International students visited local families as a home visit program.　〈Fall 2025 semester〉

Hosei University Global Education Center conducted a home visit program for international students in cooperation with Chiyoda City.
At this time, seven international students visited five local families and experienced Japanese hospitality through cultural activities such as the tea ceremony, board games, and home-cooked meals.
We received the impression of“It was a meaningful and enriching experience for our children to join in international exchange,” and “We had a wonderful time. Thank you very much.” from host families who participated in the program.

 The international students who participated in the program also had the opportunity to experience the daily life of a Japanese local family, which is rarely encountered in their usual student life, and gained a deeper understanding of Japan.


 Hosei University Global Education Center will continue to promote activities to deepen exchange between the local community and exchange students.

参加者の体験談

Sapienza University of Rome　Alessandro MARTINI（Italy）

My home visit was one of the most memorable experiences I’ve had during my stay in Japan. From the very first moment, the family welcomed me with such warmth that I immediately felt at ease. We talked a lot about our cultures and everyday life, comparing experiences and discovering surprising similarities and differences. It felt meaningful and natural, and it helped me understand Japanese life from a much closer perspective.

After talking, we played 人生ゲーム (The Game of Life) together. Following all the funny and unpredictable events on the board made the game lively and full of laughter. It was also a great chance to learn new Japanese expressions in a spontaneous and fun way. I learned many new words while trying to be the banker!

For lunch, the daughter of the family kindly taught me how to prepare a vegetarian okonomiyaki. She showed me each step, from mixing the batter to flipping it on the pan, and it turned out delicious. Later, she even introduced me to the basics of preparing matcha and guided me through the gestures of the tea ceremony. We enjoyed the tea with traditional Japanese sweets from 宝来屋本店 (Horai-ya Honten).

I left their home with a full heart, new knowledge, and a beautiful connection I will always treasure.
This experience showed me a side of Japanese life that I could never have discovered on my own and I sincerely hope that many other students will have the chance to experience something just as special.

Shanghai International Studies University　Haofei SU（China）

I participated in today’s exchange event and received very warm hospitality. Through the thoughtful kindness of the host couple and Ms. Akemi’s friendly and open personality, I was able to spend a pleasant and peaceful time.

All of the home-cooked dishes, including dumplings and hot pot, were excellent, and I also enjoyed the fun interactions we had with the children through playing games together.

One thing I found regrettable was that Ms. Akemi does not appear in the photographs. If there is another opportunity to meet in the future, I would very much like to take a commemorative photo together with everyone. I hope that this exchange will continue in the future.

Université Jean Moulin-Lyon3　Clement BENOIST （France）

This experience was really interesting. With by classmate Kohi, we were warmly welcomed and had a great time with Akemi, Yuichi and their two kids Ito and Chitose.
We shared a great moment all together by preparing home made gyoza for lunch. This was a real worthy experience since it really provided an athentic feeling of being like a family member. Along gyoza, we were served nabe, raw tuna salad and rice. It was a unique opportunity to try real home cuisine, and I really enjoyed it ! It made me willing to try to cook japanese dishes myself.
Then we had a board game together in the afternoon, it was a lot of fun.
So this experience was the first time for me to actually get inside a japanese home, and I was curious about it, especially in big cities like Tokyo. I am grateful to Akemi and Yuichi for inviting us on their home, it was a great pleasure !

Moscow State University, Institute of Asian and African Studies　Elena KHILIUSHKINA　（Russia）

An unforgettable experience we’ll cherish forever. On 15th November, we were welcomed with open arms into a local Japanese home.

Our hostess was incredibly gracious and kind, embodying the true spirit of Japanese omotenashi. We spent the day learning about Japanese home life, savoring amazing home-cooked dishes we’d never find in a restaurant, and sharing wonderful stories about life, travels, and our different cultures.

It’s these genuine human connections that truly nourish the soul. We left feeling so full—not just from the delicious food, but from the kindness and warmth we were shown. A beautiful reminder of how much we all have in common. Thank you for having us!

Tashkent State University of Oriental Studies　Timur Azizovich YULDASHEV （Uzbekistan）

During the visit, we learned a great deal about Japanese culture. We had a conversation about the tea ceremony (茶道), learned how matcha is traditionally prepared, and even played the classic Japanese game kendama. We also discussed the Edo period and how Japan’s long isolation influenced the development and preservation of its unique traditions.

By a wonderful coincidence, it was also my birthday that day. Ms. Koyama kindly prepared a homemade cake and treated me to a traditional Japanese dish. Everything was incredibly delicious, and her hospitality made the day even more special.

Overall, it was a truly unforgettable experience. I not only gained new knowledge about Japanese culture, but also created warm memories that I will cherish for the rest of my life.

Anáhuac University　Demek NEME OLIVARES（Mexico）

My home visit was a wonderful experience where I learned a lot about Japanese culture and everyday life. I visited the home of Chieko-san, Takayuki-san, and their son Koki-san. They were incredibly kind and welcoming. We talked in English and I also tried to speak as much Japanese as I could. Even though I’m still learning, they patiently helped me, and they even asked me some questions about the spanish language, which was very fun.

We ate soba and oden together, and Koki-san showed me how he makes udon from scratch. It was amazing to see! After lunch, we played several board games, and I got to experience their family’s dynamics and some Japanese games, which I enjoyed a lot.

I brought Mexican candies to share with them, and they kindly gave me somen as a gift because they noticed how much I liked it.

Overall, it was an unforgettable experience where I learned a lot and truly enjoyed spending time with such a wonderful family.

NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences　Lucia WONINK MARTINEZ（Spain）

I loved my time with Miki and Mila. Spending the day together was truly meaningful, and I feel that we learned a lot from each other. They were incredibly welcoming and kind, and I really appreciated the chance to experience everyday Japanese life through their eyes. Our conversations were fun and thoughtful, and I enjoyed sharing stories about our cultures and daily experiences.

I would be very happy to welcome them to my home city someday, and I would love to show them around and introduce them to my own culture in return. I’m grateful for this opportunity, and I hope we can meet again in the future.