🎉 Nagomi Visit has a new name: Borderless Visit.
Our mission remains the same, connecting people through home-cooked meals and genuine encounters.
Learn more
Blog
2019-03-15
We asked Hauke and Alexandra who visited Japan for the first time from Germany and visited one of our hosts in Tokyo, a family of three with one daughter.
Each Nagomi Visit is unique and this is Hauke and Alexandra’s Nagomi experience.
- When you decided to book a Nagomi Visit how did your partner react? Were they excited as much as you? Worried?
We decided together to book a Nagomi Visit (we saw it on a German TV show about traveling in Japan) and we were both very excited. We liked the idea immediately and were convinced from the concept.
- How long did it take for you and your partner to warm up to the host and their home?
Seconds. :-) We had a really warm welcome at the train station and a nice ride to their home. When we arrived and during the great dinner, the conversation went on very easily because we had a lot of things in common, for example similar interests in culture, movies and sports.
- Did you learn anything seeing and experiencing life from inside a Japanese home?
Yes, we admired their smart solutions for storage and the estatic interior design. And to drink sometimes a sake before having a good meal. We also talked about the actual political situation in Japan and in Germany, and we learned a lot.
- Did having someone with you help foster conversation or help you notice things you may have not if you went by yourself?
It was just me and my wife, and we got a long very well. One family-member of our host lived in Germany for some time in his youth, that made it very easy to get connected.
- Was participating in a Nagomi Visit different from other travel activities with your partner. Was it more relaxing since you are in a home with someone? Or did it make you nervous?
It was very relaxing in their home and we got a very good impression of the Japanese home-culture. It was a unique experience, to meet people in their home and not just doing touristic activities like sightseeing. It's important to us, trying to meet locals while we are traveling, to get an impression of their life and culture.
- Was there anything you thought differently about Japan after going on the Nagomi Visit?
We tried to do our traveling unprejudiced. After the Nagomi Visit we feel confirmed, that it is important to meet people. We noticed, that we've got a lot in common, despite the cultural differences. One thing, what was surprising for us was, that more Japanese people are having problems to digest alcohol than we expected. ;-)
- Do you have any advice for future Nagomi Visitors?
Yes, try to find a date at weekends. It seems to be easier because we tried to find Nagomi Visits in Kanazawa and Kyoto during the week, but there were no offers. In Tokyo we had one offer during the week but more for the weekend.
Ready to go on a Nagomi Visit? Start booking here. Need tips or advice? Read 10 Ways to Enjoy a Nagomi Visit or ask the Nagomi Visit Team!
2019-03-14
We asked Cheryll and Felix who visited Japan for the first time for their honeymoon and visited one of our hosts, a couple in Nara.
Each Nagomi Visit is unique and this is Cheryll and Felix’s Nagomi experience.
- When you decided to book a Nagomi Visit how did your partner react? Were they excited as much as you? Worried?
I read about Nagomi Visit in an Instagram-Post and was immediately hooked, but when I told Felix about it, he was a bit sceptical. We are both not too outgoing, so visiting people you've never met, and whose language you don't speak, "just like that" probably felt a bit weird. But I was pretty excited about that idea, so he agreed - and in the end we are more than happy about our day with Naru and Kaori.
- How long did it take for you and your partner to warm up to the host and their home?
Not long at all! Naru and Kaori met us as the train-station, well prepared with a map and additional info-material (they're quite experienced Nagomi Hosts). They are a lovely couple and I wrote some emails with Naru beforehand, so I felt no need to be nervous. We went for a stroll right away, and learned so much about Nara and Japan in general. Naru even brought his camera and shot some photos (I'll attach some).
- Did you learn anything seeing and experiencing life from inside a Japanese home?
We learned most by talking to Naru and Kaori, who patiently answered thousand of questions, but of course, we saw some interesting differences to German/European apartments. Food-wise, we were pretty lucky - Kaori is well versed about japanese tea-ceremonies and we got an impressive demonstration in their tea-room. Also, we had an amazingly rich dinner* and saw how she made Okonomiyaki, I guess that counts as learning :)
*I'm a bit sad that we forgot to take a picture BEFORE we finished eating -.-'
- Did having someone with you help foster conversation or help you notice things you may have not if you went by yourself?
