Working in Japan with no degree

Hey everyone,
I’m a 20-year-old American who just got back to the U.S. after spending 6 months at a language school in Tokyo. I completely fell in love with Japan and I’m now trying to figure out a realistic path to live and work there long-term.

My biggest concern is the job situation. I always see people saying you need at least a bachelor’s degree to get a work visa. I haven’t gone to college yet, which puts me in a tough spot since I don’t want to wait until I’m 25 just to start looking for jobs.

I’ve done quite a bit of research (both here and elsewhere), and I’ve seen that some people have managed to get work visas without a degree or 10 years of experience — though it’s not as likely. I’m open to going to college, especially in Japan, but I’m unsure if it’s financially sustainable to live alone as a student there.

I might have a potential sponsorship from a dojo, which could mean getting a Cultural Activities Visa, but as far as I know, that wouldn’t allow me to work legally. I’ll be heading back to Japan in February for about 3 months, so I’m planning to use that time to network, talk to places in person, and see what options actually exist.

So, I’d really appreciate hearing from people who’ve been in a similar situation — anyone who’s lived or worked in Japan without a degree, or who found creative ways to make it happen. I know this topic usually gets a lot of “no, can’t be done” replies, but I’d rather hear constructive advice instead.

Thanks in advance to anyone willing to share their insight!