much up in the air. A lot goes into something as serious as this unfortunately ) for about a month and a half or so. I am still unaware of my living conditions there, and have been looking just in case my host family doesn't pull through, or anything else goes wrong. As far as Kobe goes I haven't looked as much into housing or apartments for rent as I have in Tokyo. Which comes the second part of my trip. After my stay in Kobe ( still a question mark here) I'll be traveling (this part of my trip I will definitely be doing 100% ) into Tokyo and staying there for the remaining 1 month of my stay. Here is where I have a BUNCH of questions. I know that not just one person can answer all of my questions. But as long as you have a little bit of truthful information, I'd really appreciate it!
To make it a little bit easier I'll list my questions and the ones you can answer please do. : )

-Where in Tokyo is the best ward to stay in? Such as Shinjuku or Shibuya. I've heard that Tokyo is a relatively safe city. However keeping in mind that any place you go to is not ever really ''safe''. I haven't a clue what area to stay in. This will be a once in a life time opportunity for me, as in feeling and just enjoying everything. So I don't mind paying a tiny little bit more to be closer to the hustle and bustle. However I wouldn't mind walking or having it take me a little longer to get from place to place. I'd like to be close to shopping and things like that though.

-Housing/Apartments. Staying in Japan for a month means I do not want to stay or share a house or an apartment with another person. I've heard a lot about Sakura House. In the research I've done so many people say that their stay in the Sakura apartments was a pleasant one. However, looking back at all of the things I've found, most of these reviews were written in 2005-2006. Then going down to look at the newer comments left, people say they sucked and weren't worth all the money they spent on living there. If you have lived in the Sakura apartments in the last three years, how did you like it? Was it clean? In a safe ward? Would you stay there again? Would you say that I could find a better vacation apartment for the price of one of the Sakura apartments?

-Is there another apartment complex (or company ) that you would recommend over the Sakura housing? Or possibly a website that I can do better research on?

Another big problem for me is I am underage in Japan, and in the United States ( underage being 16 ). I was thinking of having a friend whom works for the airlines and will be checking in on me during my stay in Japan, check me into the apartment under her name or something like that and I will only live there. I'm not sure how greatly that would work out. I still need to go over many things (as you can see I'm only trying to gather as much information as possible at this point ).
Has anyone heard of or had a friend or yourself stay in Japan alone underage? I'm sure there has been, but I mean as far as renting goes?

-If I rented an apartment do all the amenities come with it? Such a cooking utensils and internet service? ( I understand I may have to pay an extra fee for these things )

-Would I have to pay an extra cost for heat and electricity?

-If I stay in a rented home and do not like the ward I'm in or home, can I back out of the contract?
Or it just depends on the apartment renting? Has this happened to anyone you know or yourself?
Will I be able to get my deposit back?

-In the apartment, would I be able to wash my clothing in the building? Or would I have to go to such place as a laundry mat?

- I'm sure you can, but this question I would like to just, again, collect more information.
Can I buy a monthly or weekly train pass or ticket like you can in such places as New York or Paris? When I stayed in Paris I was able to buy a 30day train pass or a weekly tickt that I could renew. Is this possible in Tokyo Japan? Would I have to buy a ticket every time I took the train? On average, how much do the train tickets cost?

-I'll be staying in Japan for Haname. Where in Kyoto is the best place to see the Cherry Blossoms in your own opinion? Do you have any photos if so?

-Okay this question may seem a little silly. I am used to Japanese food. However, nothing compares to authentic Japanese food. My problem being that when my mother was living in Japan for the second time, it was hard for her to eat some of the foods. Just sitting down at the table she said she would just lose her appetite. Is there any American food stores there? Like how in the US we have some oriental food stores, do they have the same in Japan? Haha I might just have to eat rice the whole time!

-Is there any great Japanese American cook books that I can purchase before I go so I know how to prepare some of the foods? If so, which would you recommend?

-If you've travel to Japan for an extended amount of time, on average how much did you spend in a week? I'd like to do some shopping, and I'll have some money for that. But things like cost of living and food, how much do you think you spent? ( I understand if you don't feel comfortable sharing this information )

These are only a few of my many questions, but thank you so much to anyone who was willing to sit down and answer even just one of my questions. : )

Thank you all so much again,

Erin

- What is your budget for your accommodation? Within Tokyo (or a bit out into the suburbs) it's easy to get around by trains/subways, so I would not really worry about what "ward." If you are attending any school or going regularly to a particular location in Tokyo, that would be the starting point for your search.

- Your being underage would be a problem for signing a rent agreement - it would have to be officially that friend (of age, I assume) who signs the contract, with you as the occupant.

- Since you are only staying for a month and a bit, you would not want a full "rent agreement" - that normally runs for two years; so you will be looking at "guest houses" or "monthly apartment" type of place anyway. Then they tend to come with a lot of amenities, but that depends on the place.
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2032.html

- When it comes to food, there are McDonalds, Burger King, Denny's etc., etc., in Japan.

- For travel budgeting information, please have a look at:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2410.html

Hello
I stayed last autumn for 3 months in Sakura house in okubo and was very satisfied with it.
I had a room with kitchen (including the usual utensils) and high speed internet access. The toilet and the shower were shared though. The place was clean (during the stay you have to clean it your self) and also a laundrary was available. I especially liked the location, as I could walk to the school in Takadanobaba and also to Shinjuku. The region is very lively and probably counts to the more ''dangerous'' places for Tokyo standards, but I still felt much safer than anywhere in NYC.
Hope you will enjoy your time in Japan.
cheers