Tokyo - locals always know the best spots!

Tell us about your homestay experience.

Our first ever real homestay experience, and it was amazing! We have booked ‘homestays’ before on other platforms during our travels around Asia, in search of that authentic local experience. Unfortunately these all turned out to be small homely hotels, more akin to a bed and breakfast. Staying at Kana’s house was a way of experiencing the everyday of Tokyo behind the glamour of the big city. All without compromising location as we were only two stops away from Shinjuku station (the main connecting hub).

The host couple were so lovely, they welcomed us in as though we were old friends rather than strangers booking their spare room online. The perfect balance of time spent with them (bonus of being able to ask questions and find out about Japanese culture) but also having time to ourselves and our own space.

Having a kitchen, living room and ability to do laundry is a nice little perk too compared to staying in a hotel!

What did you do in Tokyo?

Our Tokyo itinerary was packed full! We spent long days on the go, trying to see everything we had pinned ahead of our trip.

We went to all the classic tourist areas and sights. Shinjuku, Shibuya crossing, Akihabara, the robot cafe, the Sumo tournament (so cool!), Harajuku street… I could list for a long time. But we loved the area of Kana’s home so spent a day exploring local restaurants and the park, and another area that they recommended to us. This actually turned out to be one of our favourite days- I suppose locals always know the best spots!

Any tips or advice for other travellers?

My tip for travelling anywhere is to take the time to try the local food. But this is particularly important for Japan as they have so many amazing meals.

So much thought goes into their meals. Speak to locals and learn the process of making the food, why it is served the way it is and how is best to eat it. We have spent many years struggling to eat katsu curry with chopsticks in western countries, to learn that they only eat curry with a spoon.

We did a sushi class at Tsukiji Market which was a really great experience.

This extents to their drinking culture too. Make sure to experience the atmosphere at a couple of local izakayas  and we also loved the quaintness of the venues at Golden Gai in Shinjuku.

Understandably everyone’s time limitations are different, but if you can take a day to go slow. Wander, look all around you and try something you wouldn’t ordinarily do!

Sushi making class at Tsukiji Market

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How was your experience with your host?

Our hosts, their home and the local area were all great. Whilst Japanese and Scottish cultures have clear distinctions, it was lovely to experience home life after so many months on the road. The ability to make a tea whenever I wanted, to cook food (although we didn’t do this often as we couldn’t resist the local dishes), pet their dog and sit on a couch (it’s the little things eh).

We learnt a lot about Japanese modern culture that we otherwise wouldn’t have picked up on. Kana also offers a Japanese calligraphy class, which is really cool!

The friendly neighbours at the local park!

Rico- the host’s beautiful dog.

Shibuya crossing on a Monday evening from Shibuya Sky tower

Enjoying a local football game