Definitely! Before dinner, we went to the Park in Nara, visited shrines and temples and Naru and Kaori explained so much to us. We would've never learn so much about Nara and Japanese Culture if we went by ourselves - and probably would've missed out some beautiful places Naru showed us as well.
- Was participating in a Nagomi Visit different from other travel activities with your partner? Was it more relaxing since you are in a home with someone? Or did it make you nervous?
The only other activity we booked was a day at the Sumo-Tournament in Tokyo, so it is hard to compare to our experience with Nagomi Visit. But being at Naru and Kaori's place didn't make us nervous at all, we got to know them a little on our little tour through Nara and after that (it was a pretty hot day), we were pretty happy to arrive at their apartment for tea, dinner and a little break.
- Was there anything you thought differently about Japan after going on the Nagomi Visit?
Maybe not so much differently, but there are some things we thought more about, after spending the day with our hosts - for example the japanese working morale, the day to day life and so on.
- Do you have any advice for future Nagomi Visitors?
Just go for it and don't be afraid! Of course, there's no guarantee that every host is as great as ours were ;) - but spending time with locals is an amazing, enriching experience that you shouldn't miss.
Ready to go on a Nagomi Visit? Start booking here. Need tips or advice? Read 10 Ways to Enjoy a Nagomi Visit or ask the Nagomi Visit Team!
2019-03-13
We asked Valentina and Sirio who visited Japan for the first time from Italy and met two of our hosts, one in Tokyo and another in Osaka.
Each Nagomi Visit is unique and this is Valentina and Sirio’s Nagomi experience.
- When you decided to book a Nagomi Visit how did your partner react? Were they excited as much as you? Worried?
My partner Sirio was enthusiastic and happy to share these experience because we are curious and interested to know different people and cultures during our trips. We was very excited, probably a little worried at first, but then not.
- How long did it take for you and your partner to warm up to the host and their home?
No much time in both visit. During the first in Tokyo, the family was numerous and funny, it was very simple to start conversation. Also, in Osaka, the Miss who hosted us was very interesting person and we have talk about everything
- Did you learn anything seeing and experiencing life from inside a Japanese home?
Yes, it was a very important experience to know new things about Japanese culture, daily life, food, religion, society and life organization
- Did having someone with you help foster conversation or help you notice things you may have not if you went by yourself?
To be in two people, probably, is better because there is more variety in the conversation and is possible talk with different members of the family at the same time
- Was participating in a Nagomi Visit different from other travel activities with your partner. Was it more relaxing since you are in a home with someone? Or did it make you nervous?
Absolutely happy and at ease
- Was there anything you thought differently about Japan after going on the Nagomi Visit?
Yes, the Japan is a country that you can imagine but is not never like reality. We improved our skills about language, culture, food, lifestyle and society
- Why did you decide to go on more than one Nagomi Visit and what did you gain from meeting more than one Nagomi host?
When I decided to participate to Nagomi Visit I could try to go to one host in every stop of our journey and where it was possible we took advantage of it because I think is one of most important opportunity to know and meet people of different country like Japan
- Do you have any advice for future Nagomi Visitors?
Yes, it is important choose as many as possible opportunities like this to share your travel experience in Japan with other people
Ready to go on a Nagomi Visit? Start booking here. Need tips or advice? Read What did you learn from visiting more than one host? or ask the Nagomi Visit Team!
2018-03-21
Time Out Tokyo was kind enough to feature Nagomi Visit. What was most exciting about the article was that it explained our name Nagomi Visit.
It had been awhile since an article covered the meaning behind our name. The article provided an opportunity to reflect on our name which holds a lot of meaning about our mission as an organization.
"The name shows this too: 'Nagomi' is an alternative reading of the kanji 和, which refers to all things Japanese, yet can also mean 'bring together'. Make a verb (nagomu or nagomi) out of it, and it refers to the feelings you have when spending time with good friends – precisely the feeling which Nagomi Visit hopes to evoke."
