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Nagomi Visit Guest Story: "giving us a card for our honeymoon and making us a welcome sign. It made us feel so special."

2024-07-15

[My host] and his wife were the kindest, most considerate hosts we could’ve ever imagined. They met us at the station with a welcome sign, and from there they showed us the best hosptality in their home and around Kobe. [My host] studied English hard to be able to communicate with us, and he did a very good job at educating us about Japan. He also gave us snacks and gifts which were so thoughtful! I can’t imagine a better representative of Japan.

[My host] talked to us about monuments around Kobe and showed us pictures. He taught us how to pay our respects at a Shinto temple, and taught us about the geography of Kobe. He showed the bay and the enormous bridge that Kobe is famous for. We talked about the differences in our culture and what made [my host] proud to be Japanese. We also talked about our stay so far and he gave us suggestions for what else to see and experience during our trip. He also helped us take many photographs, which turned out beautiful.

We learned that you should not walk on the middle of the path as you enter a shrine because that’s reserved for the gods. We also learned about train routes and about the city of Kobe. We learned that the autumn in Japan is very similar to the U.S. with the beautiful fall colors. They also introduced us to many, many new foods.

[My host's] wonderful wife prepared a huge meal for us, with an array of courses and small dishes. We remember the pickled plum, the delicious beef stew, and the cold noodle soup very fondly, but it was all delicious to try. Her fish was very good and we enjoyed eating the tofu as well. [My host] gave us a non alcoholic sparkling apple drink that was delicious.

My wife called it one of the best things we did on the trip.

[My host's] kindness, giving us a card for our honeymoon and making us a welcome sign. It made us feel so special.

Yes we do and we will continue to trade pictures!

Nagomi Visit Guest Story: "My kids had a really good time. They were glad to be able to connect with a local family."

2024-06-26

She was very warm and welcoming! We appreciated her and her family letting us join them for dinner. She was able to speak English well, and both her father and son were able and willing to communicate with us using both English and Japanese. My kids said it was a highlight of their trip. We are so glad that this service exists!

We talked about each other’s families and experiences with language and different customs and countries. Her son showed us the school projects he is doing and we talked about our hobbies as well.

Yes, we learned what it is like to be a student in the Japanese school system. We also learned how to make Takoyaki!

Takoyaki, vegetables, and cake dessert.

My kids had a really good time. They were glad to be able to connect with a local family. They laughed at jokes, ate Japanese food, and felt included.

I think it was interacting with [my host son], who was very energetic and fun to see all his projects and how he interacted affectionately with his family.

Nagomi Visit Guest Story: "We also played some Nintendo games against her youngest son so that was also fun."

2024-05-31

She's a wonderful person, happy to get to know us and to introduce her family to us.

We talked about her family, our experiences we already had in Japan, our hobbies, how we (we were visiting Japan as a group of five) got to know each other...

It was very interesting to get to see how the Japanese people live and eat in their homes.

We made sushi together! Afterwards, she made us tempura and had an assortiment of Japanese sweets.

The whole experience was wonderful but I would think that the talks after dinner, when two of her daughters joined us were the best. We also played some Nintendo games against her youngest son so that was also fun.

Nagomi Visit Guest Story: "so both cultures use it to express a moment of ending and transition into something new."

2024-04-18

[My hosts] were extremely friendly! They both studied in the U.S. and have traveled extensively, so they had lots of stories to share about their adventures worldwide. [My host] was incredibly kind. She picked us up from the station and then showed us around the park near her home before returning to cook dinner with us.

We shared stories from our lives and travels, talked about Japanese TV shows that we have watched and American shows that they have watched, and learned more about what it’s like to raise a family in Japan. [MY host] told us of his job working for the Ministry of transportation, and the projects he is working on to improve public transit for bicyclists, using ideas from places like Portland where we are from!

When we walked through the park, the song “Auld Lang Syne” began to play. [My host] explained it played when the park was closing and sometimes at graduations, which was an interesting surprise to us! We explained to [my host] that it is an American tradition to sing at New Year’s Eve, so both cultures use it to express a moment of ending and transition into something new.

[My host] made us some delicious okonomiyaki and share some sake with us as well, all very tasty and fun to watch and help her cook.

I certainly would like to! [My host] has shared with us some ideas of things to do on the rest of our trip, and we requested that if their family should ever travel to the West Coast of the U.S., to let us know so we can provide them dinner in exchange!

My mother visited Japan a few months before me, and heartily recommended the experience. I don’t know where she learned of it, but I believe from a friend. So I will certainly suggest trying it to any friends of mine who visit!

