Borderless Visit allows you to get off the tourist trail and eat a home-cooked meal with locals all over Japan.
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 foodie and family volunteers
All our hosts are unique as you can see in our videos. You can find out by reading their profile details before choosing your Borderless Visit host. Find hosts who have similar age babies, kids, or teenagers. See profiles of hosts who are couples, group of friends, or solo hosts with similar interests or have visited your country. Receive a hosting offer from a vegetarian host or someone who love dogs or cats. Be sure to communicate with our hosts directly using the messaging function on our website to get a sense of who they are.
Both you and the host actively choose
You and the host choose who you want to meet. After you send your request, all hosts registered in the area read the profile information you send. They respond if they can host on the requested dates and times you included but more importantly, purely because they decided they want to meet you based on the details you wrote in your request.
Less than 1 hour by train from your preferred location, all over Japan.
From high rises in the city center to farmhouses surrounded by rice fields, our hosts are located all over 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. Hosts who live less than an hour by public transportation from your selected location will respond to your request. Distance from major train stations can be confirmed before booking and specific locations on where to meet the host will be revealed after payment.
Less than 1 hour to home + minimum 2-3 hours at home
All select stations are within an hour by train to the host’s home and at least 2-3 hours is spent at home. Choose dates where you can be flexible with time as a Borderless Visit is very different from going on a fixed schedule tour or going out for a quick bite. There are many hosts who live in the city center or a few minutes walk from famous tourist attractions. However, for those wanting to take advantage of visiting our hosts who live in more rural areas, travel up to an hour and surround yourself with beautiful rice fields or mountains. Either way, it is always better to have enough time for good conversation and any unexpected pre- or post- Borderless Visit plans with your host. Some are more than happy to take you to see or experience local hidden attractions, even if it is just a quick stop to a local supermarket.
All hosts are prepared to speak English.
Many hosts have acquired much of their language skill from travel, study, or work. However, always keep in mind that despite how excited the host is to communicate with you, many do not normally speak English on a daily basis so your patience would be greatly appreciated. Each participant may speak at different levels, and some may speak other languages. Many of these details can be confirmed on the host’s profile before booking.
Casual everyday lunch or dinner menu
You are joining the host on an ordinary day so the atmosphere will be casual. The hosts join Borderless Visit because they are eager to cook and share their knowledge of Japanese food and culture with you, but also remember they are not on vacation so they will do their best to make what they can. However, once you choose your host, you will be able to communicate with them directly allowing you to familiarize yourself with the meal’s details before the Borderless Visit. You will also be able to write in any dietary restriction details in your request so potential hosts are informed ahead of time.
Just ask and it will feel like cooking with a friend
Be sure to include in your request that you would like to cook with your host. When you are picking hosts you can choose someone who has "Cook together" as a characteristic on their profile. You can also ask your host directly if you can cook with them once you have their contact information after booking. Have a particular dish you are interested in or you just want to try something out? Don't be shy and ask. Just keep in mind that although the host will be more than happy to share their knowledge, the experience will be more like cooking with a friend rather than a cooking lesson from start to finish. However, we hope that this organic experience is what makes Borderless Visit special so hope you enjoy cooking and eating!Total price per adult: 6,000 yen
At least 72 hours in advance — but earlier is better.
Send the request at least 72 hours before your requested date. Many of our hosts work on weekdays but we have hosts who are available during the week too so the more available dates you provide the better response. At the time of booking, you will be able to select the one or more host and date you will like to Borderless Visit.
Start by filling out our host request form. This form is the most important step so take your time. Where do you want to Borderless Visit? When? Who’s coming? Describing in detail who you are to our hosts. Any hobbies? The more personalized details, the better the response. The latest you can send a request is 72 hours before your requested date and time.
You will receive email notifications if they are interested in meeting you and available on the dates you suggested. First, read the host profile and see who they are, what they do, where they live. Then get to know your hosts better by responding to their messages.
If you are interested in meeting the host, make sure to book and complete payment within 72 hours. Each offer expires exactly after 72 hours with no extensions. Can’t accept an offer? Not a problem. Decline the offer by sending them a quick message showing your appreciation.
Communication is key to an enjoyable Borderless Visit so continue to chat with the hosts until the day of your Borderless Visit.
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.
You are visiting a friend you haven't met. Just keep in mind that all the hosts are participating in Borderless Visit because they all genuinely want to meet great people like you. Good conversation and an open mind will go a long way but these tips may help during your Borderless Visit.
Respect your host's time and home.
Each and every participant should be made aware of what a Borderless Visit involves. The hosts are welcoming you to their home because they trust that you will respect their time and home. Keep in mind that these are all volunteers so if issues do come up such as property damage, most of the time they will need to pay out of their own pocket. So show up on time, be respectful of your surroundings, but all in all be kind.
The program and host take great precaution when it comes to food safety but be aware that the host nor the program will take any responsibility for instances of food poisoning or any other illness.
We encourage all our participants to come to the Borderless Visit ready to try all the food. However, we do understand this may be difficult at times so here is a rundown on how we handle dietary restrictions.
Questions? Contact the Borderless Visit team at info@borderless-visit.com.