Nagomi Visit Guest Story: "This experience reminded us traveling to other countries isn't about just seeing new places — but an opportunity to open yourself up to others."

2025-05-05

[My hosts] are an incredibly kind and generous couple that live in the city of Kobe, a short 30-minute commute from Osaka.

[My hosts] welcomed us into their home and shared a delicious, home-cooked meal that we’ll never forget. But their hospitality didn’t stop there — they also spent the day showing us around their beautiful city. From a scenic observatory and the harbor to a peaceful temple and downtown Kobe, they gave us a glimpse into local life in a smaller Japanese city — something we never would have experienced on our own.

During our entire 2.5 week trip through Japan, this Nagomi Visit was truly a highlight. As a couple from Canada, we were touched by their genuine interest in learning about our lives and culture. With the help of Google Translate, an incredible meal and local snacks, and a lot of laughter, we were able to build a connection with them that felt like a genuine friendship.

This experience reminded us traveling to other countries isn't about just seeing new places — but an opportunity to open yourself up to others. It also showed how easy it is to connect with others across the world, if you're willing to be kind and curious.

[My hosts] did an outstanding job creating a meal for us, it was incredibly delicious and well-thought-out. We had tonkatsu (fried pork cutlets) with different sauces, as well as sushi, miso soup, Nikujaga (beef noodles with potatoes), and salads. They had an assortment of tea (matcha, green tea), as well as different dessert items such as mochi and other snacks. They even had some natto and other fermented fruits such as plum and daikon for us to try. These are just the items I remember! There honestly was so much energy and thoughtfulness that they put in to make an incredible meal that highlighted local Japanese dishes.