this will be the first time any of us have been out of the USA (not counting a day trip to mexico) and with it costing us roughly 1500 each to get there we would hope not to spend more then 10 USD a night.
That's totally unreasonable for any sort of lodging here. Where would you spend that much in the U.S. for a night's stay, even in Idaho?
we have plans to leave early January 2014.
Tokyo will be miserably cold, damp, and snowy (to a degree) there at that time. Since you are all essentially broke, I won't even mention skiing/snowboarding as the only really fun option at that time of year.
we all have our different interests one friend is a cook and would love some hands on experience in cultural food.
Like what? Does he cook at Denny's or some high class place? What is he looking to do?
one is a Japanese pop culture and anime lover (well we all are to an extent)
Seven-Eleven and any supermarket will have loads of comics for you. Anime shops abound. Of course, you are going to be totally lost if you don't read Japanese...
i personally am a somewhat history buff.
So? What do you want to see and do? Have you guys even invested in one guidebook or looked at the JNTO page to give you hints on what might fit your needs/interests?
we would like to stay as long as we would be permitted with a tourist visa
You don't get a tourist "visa". As Americans, you bring your passports and get what is called a tourist visa waiver. Stay for 90 days if you can afford it. I still don't know how much money you have set aside for this venture. At $10 a day and 1-3 months as a concept, that means you might have (doing the math here):
$10 x 30 = $300
$10 x 90 = $3,000
If it's $300, plan on staying about 2-3 days tops.
If it's $3,000, you might make it 2 weeks or so. (I spent almost twice that on a 3-week trip to 21 cities, and stayed in business hotels at an average of 5,000 yen/night.) It depends on whether you leave Tokyo and how you spend/blow your money. Transportation and lodging are the big costs, if you don't already know it. Stay within the Tokyo city limits and your transportation stays bound to local (train/subway, mostly) transport, but it also depends on how far out you want to venture. I'd go crazy in Tokyo more than a week.
Hostels can run 2,000-3,000 per night.
Youth Hostels in Japan
Tokyo Hostel: Book Tokyo Hostels with HostelBookers.com
Capsule hotels are about 3,500-4,000 per night.
The 10 Best Budget Tokyo Hotels of 2021
Manga hotels might be an option, but I don't know from personal experience, and I wouldn't want to. Here's one for 780 yen for 3 hours:
Manga Kissa is the cheapest hotel in Japan! | Tokyo Kawaii, etc. Note the small size, not something for 4 guys!
More on manga cafes (manga kissa):
Japan's Amazing Manga Caf?s
as to take in the most experience as possible.
We all want that.
we are all between the ages of 20-26 so we would like to see a side of japan that would fit that age range. (having a drink, meeting locals, ect.) any advice?
What do you want to do with reference to "meeting locals"? Guys your age often come here just to get laid. I hope that's not a major part of your agenda. Meeting people might be a bit difficult, depending on circumstances, since most Japanese are pretty shy when it comes to speaking in English. They are typically not very good at it, too. Three strapping young guys from Idaho sidling up to some Japanese people their age will undoubtedly be intimidating to a degree, so be aware of that. Look lost and confused and ask for guidance on something, if you want to start a conversation. But by all means be sincere and polite.
As for other advice, I think you need to tell us your budgets first (lodging, food, travel). But like I wrote above, January in Tokyo is going to be bleak weather for any sightseeing.
