I've been told I would appear SO RUDE if I stuck to my eating habits in Japan, but life is too short to eat shitty food if you're not literally starving to death.

Plus, I bet they're really used to it by now. I'm sure there are tons of Americans who come over to teach and haaaaaate the food. You can always apologize if someone appears to take notice, but you're making an effort and that's the important part.