Votre nuit chez l'habitant au Japon

La magie de ce séjour en famille d'accueil

At Japaventura, we are proud of our trips for several reasons:

The choice of meals - because love for Japan often comes through the stomach.

Attention to detail - to help you discover the different facets of Japan.

Our knowledgeable guides - who share their enthusiasm for the country with you.

But what we are most proud of, what sets us apart from our competitors and enriches your Japanese experience like no other, are our host families.

A homestay is an experience you will remember forever. You will spend a day with a Japanese family in the countryside and discover the daily life of a family like so many others, who will warmly welcome you into their home and delight in your visit.

We meet our families at the station in the late afternoon. Thanks to the famous Japanese sense of organisation, nothing is left to chance, so you are put in touch with your respective host families and you travel home together; your guide will meet you again the next day.

You may stay with a family with children, a retired couple, or an elderly widower who enjoys cooking dishes made with produce from his farm.

Whichever family you meet tonight, a very ‘Japanese’ experience awaits you, one that you would be unlikely to have on your own or with another travel agency.

You will sleep in your own room in the family home and share dinner and breakfast with your hosts.

Your hosts will certainly be delighted to show you around their home, which will be a unique opportunity for you to see a real Japanese household - don't forget to take off your shoes at the entrance and leave your outdoor shoes at the door ;)

What do I need to prepare?

Nothing at all! The only thing you can bring is a small welcome gift, called ‘omiyage’ in Japanese.

With typical specialities from your country or region, you are sure to make the right choice. As with typical Japanese omiyages, we recommend bringing something to eat or drink.

As most families do not speak English, communication between you and the family is another adventure of your trip to Japan. You will certainly remember it with a smile after your trip. But we assure you that with a smile, a little sake at dinner and the Google Translate app, everything has always gone well so far :)

What should I expect?

You can expect a family that has been carefully selected and vetted by us in collaboration with a Japanese organisation. Although you cannot choose your family yourself, you are sure to have a wonderful time, regardless of who welcomes you.

So far, all of our travellers, without exception, have been delighted with this experience, and we look forward to hearing about your stay with your host family.

1. Remove your shoes at the entrance In Japan, it is customary to remove your shoes at the entrance, in the genkan – the vestibule. Slippers are often worn, but not on tatami mats.

2. Bring an omiyage – a hostess gift A small gift, such as a regional speciality or a sweet treat, is a much-appreciated gesture and shows your consideration for your hosts.

3. At the table – Itadakimasu and Gochisōsama Before starting to eat, you say itadakimasu to express your gratitude; at the end of the meal, you say gochisōsama deshita. It is also customary to respect your elders and to bring your bowl up to your mouth.

4. Using chopsticks correctly Never stick your chopsticks vertically into rice (this is reminiscent of a funeral rite). Do not pass food directly from your chopsticks to another person's chopsticks; it is more appropriate to place the food on a plate or use the other end of your chopsticks.

If you like the idea of staying with a local family, you will also love our Peru, Bolivia, Chile tour with Viventura, which also offers this unique option.

So far, all of our travellers, without exception, have been delighted with this experience, and we look forward to hearing about your stay with a host family.