Talking with a tutor over Skype and audio programs (language transfer, michel thomas, pimsleur, mango languages) have been the biggest help for me. Also searching "how I learned spanish" on youtube I've found a ton of ideas I would've never thought of. Oh and watching a lot of tv & youtube videos in your target language helps a lot. Start with Japanese audio and English subtitles. As soon as you're comfortable switch the subtitles to Japanese. Eventually you won't need them at all.