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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..

Nagomi Visit Guest Story: "We tasted the real mochi! We also learned about the Japanese school system."

2023-09-02

Describe your host?
[My host] is a very kind, helpful and nice lady. She is a bakery teacher so she has a natural passion for cooking, in fact we cooked something together for the dinner and it was very funny. [My host] loves to travel a lot and see the world, and this makes her a curious person with many things to tell and with which it is nice to have a real cultural exchange.

What did you talk about during your Nagomi Visit?
During the dinner we talked about several things: Japanese and Italian cuisine, [my host]'s job and [my host]'s sons, the countries that she visited in Europe and our journey in Japan. There were also some curiosities about Japanese and Italian habits.

Did you make any new discoveries?
We tasted the real mochi! We also learned about the Japanese school system.

What did you eat?
Hosomaki, cold soba, corn and edamame tempura, an appetizer with eggplant (I don't remember the name), mochi dessert and matcha tea.

If you participated with others, what were their thoughts about the Nagomi Visit?
My husband is excited about Nagomi Visit, he liked it and it is an experience he would like to do again.

What was your most memorable moment?
It was fun to shoot some polaroids together.

Do you still keep in touch with your host?
We told [my host] that when she comes to Italy we will be happy to have her as our guest and she will also be happy to meet us again when we will return to Japan.

Nagomi Visit Guest Story: "I think I will always remember the flavor of the umeshu."

2023-07-14

Describe your host?
My hosts were a couple who loved to travel, and to make friends from other countries. He laughed at everything in a joyful and relaxed way. She made practicing English her hobby, and not just American or UK English, but world Englishes from all over. They were warm and welcoming and I enjoyed my time with them thoroughly.

What did you talk about during your Nagomi Visit?
They taught me how to make temaki, and explained how they make their own umeshu. I talked about my experiences teaching Japanese students, and we discussed cultural differences between Japan and the USA, chiefly the difference in uncertainty avoidance. She talked about her experience volunteering at the Olympics. They told me about trips they had taken, and their plans for an upcoming trip to Cambodia. They showed me around their home. I asked them what I should be sure to see in Tokyo, and they drove me over to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building to enjoy the view from the south observatory.

Did you make any new discoveries?
Not only had I never tasted umeshu, but I had never heard of it. It tasted wonderful. And she spoke about meeting a friend from an Arab-speaking country, and how his English had completely different uncertainty avoidance from other English speakers.

What did you eat?
I ate temaki, as well as agedashidofu, a spinach salad with sesame seeds and a radish salad. Afterward, we had cherries.

What was your most memorable moment?
I think I will always remember the flavor of the umeshu.

Do you still keep in touch with your host?
It happened yesterday, but I have already corresponded with them by email and LINE. They tell me they send New Year's greetings, and we took one picture together in which they wore dragon hats so they could help me welcome in 2024.

Why did you go on a Nagomi Visit?
I learned about Nagomi visits back in 2017 and thought the idea was wonderful. I am a college professor and hope someday to bring students to Japan with me for a study away trip. If that happens, I intend to assign them to go on at least one Nagomi visit.

Nagomi Visit is finally back after three years!

2023-07-13

After three years of tough decisions, we are finally back to help you meet locals all across Japan.

Since we restarted on July 3rd, we are already receiving host requests from all over the world, and there have already been a few Nagomi Visits within the first week of starting.

We are currently running on donations from our passionate hosts and grants we received from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and the Nippon Foundation because we had to shut down for three years due to COVID.

We hope to become a sustainable organization again with your participation. Fingers crossed!

Temporarily stopping Nagomi Visit due to Coronavirus COVID-19（新型コロナウイルス感染症の流行に伴い、一時的に活動を停止します）

2020-03-05

We have decided to stop Nagomi Visit operations temporarily due to the Coronavirus COVID-19. We will restart Nagomi Visit again when the situation gets better and people can join Nagomi Visit with peace of mind.

During this period users will no longer be able to:

1. Send new requests
2. Register as a new host

If you are already going on a Nagomi Visit you will be able to join as planned. We, the Nagomi Visit team are here to help you at anytime.

Here you can find the Guidelines for Cancellations due to the New Coronavirus and Infection Prevention Measures during a Nagomi Visit .

新型コロナウイルス感染症の世界的な流行に伴い、一時的にホームビジットを停止することに致しました。今後、事態が収束して多くの皆さんが安心してNAGOMI VISITでの交流を楽しめるような環境になり次第、活動を再開したい考えです。

1. ゲストとして参加したい人が、新たにリクエストを送ること
2. ホストして参加したい人が登録手続きをすること

なお、既にマッチングが確定している場合には事務局は通常通りの対応を致します。実施やキャンセルに関わるガイドライン も合わせてご確認ください。 （NAGOMI VISITの日本語HPへリンクします）

Guidelines for Cancellations due to the New Coronavirus and Infection Prevention Measures during a Nagomi Visit

2020-02-22

To Participants of Nagomi Visit

Some hosts and guests may be wondering whether their Nagomi Visit should be canceled due to the spread of the new coronavirus.

You can find the Guidelines for Cancellations due to the New Coronavirus and Infection Prevention Measures during a Nagomi Visit below.

We hope that both hosts and guests will be able to use these messages from Nagomi Visit as necessary so that each others' situations and feelings can be completely understood.

February 21st, 2020