Mimura's home was so welcoming, and really helped us to ease in to our time in Japan. Hisae-san was there every morning to check if we were ok, and always provided a very delicious breakfast, she even lent me a fan to cool off on the really hot days! We had a truly lovely time with the family, especially when we had dinner and saw the firework display. As much as we loved Tokyo, there was something about Osaka that reminded us of our hometown, and the hospitality of the Mimura family made it even better. The local area: There is short walk to the station which you will probably find yourself doing every day, but it's really manageable, as it's a flat route all the way with lots of drinks machines to keep you hydrated - but just be mindful if you go in August, as the heat can make the walk a very hot one! There are also two very convenient shops about two minutes away, where you can buy some tasty food for dinner or for snacks. If you do some exploring you may also find the local market which has some beautiful and vibrant produce! Even a little shop with lots of sweets and treats. It has to be said that Osaka might not keep you as occupied as Tokyo, but in truth we found ourselves knowing the area really well, which helped build our confidence in exploring, and seeing some unexpected treasures that you might miss in the hustle and bustle of Tokyo. I really recommend places such as Dotonburi in Namba (there are some really cool and novel bars), the massive aquarium and Tempozan Marketplace, (which is next to the Aquarium), Grand Front Osaka (a big shopping complex) and of course Universal Studios which is literally one stop away! There are also a lot of temples nearby, and if you wander the streets a little bit, you'll see some fascinating sights. Mimura's house is so cool! If you like One Piece you'll be finding yourself spending much of your time in the living room - an absolute feast for the eyes, but I won't spoil it for new guests. The bedroom, bathroom and kitchen have all the necessary utilities and it makes for a very comfortable stay. If you come from a western country like us, you may find yourself experiencing a culture shock; no matter how much research you do, living it is very different. Therefore, I really would recommend Osaka as the first place to kick off your trip, and it helped us gently acclimatise to the differences. Additionally, I also recommend Mimura's home, as you'll get an opportunity to do things both with the family and by yourselves in an environment that is super friendly! We absolutely adore Osaka, and we want to come back as soon as possible! This is definitely not our last trip, and we hope to see the Mimura's again very soon! Thank you so much for looking after us! どうもありがとう! x

Kumi's home and hospitality was absolutely fantastic! Kumi-san was incredibly helpful and understanding, and regularly took us to see some wonderfully Japanese things, like the onsen, karaoke and sushi! Even when we went off to do our own thing, we always returned to be greeted by a smile :) It is a very convenient location, just a few minutes walk to station and a seven-eleven shop which is just around the corner (which has an international ATM!). There's also a huge shopping centre about 10 minutes walk away which was also very useful for getting lunch or new socks! But it has a lot of lovely treats in it too, like a food market and even a starbucks. The area itself is very lovely, and lots of interesting little shops to go and have a gander in. Overall, me and my two friends thoroughly enjoyed our stay in Tokyo and we can't imagine ever staying anywhere else again! We think very fondly of Kumi-san and Lisa-San and their warm and welcoming home, and look forward to returning with great anticipation! If you want a homestay that will make you laugh and introduce you to lots of interesting new things, then definitely go here! Thanks so much for looking after us! どうもありがとう! x