Japan<\/a>, local knowledge comes in handy to navigate cultural differences, and a homestay is the ultimate expression of that. \u2018You don\u2019t have to organise anything,\u2019 says Canadian traveller Derek Friday. \u2018It\u2019s really great to have people who are on the ground to escort you, especially when it comes to language barriers.\u2019\u00a0<\/p>\nDerek stayed with a group at Hananeko House in the leafy town of Kawanehon-cho, and was plunged headfirst into the rural community. Throughout his overnight stay, he picked fresh vegetables, attended a traditional tea ceremony, walked through the neighbourhood with a view of Mount Fuji (\u2018it was surreal for me,\u2019 he says) and learned how to cook traditional Japanese meals.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u2018I got to learn how to make tempura from scratch, which was one of my absolute top favourite things that I did on the trip, because I was in someone\u2019s home in their kitchen doing what they do normally,\u2019 Derek says. \u2018I got really confident with cooking and flipping in hot oil with chopsticks.\u2019<\/p>\nOn the host\u2019s side, homestays are also a valuable experience \u2013 they offer an opportunity to meet travellers from all over the world, and introduce them firsthand to their culture. Natsuo Muramatsu moved to his guest house after retiring, and has been a homestay host for five years, opening his home to the company of strangers. \u2018I wanted to meet people from different countries and enjoy conversations and cultural exchanges,\u2019 he explains.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\u00a0
The activities Natsuo shares with visitors include swimming, catching crayfish, having barbecues and making mochi rice cakes \u2013 the latter of which Derek also enjoyed during his homestay. The process begins the day before by cleaning mochigome \u2013 a glutinous short grain rice \u2013 and soaking it overnight, then steaming it for an hour before putting it in a bowl and pounding it with a wooden tool. <\/p>\n
\u2018Yosho!\u2019 is the cheer you\u2019ll hear when people make mochi together \u2013 it\u2019s a way to encourage and support one another. \u2018It was so fun,\u2019 Derek says. \u2018I didn\u2019t realise the process of making mochi is really that simple.\u2019\u00a0<\/p>\n
Reflecting on his homestay in Kawanehon-cho, Derek remembers it feeling natural, even though he was on the other side of the world from his usual surroundings. \u2018Pulling up to the home, I felt no apprehension,\u2019 he says. \u2018It didn\u2019t feel so foreign \u2013 I felt very at home.\u2019<\/p>\n
Natsuo recommends that travellers stay for at least two nights, but ideally a week, to soak up all that Japan has to offer away from crowded tourist trails. \u2018There\u2019s much more to enjoy, like the starry night sky, which is beautiful here,\u2019 he says. \u2018Our guests often say that staying here feels like the real Japan.\u2019\u00a0<\/p>\n
Derek travelled (and made mochi) on Intrepid\u2019s Japan Highlights<\/a> trip. <\/strong><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Japan is one of the most popular holiday destinations in the world for good reason. From picturesque scenery and bustling nightlife to delicious cuisine, there\u2019s a lot to enjoy about this beautiful country \u2013 not least the people.\u00a0 Homestays are a great way to experience life through the eyes of a resident while you\u2019re travelling. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":145467,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[11760],"tags":[25106,1159,61354,1798,2167,31415,4243,61353],"dealstore":[],"offerexpiration":[],"class_list":["post-145466","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-adventure","tag-flipping","tag-home","tag-homestay","tag-japan","tag-making","tag-mochi","tag-rural","tag-tempura"],"yoast_head":"\n
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