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If you are looking for a unique, and one-of-a-kind activity that will give you the opportunity to make new friends, and see the real side of Japan, then this may be the trip for you. This short 2-day homestay program will start in Tokyo and take you to one of Japan’s most culturally significant small towns to spend some time with a Japanese family, and learn about the culture, and lifestyle. This experience is perfect for travelers planning their own itineraries and looking to experience more than the over-crowded tourist attractions, or language students searching for an opportunity to practice their Japanese skills. Experience authentic local Japanese life while you take in the beauty of the countryside.
Tokyo
17-20 May 2018
10-13 July 2018
26-29 September 2018
5-8 November 2018
12-15 December 2018
10-13 January 2019
Even though Izumo is a small town, and vastly different from the fast-paced lifestyle of Tokyo, it is a very important and culturally significant location. Some of the last surviving katana makers call Izumo home. It is also home to Izumo Taisha, which boasts one of Japan’s most important shrines, beautiful beaches, and relaxing natural hot spring bathhouses. This experience will give you a chance to actually spend time with a Japanese family. There are many things that are integral to Japanese culture that are easily missed without having the opportunity to build a relationship with a Japanese person. This experience gives you the chance to build new relationships with local people, personally learn more about the culture, learn to cook real Japanese homestyle food, and gain a better understanding of the Japanese lifestyle and etiquette. Below you will find a list of suggested items to bring:
We start our trip in Tokyo in the evening by boarding the last existing overnight sleeper train in Japan to Izumo. The views on this train are unparalleled. Watch the city slowly fade into countryside as we make our way to the town where all of the Shinto gods congregate.
We wake up in Izumo city the next morning and meet with our Japanese host families for two days of experiencing authentic, small-town life in Japan. This is also the perfect opportunity to practice your Japanese and work on conversational skills. Please note that the itinerary is not pre-determined for the homestay. Activities are based on your own personal interests, and what your host family would like to show you during your time there. Izumo and the surrounding area has a plethora of beautiful sites and destinations, and Kichi Japan can provide you with several recommendations based on your interests. Below you will find a list of possible attractions:
– Izumo Taisha shrine
– Hinomisaki Lighthouse (one of the tallest lighthouses in Japan)
– Inasohama Beach
– Oku-Izumo katana makers
– So much more!
We say goodbye to our host families early in the morning and you then have the opportunity to explore the surrounding countryside for a few hours, making use of this time to pursue your own personal interests, before boarding the overnight train back to Tokyo. We will arrive back in Tokyo early the next morning. Use the time on the train as an opportunity to reflect on your experience – look at the photos you took with your family, think about what you learned and go home with the assurance that you’ve made new friends and had an experience that you won’t soon forget!