We also appreciate them taking the time to highlight the fact that we are a nonprofit and our reasons for choosing to be one.
Arigato, Time Out Tokyo.
2018-03-01
Since Nagomi Visit received The Japan Foundation Prizes for Global Citizenship from the Japan Foundation, we find ourselves in unexpected situations.
Such as on Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan website.
The two of us, Nagomi Visit's founder and myself the COO of the organization are standing in the middle of the group photo. To the left is a member of the House of Representatives who spoke at the ceremony. He is part of the Committee of Financial Affairs and all of us at Nagomi Visit including a few hosts had the great honor but a bit surreal experience being able to speak with him.
The whole experience of being in an awards ceremony was already very new but who knew we would find ourselves on the Japanese government's website as part of their foreign relations news.
It sure is a new day for Nagomi Visit.
Arigato again to all our hosts who came to the ceremony to celebrate with us. We also would like to take this opportunity to of course thank everyone who participated as guests. We are just stating an obvious fact but if it weren't for all of you participating we wouldn't be here so, arigato.
2018-01-30
Arigato to Japan's most well known English magazine Metropolis for covering Nagomi Visit.
Looking forward to foreign residents in Japan joining a Nagomi Visit "to experience a part of Japan away from tourist hotbeds and outside the expat bubble."
As mentioned in the article, to participate in a Nagomi Visit "No Japanese is required—all hosts have some level of English speaking ability—the goal is simply to learn about everyday Japan over a home-cooked meal."
However, if you are currently studying your "Kanji flashcards and Genki textbooks" we welcome you to test out your Japanese!
2018-01-24
Founder Megumi Kusunoki and two of our amazing Nagomi Visit hosts spoke at a press conference where they announced Nagomi Visit will be receiving The Japan Foundation Prizes for Global Citizenship for 2017.
Yesterday marked 5 amazing years since we registered as a nonprofit organization on January 23rd, 2013. We are still a small three person team running the whole organization but with many more hosts and guests thanks to all of you.
So what is this award?
The Japan Foundation is a cultural institution that aims to promote cultural exchange, originally founded by the Government of Japan.
"The Japan Foundation Prizes for Global Citizenship is intended to support organizations based in Japan that endeavor to strengthen networks among citizens both inside and outside Japan, and share the knowledge, idea and expertise through Intercultural Exchange."
The awards ceremony will be at the end of February 2018 so we look forward to sharing our experiences soon. In the meantime we would like to say arigato to all of you who led us through this incredible journey.
2018-01-06
Exciting to see Nagomi Visit featured on travel documentary Reisen in ferne Welten on the Japans Mega-Metropole episode. Arigato to German public broadcasting network ARD for taking interest in our program. Since the airing, we are seeing guests who saw the documentary join our program.
Here is an excerpt from a related article "Sie machen mit bei Nagomi Visit. Dieser gemeinnützige Verein vermittelt Familien, die Touristen nach Hause einladen möchten. Touristen wählen auf der Internetseite von Nagomi Visit (https://www.nagomivisit.com) im Vorfeld eine Familie aus und überweisen circa 26 Euro pro Person fürs Essen. "
2017-11-27
We have been surprised by the growing number of documentaries around the world wanting to cover our program.
Among those has been a French show Voyage et bonnes manières, which focuses on travel and manners. You will find us on the Au Japon episode.
When first asked to be included in this show, we were worried about the theme of the show being about manners.
We always make it a point that all Nagomi Visit participants should not worry too much about making mistakes when it comes to Japanese table manners. We have actually written about general etiquette tips here.
So when deciding to help with the documentary, instead of focusing on various rules of etiquette, we decided instead to share what it is like when eating at home in Japan.
On the show, we had one of our Tokyo hosts help out so lots of arigatos to their whole family.
2017-10-16
One of Japan's most popular television shows "Why did you come to Japan" contacted us to be one of their episodes. You will be able to see their clip online until March 31st, 2018.
Just as the title of the show suggests, it follows tourists coming to Japan who go on unique not so touristy journeys.
Arigato to those who reached out to us to be a part of the show, and also to the hosts who saw the episode and decided to become hosts.
