Borderless Visit allows you to get off the tourist trail and eat a home-cooked meal with locals all over Japan.
A genuine home-cooked meal experience with a local Japanese family.
Borderless Visit (formerly Nagomi Visit) is a volunteer-based program that connects travelers with local Japanese families for a real home-cooked meal — not a restaurant, not a tour, not a homestay. Founded in 2011, over 11,000 guests from 60+ countries have sat down at a Japanese family's dinner table through this program. With 200+ host families across Japan from Hokkaido to Okinawa, there is likely a host near wherever your travels take you.
Not exactly — but if you love the idea of a homestay, you will feel right at home.
Borderless Visit is not a homestay or accommodation service. There is no overnight stay. But if what you love about the idea of a homestay is the chance to experience real daily life in a Japanese home — the food, the warmth, the genuine conversation — then Borderless Visit delivers exactly that. Many guests say it captures everything they hoped to find in a homestay. - Meet your host at a local station and walk to their home together - Share a genuine home-cooked Japanese meal for 2 to 3 hours - Talk, laugh, and connect the way you would with family — not a tour group
Everyone — families, couples, solo travelers, and first-time visitors to Japan.
All ages and travel styles are welcome. Whether you are traveling with a baby, teenagers, your partner, or going solo, Borderless Visit is designed for anyone with an open mind and curiosity about Japan. Have specific concerns? Feel free to contact the Borderless Visit team!
※Guests under 21 must be accompanied by a supervising adult over 21, or have written permission from a legal guardian.
Local Japanese volunteers who love cooking and meeting people from around the world.
Hosts are real local people — couples, families with children, solo hosts, groups of friends — who join because they genuinely enjoy sharing their home and culture. You can see in our videos.
▸ Read each host's profile before booking to find the right match. Look for vegetarian hosts, pet-friendly hosts, or families with children the same age as yours.
Both you and the host actively choose each other.
All over Japan, within 1 hour by public transportation from the station you select.
Hosts are spread across Japan from Hokkaido to Okinawa, including Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Nagano, Matsumoto, Nagoya, Himeji, Tottori, Hiroshima, and more. Check our map or host request form for the most current locations.
From apartments in central cities to rice fields, mountains, farmhouses in countryside — all within 1 hour by public transportation from the station you select.
※The exact meeting point will be confirmed after booking.
Minimum 2 to 3 hours at the host’s home, plus up to 1 hour of travel.
Plan to keep your schedule flexible for a half-day experience. A typical Borderless Visit lasts about 2 to 3 hours at the host's home for a shared meal and conversation, plus travel time.
Borderless Visit is very different from a fixed tour. Some hosts live just minutes from famous tourist spots, while others are surrounded by beautiful rice fields or mountains (up to an hour away). Either way, the journey is part of the experience.
Many hosts are happy to show you a local hidden gem before or after the visit, even if it is just a quick stop at a neighborhood supermarket. Good conversation often runs longer than planned, so we encourage you not to rush and to fully enjoy these genuine local moments.
All hosts are ready to welcome you in English, though proficiency varies.
Many hosts learned English through travel or study but don’t use it daily, so your patience and openness are greatly appreciated. It is also common that language levels vary by family member. While one may lead the talk, others might connect via smiles, gestures, or simple phrases.
Some hosts also speak French, German, Spanish, or other languages, and you can check these details on their profile before booking.
Casual, everyday home-cooked Japanese food — real family food, not restaurant food.
You are joining the host on an ordinary day. Please remember they are not on vacation, so the atmosphere is casual and they will simply do their best to share what they can from their daily kitchen. Hosts are eager to share their knowledge of Japanese food culture and explain the dishes they've prepared for you.
※Once you choose a host, you can message them directly to discuss meal details or any dietary restrictions noted in your request.
Yes — just ask. Most hosts love the idea.
Many hosts love sharing their kitchen secrets, but please remember: this is an informal, shared experience between equals, not a professional cooking lesson. Whether you can cook together depends on the host's lifestyle and space; it is a kind gesture rooted in mutual interest.Credit card only — no cash.
Fixed price: 6,000 yen per adult.
At least 72 hours in advance — but earlier is better.
The earlier you book, the more host options you will have.
Fill out the request form with your travel dates, preferred cities, group size, and a personal introduction. The more you share about yourself, the better your responses will be.
Hosts who are available and interested will send you an offer with their profile. ※Read who they are and where they live, then get to know them better by responding to their messages. This personal exchange is the first step in building a genuine connection.
Review the offer and complete payment within 72 hours. Offers expire after exactly 72 hours with no extensions.
Stay in touch with your host before the visit to confirm details and get to know each other.
We build friendships not business transactions.
Since 2011, over 11,000 guests have shared 5,000+ meals at local tables. What we value has stayed the same:
Come ready to share not to be served.
Your host has cooked a meal and opened their home because they genuinely want to meet you. Be on time, keep an open mind, and communicate before the visit. A small gift from your home country makes a great conversation starter. Overall, kindness and curiosity are all you really need.
Respect your host’s time, home, and trust.
Show up on time, be mindful of your surroundings, and treat the space with care. All hosts are volunteers — they bear personal responsibility for any issues that arise. If you cannot attend, let your host know as early as possible. Above all, be kind.
We hope you come ready to enjoy authentic Japanese home cooking with curiosity! While we celebrate the adventure of eating, we take your safety seriously. Please keep the following in mind:
※Food Safety Notice: The program and hosts take great precaution, but please note that neither the host nor Borderless Visit can take responsibility for illness or food-related issues.
Questions? Contact the Borderless Visit team at info@borderless-visit.com.