Have you ever thought about doing Homestay in Japan? Want to stay with a Japanese person? So you need to read this article and understand a few things before starting this adventure. We all know that Japan has a rich and unique culture, so it's conceivable that the Japanese are totally different from Brazilians in their way of thinking and acting.
The Japanese are some of the kindest individuals in the world, they will be delighted to host you. Japan is also one of the safest countries in the world, making it the perfect opportunity to live with the locals. In this article, we will see some tips and curiosities for those who are going to stay with a Japanese person.
You don't know the definition of Homestay? This is one of the best ways to interact with Japanese people and learn about Japan, its way of life and culture. Homestay literally means homestay, where native Japanese host foreigners in their home, offering fun, food and social interaction. Homestay can be paid, voluntary or at the homes of friends and acquaintances.
It doesn't matter if the person doesn't know Japanese fluently. These families are patient and trained, and their goal is to teach you how to communicate. Sometimes it is much cheaper and more advantageous to stay with a Japanese family. That's because it can include breakfast, dinner, cultural immersion, learning Japanese, meeting and making friends, in addition to the comfort of being at home. And it's super cheap! You can find HomeStay for up to 80 reais a day.
Table of Content
Preparing for Homestay in Japan
The first thing you should do is choose the location and family that will host you. Whether through websites, friends, phone, etc. Try as much local information as possible, such as: nearby train stations, sights, and even the weather. Try to meet the family that will host you.
Also remember to check what the house offers in terms of food. Sometimes you might not like things like natto, fish and some vegetables. Or maybe you are allergic to something. Homestay websites show a complete description of the family, breakfast and dinner. Be sure!
The first thing you need to keep in mind when going to a Japanese family home is to bring a gift. We have already written an article talking about these gifts (omiyage), you can bring something from your country, souvenirs, sweets, or things like that. Just keep in mind that bringing a gift when visiting someone in Japan is something necessary and is part of the culture of the country.
In the Japanese family home
Remember that in Japan you take your shoes off to enter houses. You can bring your own flip-flops, just don't forget to take them off when entering a tatami room and in the bathroom it's customary to wear other shoes to enter. Don't worry, the places to remove your shoes will be clearly visible, and family members will be there to help you.
Regardless of whether you are paying for HomeStay, Japanese families will be happy to take you on a tour of their culture and city. They can take you to a local restaurant, in a park and even for walks outside the city. Just make sure you are prepared to participate in all the activities offered by the family and eat what they offer!
When taking a bath, make sure you can use the bathtub, but remember to wash yourself before immersing in the bathtub, since the whole family will use the same water. At dinner time, remember to say itadakimasu and eat properly with hashi (chopsticks) respecting their rules. Of course, there are many other rules regarding dining at home or in restaurants. We recommend doing a good amount of research on our site to be fully prepared for this experience.
Japanese people usually do not have guest rooms; they will likely offer the living room, which is usually in tatami. You will sleep on the floor, on a mattress called futon, it may seem strange but it's an amazing experience, make sure to fold it at dawn. One thing you may notice when saying goodbye to the Japanese family is that some people keep waving until you disappear from sight. I witnessed this every day (xD) it was so loving.
My HomeStay Experience
During my trip to Japan in 2016 I stayed for free at 5 friends' houses. The difference between staying at the house of someone who charges for HomeStay is that they will probably be available for most of their time to give you their attention. The families that hosted me worked, but I had good experiences in all of them.
The first family that hosted me was Brazilian, the house was huge breaking the paradigm of small houses in 日本. It had 2 floors and I slept in a double bed. In that house I stayed only one day, the family took me to lunch at KFC, shopping at Costco, and dinner at a Chinese restaurant. There was another day that I stayed in Hamamatsu at the house of a Brazilian who took me to several places, yakiniku, and even onsen.
Another 2 families stayed with me for almost a week in Osaka city. They took me for a walk around the city, and they provided wonderful experiences. During my trip to Japan, staying with a Japanese family was what enriched and made my trip more fun. It is much better to be accompanied than to walk around alone.
Though it may seem daunting cultural differences and spending time with an unfamiliar family. Homestay in Japan is one of the most meaningful experiences you can have in the country. Have you ever had this opportunity? Leave your experience in the comments! We appreciate the comments and shares.