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Nagomi Visit Guest Story: "Since we had heard about this format on TV, we really wanted to try it out a few years later when we actually traveled to Japan."

2024-11-17

[My host] and her husband were both incredibly warm, funny and friendly people. You felt welcome from the moment you opened the front door. They managed to create a pleasant atmosphere from the very first minute.

We talked a lot about food, the job and working conditions in Japan and Germany, as well as traveling in general, but cultural topics such as Japanese people known in Germany, as well as anime, manga and video games were also part of the conversation.

It was immediately apparent that they went to a lot of trouble for this visit, and in addition to the extremely generous host gifts, they were also very well prepared when it came to the food. There was a huge selection of sushi to roll yourself, with several types of raw fish (two types of tuna alone), lots of vegetables, rice, miso soup and fried food.

Max was completely unbiased and had no expectations of the meeting. He was just curious about the hosts, who were about our age, and how they lived. The meeting was nice and we had a good time.

When we exchanged the host and guest gifts in the living room. We hadn't expected host gifts.

We exchanged some chat messages before and after the visit. I also got in contact after we arrived back in Germany.

Since we had heard about this format on TV, we really wanted to try it out a few years later when we actually traveled to Japan. I had always been particularly fascinated by the exchange with the locals. How do these people see the world? What motivates them? What are they particularly happy about? The small insight into their world of thought is an enrichment for our own perspectives and serves to broaden them.

Nagomi Visit Guest Story: "We also managed to see the old collection of games and still working famicom of our host."

2024-11-14

They were an older, very kind couple. I first met with [my host] at the train station. I remember her big smile when she greeted us and introduced us to her cheerful sister. At house we met her husband and grandson. They all made us feel very welcomed in their beautiful, filled with history house. Throught our stay they treated us with many different things to eat and drink. They were very happy that we wanted to try out many things. They also showed us their valuable, historic items, like a kabuto helmet and they were so kind as to even let us touch it. When they showed us kendo equipment, they even let us try it out. Overall, they were very generous and kind hosts, we learned a lot from them and they let us try out many different things.

We mostly talked about the differences between our cultures, but also we shared the memories of our trip up to this point.

We learned about the custom of putting on a display Hina dolls and kabuto helmet. We could try out the traditional Japanese toy, Kendama. Also, we learned a lot about different customs of Japan.

We had tempura vegatables and shrimp, udon, kaarage, many different side dishes and we could taste really good sake.

When our hosts showed us the kendo equipment one of them used and let us try it. We also managed to see the old collection of games and still working famicom of our host.

Nagomi Visit Guest Story: "The excitement building up as I was planning the surprise for my husband"

2024-10-28

[My hosts] went all out to ensure my husband and I were comfortable and had a great time! This whole experience was a surprise for my husband and our hosts even celebrated my husband's belated birthday in their special way. We loved every minute spent with them and have promised to keep in touch.

We exchanged so much, including about our different cultures, food habits, also gifts, and more. We even had a calligraphy session with them and learned so much. We also visited a shrine in the neighborhood and a supermarket. Both were great!

Yes, definitely! We learned so much about Japanese culture, and food, and got the opportunity to visit a Japanese home for the first time.

Izumi is an excellent cook. We had delicious Bento boxes, desserts, and fruits. The food was awesome!

It was a wonderful experience for both my husband and me.

The excitement building up as I was planning the surprise for my husband with [my hosts] was fun! It was a wonderful afternoon spent with them.

Nagomi Visit Guest Story: "Oh yes-with regard to the way of living whilst incorporating IKIGAI."

2024-09-08

Our host is a friendly person who likes exchanging ideas, talking about cultural customs and is very reliable. Besides that we were offered delicious food.

We were talking about food, the different societies we live in as well as changes within the Japanese Society over the last 40 years.

Goya with fish, Sushi rolls, a little cake and many other delicious things.

They were as happy as me of this wonderful idea to meet people in their private homes in order to get as much insights as possible into a foreign culture.

The tea ceremony.

Oh yes-definitely! We invited our host to come to see us at our place.

Nagomi Visit Guest Story: "My second was watching the younger children connect through Nintendo. Play transcends language barriers."

2024-08-26

We had dinner with [my host] and her three children. They lived just outside of Tokyo. [My host] and her family were extremely kind and very welcoming from the moment we met. I felt right at home with her family as we sat around her table and talked.

We talked about everything! We talked about life in Japan vs life in the US. Holidays, food, school, our children’s future plans. We discussed our concerns for our children and what we want for them. We discussed what life was like during Covid. I loved talking with [my host] and her children.

New foods, new ideas..this whole evening was a night filled with new discoveries.

Siu Mai Chicken Dengaku Salad Pumpkin Tamago-Yaki Sushi Ongiri Pork Roll Custard Grape Jelly Japanese Snacks

We visited with my family of six. Two adults and four teenagers. We all enjoyed the experience. My oldest enjoyed connecting with the two oldest daughters while my son and younger daughters enjoyed playing Nintendo with the son.

I have two. After dinner, we sat around and talked and I really appreciated the level of comfort that we had developed in a short amount of time. My second was watching the younger children connect through Nintendo. Play transcends language barriers.

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