Nagomi Visit Guest Story: "Cooking and laughing together"

2024-04-14

[My host] was an amazing host, very patient and caring. She came to pick us up at the station and then welcomed us into her home. We cooked together and spend a lovely evening.

we were also able to ask her anything about Japan. We learned a lot about japanese culture and had a great time. We talked about her family, her trips around the world, different ways to address people in japan and switzerland, about sento, she gave us many cooking tips, and so much more

We made new food discoveries but also discovered a japanese house and a japanese car !

We made tamagoyaki and inari sushi with her but she also prepared salmon, tofu with surimi and many different delicious side dishes. We ended up by making our own mochi and matcha tea

They loved it and were very thankful that I organised it :)

Cooking and laughing together

We just came back but we exchanged a few messages and hope to see her in Switzerland someday

Nagomi Visit Guest Story: "The girls exchanged email addresses and we will see whether they stay in contact."

2024-04-03

[My host] and her family were exceptional hosts welcoming us with the greatest kindness and openness. We had wonderful day.

We talked about sameness and differences between our cultures and experiences and found much in common.

The precinct of Tokyo which we otherwise would not have visited with their great supermarkets and stationary shops.

Oh … everything! [My host] provided a great choice of everything imaginable.

Our whole family enjoyed the visit greatly. The girls exchanged email addresses and we will see whether they stay in contact.

Once the dinner dissolved the atmosphere become even more relaxed and the girls and boys got into talking. As did the grownups .

We surely hope to!

Nagomi Visit Guest Story: "We have so much in common as independent female travelers despite all we have different on paper"

2023-11-06

[My host] is an incredibly kind, warm and inspiring person. We have so much in common as independent female travelers despite all we have different on paper, and I will never forget how generously she welcomed me to her home. The experience absolutely made my trip.

We talked about learning English, traveling, our lives, life in Japan vs America, our favorite European countries, food and most importantly toilets!

I learned so much about Japanese cooking, and also hospitality, and I got a new appreciation for the fact that you can connect with someone around the world!

We made omelets and hand rolls, and she added many courses to the meal!

Everything - laughing!!! I know she was self conscious about her English and I sadly have no Japanese, but we shared many laughs! Also that we found so much in common and she generously saw me off to my train.

Nagomi Visit Guest Story: "a Japanese mother away from home :)"

2023-10-31

Very polite and friendly, a Japanese mother away from home :)

- food/cooking - similarities/differences between Japan and Germany - Japanese everyday life

selfmade sushi, tempura and soup

a beautiful calligraphy designed by the host

Nagomi Visit Guest Story: "My husband and daughter had been on one during a previous visit to Japan and recommended that I do it."

2023-10-16

Our hosts were amazing. They made contact early, stayed in touch throughout, and were super helpful with advice during our journey around Japan. They were easy to talk to in their home and made us feel very welcome.

Cooking and explanations about Japanese food Our occupations World travel experiences,yes, how to cook okonomiyaki and where we had traveled in Japan Religions in Japan Their daughters musical activities with her pan flute group. Farming in both our countries. Our extended families Japanese sport [my hosts] even demonstrated wrestling to us! The schooling system.

Yes, how to cook okonomiyaki The origin of the peace pan flutes That [my host's] company has invented the modern correction pen. This experience was at the end of our month in Japan so was more about consolidating our knowledge than adding to it.

Sesame tofu Pickled vegetables salad Tempura sardines Lotus root chips Okonomiyaki Fresh persimmon, and fruit jelly.

When [my host] played Amazing Grace for us on her pan flute

Our visit was only yesterday, we have messaged today, I am sure we will keep in touch.

My husband and daughter had been on one during a previous visit to Japan and recommended that I do it.

Nagomi Visit Guest Story: "one of the most memorable moments was being shown the family home’s tatami room and at-home shrine and area for ancestors."

2023-10-08

[My host] and her family were so kind and welcoming from the moment I was collected from the station. I could learn so much about Japanese culture and pick up some new Japanese words, while enjoying being welcomed into a Japanese family’s home for the evening. [My host] is curious about different cultures and is happy to answer any questions about Japan and Japanese culture.

We talked about [my host] and her family’s experience learning English. We also discussed different areas of Japan, Japanese food and eating and drinking culture. We discussed some of the differences between Japan and the UK. I was also treated to a casual tea ceremony by [my host]’s sister, which was amazing to me as I love Japanese tea!

I learned many new Japanese words, was encouraged to try new food and learned about the traditions and equipment used in a tea ceremony. It was such a special experience.

We ate such a range of different Japanese food - I really was treated to so much! We ate sashimi, Oden, karaage, yakitori, pork cutlet among other small tasty dishes. It was absolutely my favourite meal since arriving in Japan (and I was even given leftovers!)

Everything was incredible, but one of the most memorable moments was being shown the family home’s tatami room and at-home shrine and area for ancestors. It’s a rare experience as a non-Japanese person to this personal family home.

Yes, I hope I will keep in touch and be able to visit again, especially when I have other visitors from the UK..