This article introduces the experience of Tsuneage-san, who did a homestay in Wakayama Prefecture from 2~6 July 2023!
Tsuneikage’s profile
Birthplace: Saitama
Occupation: University student
Period of stay: 5 nights
About the accommodation: Mihama Town, Wakayama Prefecture
Host family’s introduction HP: https://familyinn.jp/en/hosts/mihamatyo/
Host Family’s Name: Mr. Iwanaga
Why did you use FAMILYINN?
One of the reasons is that I like travelling alone. I wanted to interact with the locals, not just sightsee.
I found FAMILYINN on Twitter (X) and decided to use it there.
Did you have any concerns before using FAMILYINN?
I wasn’t too worried because I knew my hosts, but I did have some doubts about the facilities as I was going to be in a different environment for a longer period of time than usual. I was more excited and hopeful than anxious!
Impressions of the hosts and the town through the stay
I was very impressed by the fact that soon after I arrived, my hosts took me to a board game café just one stop before where I would be staying.
My impression of the town was that it was a big fishing village, but it was not a terrible countryside, as there were DIY lodges still being prepared, and I also had the impression that it was a town that was evolving in a good way, involving the people around it.
Some places are being remodelled in a resort style, and I was excited to think that when this is completed, it will be a place that even first-time visitors to Wakayama will be able to enjoy.
My daily schedule
During my stay, I did different things depending on the day, for example, I would spend the morning relaxing and working, go out for lunch with my host or go out for a long distance trip.
I think I spent my time very meaningfully with my hosts, who took me to many places!
As mentioned above, the experience of seeing an old house where the hosts were involved in the DIY project left a strong impression on me.
He also had a main house that was being renovated and was in the process of turning a separate house into a private accommodation.
He took out the tatami mats, remodelled the kitchen and the opportunity to see such a renovation process was very exciting and a good experience.
Have you seen any changes or discoveries about yourself as a result of your Familin experience?
It gave me a chance to feel anew the connection with the local community and people, and I was also able to reaffirm that I love nature. It also gave me the opportunity to think about how I want to regularly and consciously live a life connected to nature, even in my busy daily life.
Who I would recommend this place to and how to spend a meaningful time here
This is an old house, so the hospitality is not as good as a hotel, but as described above, it is an old house or a separate house that is being renovated, so you can feel the ‘changes’ in the houses and the local area first hand.
For those who can enjoy such a process of change with their hosts, I think they will have a very meaningful homestay experience.
Final impressions
Travelling is fun. Visiting a different environment itself is one thing, but getting to know the local area brings new insights to your mind. As a result, it can be a source of growth and enrich your life. The homestay was a very memorable experience for me because it was different from travelling.
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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We hope that by living in the community, you will become more integrated, more connected and more aware.
And we offer you moments of encounter with yourself.
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