Can i practice the shinto religion?

i am 14 and i want to convert to the religion of Shintoism. People say that you need to be a Japanese descent and i guess i am. My dad was born and raised in japan and is also Shinto however my mom was born and raised in Italy so i am only 50 percent Japanese. I am willing to study and research the religion. How many times will i have to pray? i dint live in japan so every day or even once a month is out of the question ha ha...I do go to japan though once every 2 or 3 years. I might even go to study abroad there in a few years. Is this religion something you born into or can i practice it? I'm not going to tell me dad now cause hes one of those people who ugh...I'm not sure how to explain it but he would probably laugh. He knows I'm extrmeley intrested in the culture and the country and probably thinks im doing this cause its cool or something. and i am NOT wapanese or weaaboo or whatever you call it! i actually am half japanese and i actually study the history and culture and i am currently studying by my self the language and writing system. ( for when i go to study abroad and because i love japan) i dont even watch anime that much haha. i kinda got off topic but you get the idea. can i convert?
thanks for the awnsers
how many times do i have to pray and how?

I don't think there's any initiation rites. You just go to local festivals, like Honour Your Grandparents Day and such.

Shintos great and I LOVE Japanese culture. But you may want to practice it with Buddhism like most Japanese for a more fulfilling experience. Good Luck.

Go ahead
I'm half Japanese too
Its not like a big thing where you do a ritual or anything. you can just become one

THe positive things that you can find in Shinto you can find in Catholicism,folk Italian-style

Depends on what "Shinto" is.

Good Luck and God Bless!