This article describes the experience of Ms Tanaka, who did a homestay in Bizen City, Okayama Prefecture, Japan, from 25 December to 29 December 2023!
Ms.Tanaka’s profile
mother and three children (7)(5)(0)
Hometown: Osaka
Occupation: Full-time housewife/ Occasional yoga
Period of stay: 5 nights
Address: Bizen City, Okayama Prefecture
Stay place introduction HP: https://familyinn.jp/en/hosts/bizen/
Why did you choose FAMILYINN?
I had always wanted to experience nature in the countryside. I was looking for this through travel, but the disadvantage was that it would be a family-only excursion. I was looking for a place where my children could play on a long holiday and found the FAMILYINN website.
Did you have any concerns before doing a homestay?
I had a zero year old baby and a lot of luggage, so I thought the two and a half hour journey would be difficult. I was concerned about whether there were pharmacies around, but I had asked my host before I went, so my fears were allayed.
Breakfast was included in the accommodation, but not lunch and dinner, so I was wondering how I would procure food. I talked to the host about the meals beforehand, and I told her that the host would cook what she procured and that I would also help a little. The host also told me that it was fine either way, so I was at ease.
My impression of the hosts and the town through my stay
My impression of the town when I arrived was that there were many private houses around the area, rather than just a single house in a pothole.
I was grateful that my hosts also came to pick me up with all my children. My host’s impression was friendly and she and I are both mothers and close to each other. We had a good interpersonal distance, I thought there was a good balance between not being attached and being allowed freedom and being able to work together. The hosts are in a job related to childcare, so they were very kind to the children!
My daily schedule
7:00 Wake up 8:00 Breakfast (they brought it and we ate together)
8:00-12:00 Children play outside with each other
12:00~18:00 Hosts took me to the forest kindergarten together18:00~19:00 Children bathe together
19:00 Dinner
20:00 Free time
My experiences and episodes in the homestay
I also had yuzu (Japanese citrus) in my bath. The children get on very quickly, we had some fights and we have a good relationship. We tend to make the children do their lessons and homework during the long holidays, but the children here played freely. I felt that the children here know how to play in different ways and through that experience they become more human. I felt that the children in this house have the power to make their own decisions freely. I also felt that they have a strong sense of body. They also knew about the cages where they catch wild deer and boars. I felt that even though I was so free to do what I had to do, I was going to do what I had to do. It is a state of mind to leave children alone and ignore them, not to leave them to their own devices, but for adults to designate points of reference and to ‘tighten up’ when they need to tighten up. I found their way of parenting very helpful. I felt comfortable here, no TV, youtube or other electronic sounds in the house!
Did you notice any new things or discoveries after your homestay? (e.g. changes in life you would like to make in the future)
I wish I could tell my children that there are places where they can feel safe even when they are away from home, and I want to tell them that they can expand their lives by going to the countryside.
Who would recommend this place and how to spend a meaningful time here
I recommend this place for beginners who want to experience the countryside and for beginners with children! The hosts are welcoming people and the children can play a lot with each other. I was able to relax and get away from everyday life.
Message from me.
When I told my friends about this experience, many of them said they would love to try it. I wanted more people to experience it. I would like to let my children spend more time freely through child-rearing.
About Familyinn
We believe that you only meet people on a journey once in a lifetime.
There are times when you can touch a place, a person, but can’t connect deeply with them.
If it’s just a place with information on the internet, it’s not enough.
If we could spend a little more time together.
I feel we could help you to become more, deeply aware and discover a new you.
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