Have you thought about doing a Homestay in Japan? Do you want to stay at a Japanese person’s house? Then 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 is to be expected that the Japanese are completely different from Brazilians in their way of thinking and acting.
The Japanese are some of the kindest individuals in the world, and they will be pleased 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 look at some tips and curiosities for those who will be staying at a Japanese person’s house.
Don’t know the definition of Homestay? This is one of the best ways to interact with the Japanese and learn about Japan, its lifestyle, and culture. Homestay literally means family house, where native Japanese host foreigners in their home, offering fun, food, and social interaction. Homestay can be either paid, voluntary, or at the homes of friends and acquaintances.
It doesn’t matter if the person doesn’t speak Japanese fluently. These families are patient and trained, and their goal is to teach you how to communicate. Sometimes it can be much cheaper and more advantageous to stay at a Japanese family home. This is because it may include breakfast, dinner, cultural immersion, learning Japanese, meeting and making friends, in addition to the comfort of being in a home. And it’s super cheap! You can find Homestays for as little as 80 reais per day.
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Preparing for the 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 to gather as much information as possible about the area, such as: nearby train stations, tourist attractions, and even the weather. Try to get to know the family that will host you.
Also, remember to check what food the house offers. Sometimes you might not like things like natto, fish, and some vegetables. Or maybe you have allergies to something. Homestay websites provide a complete description of the family, breakfast, and dinner. Make 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 part of the country’s culture.
At the Japanese family home
Remember that in Japan, shoes are taken off before entering homes. You can bring your own slippers, just don’t forget to take them off when entering a tatami room, and in the bathroom, another type of footwear is usually worn. Don’t worry, the places to take off your shoes will be clearly visible, and the family members will be there to help you.
It doesn’t matter if you are paying for the Homestay; Japanese families will be happy to take you to experience their culture and city. They may take you to a local restaurant, 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 provide!
When taking a bath, make sure you can use the bathtub, but remember to wash yourself before immersing in the tub, as 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 eating at home or in restaurants. We recommend doing some good 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 tatami. You will sleep on the floor, on a mattress called futon, it may seem strange but it is an incredible experience, make sure to fold it up at dawn. One thing you may notice when saying goodbye to the Japanese family is that some people keep waving until you are out of sight. I witnessed this every day (xD) it was so loving.
My experience in a Homestay
During my trip to Japan in 2016, I stayed for free in 5 friends’ houses. The difference between staying at someone’s house who charges for Homestay is that they will likely be available most of the time to give you attention. The families that hosted me were working, but I had good experiences with all of them.
The first family that hosted me was Brazilian; the house was huge, breaking the paradigm of small houses in Japan. It had 2 floors, and I slept in a double bed. I stayed in this house for only one day; the family took me to lunch at KFC, shopping at Costco, and dinner at a Chinese restaurant. There was another day when I stayed in Hamamatsu at the house of a Brazilian who took me to various places, yakiniku, and even onsen.
Two other families hosted me for almost a week in the city of Osaka. They took me around the city and provided wonderful experiences. During my trip to Japan, staying at a Japanese family home was what enriched and made my trip more fun. It is much better to be accompanied than to walk around alone.
Although the cultural differences and spending time with an unknown family may seem daunting, Homestay in Japan is one of the most significant 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.
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