Japan will be worth the penny pinching! Trust me! I had one of those opps, too, once upon a time, and spent an entire summer in Japan. It was amazing, and not an experience I would trade!
I am a lover of all critters, and when my kids are grown up and moved out (and therefore my pocketbook will hopefully contain more money) I will be getting every critter I’ve ever dreamed of owning! Including a nubian goat, cuz those are adorable and I luff them. Oh, and a few goldens. Haha! Right now I just have a couple of cats! I envy you your menagerie! 😉