Nagomi Visit
2025-02-20
Describe your host?[My hosts] were wonderful hosts. In addition to making and sharing an enormous and very tasty meal, [my hosts] accompanied me around many interesting sites in Niigata that I would otherwise never have known to visit, especially natural sites outside of the city centre. [My hosts] were very friendly and this made me feel comfortable quickly. I appreciated getting to know them a little and believe we will stay in touch in the future.
What did you talk about during your Nagomi Visit?We talked about Japanese authors that we both like, food, upcoming travel plans and places we have already visited, differences in work culture, each other’s families and what to see and visit in Niigata. [My hosts] also talked about other people who visited them before and I discussed what I did on my trip so far.
Did you make any new discoveries?[My hosts] took me to a supermarket and explained some interesting foods and encouraged me to ask questions. I learned a lot about the city and learned how to make onigiri. I appreciated being welcomed into [my hosts] home to observe customs — though [my hosts] never made me feel uncomfortable, even though I am sure my table manners were awful! I also learned by observation how the single-use filtered coffee bags work (I was using them like a tea bag in my hotel, instead of opening the top. What a difference it makes to the strength of the coffee when you open it!)
What did you eat?[My hosts] made a delicious meal with a great variety of dishes. I am a vegetarian, which is uncommon in Japan, and I appreciate how much trouble [my hosts] went through to prepare authentic foods without using any meat or fish. Some of the food included tempura vegetables, gyoza (these were the best gyoza I ever had, no exaggeration), onigiri, gobo and carrot salad, potato and cheese bake, and many vegetables and rice.
What was your most memorable moment?There were too many to narrow down to just one.
Do you still keep in touch with your host?Yes, I believe and hope so. I hope that I can meet with [my hosts] in France where I live.