Homestay – live with a Japanese Host Family

Are you interested in the Japanese language, Japanese food, and Japanese culture? Then you must try home stay with a Japanese family!

Japanese people rarely invite others to their homes. Living with a Japanese host family is a great chance to get an insight into the real Japan. Whether you are a tourist staying for a couple of days or a long term student, you can stay with a Japanese family during your time in Japan. You can stay from one night to one year, and you can combine family accommodation with other accommodation if you want.

 

Three reasons to stay with a host family in Japan

  1. You get a unique insight into the Japanese culture
  2. You get to eat home made Japanese food - you can even add cooking lessons
  3. You get a chance to practice your Japanese - you can book additional language classes if you like
 

What is the disadvantage of host family accommodation

You must commute to the city center since families seldom live in the city center. You also need to be more considerate than if you live alone. Read more advice on family accommodation in our FAQ.

 

Where are the families located?

We've partnered with Japan's leading host family provider who has more than 3000 host families throughout Japan, from Hokkaido in the north to Okinawa in the south. The families rarely live in the city center so like most people in Japan you need to be prepared to commute. In the big cities the families often live in apartments but further from the urban centers, families often live in standalone houses.

 

What is included?

You get a private bedroom where bed linen and towels are included. You usually share the bathroom and other areas with the rest of the family. Breakfast and dinner are included so you can taste good homemade Japanese food. There is an option to choose only breakfast, but it's not something that we recommend.

The family will meet you at the nearest train station when you arrive. If you want, you can book a transfer from the airport for 30000 Yen (about 200 USD). A representative from the accommodation provider will then take you from the airport to your accommodation using public transportation which often is the fastest way to travel in Japan. You can also add cooking lessons for 8000 Yen (about 55 USD) per lesson. All prices exclude VAT, currently 10%.

There are many types of host families. Young and old, with children and without children. Some are good at English while others only speak Japanese, so you really get the chance to practice your language skills. On the application you can request a family that speaks some English.

The most common is that the host is 30-40 years old. Families who receive foreigners often have family members who have lived abroad or are planning to do so. The families are carefully selected through interviews and home visits. It is not uncommon that they have received international students and visitors for many years.

 

Prices and discounts

The price consists of a booking fee and a price per person per night. The booking fee is 28000 Yen (about 185 USD) for one person. If you book for more than one person another 9000 Yen (about 60 USD) per person will be added. 10% Japanese VAT will be added to the final price.

The accommodation cost is paid directly to the Japanese housing company, but by using our form below, you will receive help in English and a discount on long-term housing. You can see the price per night and person in the table below:

Home stay halfboard

Official price

(excluding 10% tax)

Our discounted price

(excluding 10% tax)

1-30 nights:

5500 Yen/night

5500 Yen (about 35 USD) per night

31-60 nights:

5500 Yen/night

5000 Yen (about 35 USD) per night

61-180 nights:

5500 Yen/night

4400 Yen (about 30 USD) per night

181 nights eller mer:

5500 Yen/night

4300 Yen (about 30 USD) per night

Home stay breakfast only

 

1 night eller mer

5000 Yen/night

5000 Yen (about 35 USD) per night

High season supplement

 

December 23 to January 4

2000 Yen/night

2000 Yen (about 15 USD) per night

Price example 1 - Short-term stay: Charlie and Liza are visiting Japan and they want to do a home stay for 5 nights. The price consists of a booking fee of 28000+9000=37000 Yen plus 2 * 5 nights at 5500 Yen, i.e. 55000 Yen. In total 92000 Yen excluding VAT and 101200 Yen (about 670 USD) including VAT for five nights accommodation including breakfast and dinner. There are not many hotels that can compete with that price for halfboard, and none would give you the same experience.

Price example 2 - long-term stay: Pete will study in Japan. He wants to live in host family for 90 nights from April to June. His price is 28000 Yen for the booking fee plus 90 * 4400 Yen. In total 424000 Yen before VAT and 466400 Yen (about 3080 USD) with VAT for 90 days of family accommodation with half board. Since Pete has filled in our form below, he has received a discount of 5500-4400 = 1100 Yen per night. Considering that he does not need to pay VAT on this amount the actual saving is 1210 Yen/night so he saves 108900 Yen (about 720 USD) with our discount!

Host family housing is paid in advance. However, you usually start by booking and paying for a maximum of 12 weeks. Then you can extend your stay on site if both you and your family are interested in an extension.

 

Booking form

Once you know your exact travel dates you can initiate the booking process by filling in the form below. Homestay Japan will then get back to you with instructions and a more detailed form with questions that will help to find you a suitable host family. You do not commit to anything by filling in the form below.

Please note that you can't book these accommodations more than 6 months before you want to move in.

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Accommodations:     Host family     Share House     Apartment in Tokyo     Housing in Japan     Hotel

Quick facts about homestay

Is it suitable for students and long term visitors?

Yes

Isi it suitable for tourists?

Yes

How long can I live there?

From 1 day and longer.

Easy to get to know people?

Yes

Do you have private bathroom?

No usually not.

Is food included?

Yes breakfast and dinner.

What is the minimum age?

15 years old for students coming alone.

Where are the families located?

All over Japan but they seldom live in the city center.

Discount from YourHomeinJapan.com

Up to 1296 Yen (about 10 USD) per night

Articles about studying in Japan

Schools in Japan

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