30min zum Zentrum von Tokio und Disney

This was my first homestay experience, but I feel as if there was no better place I could have chosen for my initial stay in Japan.

From the first day I felt welcomed into the family, eating dinners and breakfasts together, talking, exchanging views and discussing differences and similarities between our countries. Marie is very accommodating when it comes to Japanese level spoken with the guests (using English when needed) and the other family members represent a big variety in the way they speak the language. If you want a difficult conversation, Grandma is certainly the person to speak with. While challenging, conversations with her were always interesting and enlightening.

The area the house is located in is a nice, quiet neighborhood with many interesting places (especially temples and shrine) to see by just walking in the area. It is also located close to the river and many people are using the path there for exercise, talking with friends or even catching fish. This area is also very convenient when it comes to visiting Tokyo, with the station only a short walk from the house. This station is well connected to the stations in Tokyo proper, with most places reachable in less than an hour and with only a single train change.

Living with Marie and her family certainly felt as if I was also a part of the family. Soon enough I was volunteering to help around the house, both for the opportunity to speak more with others and to help, as Marie is very active and while it is amazing to see how she is able to juggle work, house chores and raising children, I wanted to try to ease her workload, even if just for a small bit. From time to time there were family trips that the guests could join, other times we went out to eat and meet with the family's friends.

If you are looking for a place to stay in or around Tokyo, Marie is certainly a great host to stay with. However if you come here, please don't treat the house as a hotel or hostel, join the family in their day-to-day lives to see with your own eyes a nice, warm and welcoming Japanese family. With this mindset you will enjoy yourself much better during your stay. I know I did and I will certainly try to keep in touch and visit the family from time to time, maybe even stay another week or two with them in the future, just to relive those memories.

What a nice and kind family!

It was my first homestay experience so I was a little nervous, but I've quickly made myself confortable at their house, because of everyone's kindness and hospitality.
The parents will help you with pleasure whatever you need and talk with you anytime, and the children are a little shy at the beginning but really really fun once they know you (I laughed a lot with them!).

They like to do some activities and trips with you, but they also let you have some space for yourself.

Also, some friends of the family often come at the house, so you will meet several very nice and fun people who live in Tokyo.

I recommend this family to anyone who intends to stay in Tokyo, and I will certainly go back there if I can! I really feel like I made some good friends in Japan by meeting this family.

We had an amazing time with Marie and her family. We especially enjoyed the homemade dinner together with everyone every day. If you are searching for a familiy to get to know Japanese culture and maybe improve your language skills i recommend you to stay at this open hearted, lively house.
Marie is very helpful and offers you a lot of information and advice. She is the only person who can speak English, but she is at home in the morning and evening on weekdays and on weekends she is available the whole day. The 2 children, Tomo and Lina are very curious and lively, so be prepared for surprise game sessions. On weekends you might be invited to join an activity like going to an Onsen.
If you are only searching for a convenient place to stay for your trips to Tokyo this house might not be ideal for you. It does take about half an hour by subway to get to the center (Otemachi) and you would miss an amazing time with a wonderful family if you are planning to be out most of the time.
If we get the chance come to Japan again we will definitely pay Marie a visit.

Staying with Marie was the first homestay I had ever done so I don’t have any other experiences to benchmark it against. However, I feel that it could not have been any better.

From the day I stepped into the house I was welcomed not as a guest, but as a member of the family. I learnt a lot about their lifestyles and culture from simply observing and also from having simple conversations with them. It was a really humbling experience that I am very grateful for and I would definitely return here without a doubt should opportunities to stay here arise again in the future.