Borderless Visit is a 2 or 3 hour long homestay program where family travelers like you can meet locals over a homecooked lunch or dinner. Meet family friends during your trip in Japan that will last a lifetime.
Before the Borderless Visit
Once you know your family trip itinerary, start sending requests to find a host. You can go on Borderless Visits all over Japan.
Find the perfect host family you and the kids will enjoy meeting.
Once you have complete your booking, build trust between you and your host by communicating before the Borderless Visit. This will be the perfect time to ask for tips on family travel in Japan.
Visiting Your Host
Goodbye, but not goodbye forever!
An average Borderless Visit is about 2 or 3 hours so it is a great introduction to Japanese daily life. In general your Borderless Visit is over when you finish eating unless there is anything else you planned with your host. Time will fly and eventually you will need to say your goodbyes, but the goodbye will not be forever.
Guest families are saying:
We were fortunate to meet such a lovely family. We really enjoyed the conversation, all the experencies exchanging, and of course, Kaho's singing! It was a honour to be with this beautiful Japanese family.
Marcos from Brazil
Host families are saying:
Becoming Borderless Visit hosts is our way of giving back to the many locals who were kind to us when we lived and traveled abroad. We also saw it as an opportunity for everyone in our family to expand our horizons by meeting people all across the globe.
Rie from Tokyo
This time we welcomed a family from Germany with their almost 2 year old son. We discussed cultural differences and similarities between Germany and Japan, but we were all most passionate about talking about child rearing, nursery school, how to overcome kids during their rebellious stages, and shared tips on how to get our kids to eat their veggies. Since the kids were both around the same age they were both having lots of fun from start to finish.
All hosts want to cultivate a relationship with you
Everyone chooses who they want to meet
Build trust before you arrive
Make the experience valuable
All Borderless Visit hosts are required to provide information such as their address, family profile, and reasons for wanting to host which is reviewed by the Borderless Visit team. Everyone is also required to pay a membership fee to show their commitment to our values and cause as a nonprofit.
Additionally, once the Borderless Visit booking has been completed you will be able to contact the host directly. You are also more than welcome to contact the Borderless Visit team if you have any questions or concerns about your host.
All our hosts live within 60 mins from the station you choose. We also make sure that the hosts are all accessible by train and within maximum 2 train transfers. Your host will also be meeting you at the station near their home so no need to worry about trying to find their home.
The host family will also be a great resource in letting you know the best way travel to their home with kids so be sure to contact them directly after your Borderless Visit booking is complete.
When sending a request we encourage you to include that you would like the host kids to be of similar age. Many of our past participants have told us that their kids did not need to be able to communicate through language to enjoy themselves. Many have had fun playing together so we hope you take this opportunity to relax and enjoy yourselves too.
There are many hosts who can prepare kid-friendly meals. If they have any allergies, be sure to include those details in your request as there are many hosts who will be more than happy to do their best to accommodate.
Since the default time to meet your host at the station for a Borderless Visit is set to 12PM for lunch and 6PM for dinner, one popular option is to meet at lunch. We also recommend including in your request that you would like to meet at an earlier time and leave at a specific time so you will be back at your accommodation in time to put your kids to bed. Many of our hosts will be understanding as they too may want to do the same.
Price per person is 3,500 yen. Children under 5 are free.
