Is it possible for you to take any classes? I just finished Japanese 101 at my university, and the way we started learning was by listening so our sensei, and having things written in romanji (using the alphabet) as well as practicing how to write in hiragana. I think japanese would be really hard to teach yourself, so at least taking a 101 class will really help. If you want to try on your on, I suggest learning how to write hiragana first, because that will help you read it.