About the Homestay
- Welcomes
- Males
- Females
- Couples
- Families
- Students
The big two-family house I can offer my guests is my parents' house with 10 empty rooms. However, my father is deceased and my mother is in a special nursing house, so I use it as my office and homestay. It takes 7 minutes on foot from Sengendai Station at which the express train stop for you to go to the central Tokyo. It takes about 30 minutes by a train to Kitasenju in Tokyo. It is very convenient house nearby a post office, shopping stores, a hospital, schools and so on .
I have experience of homestaying in foreign countries such as the United States, Switzerland, Germany and the United Kingdom. There, I was received a warm homestay hospitality, and this time I started homestay as a host because I wanted to help foreigners who are interested in Japan. After retiring from retirement, I studied abroad in the UK for 2 years and returned back to Japan. Now I am a lecturer to teach Japanese online and at a university, so especially those guest who want to learn Japanese language and culture or international students who plan to study at the Japanese university are welcome.
Bedrooms available for booking
About the Area
My house is in the eastern part of Saitama prefecture, north of Tokyo. You can reach the nearest station, Sengendai Station, in about 2 hours from Narita International Airport. It takes about 7 minutes on foot from the west exit of Sengendai Station to my house. It's very convenient because it takes about 1 hour from your home to Tokyo Station.
In Spring: The cherry blossoms bloom beautifully from late March to early April every year in a 5-minute walk from my house. Please come and visit us at this time.
https://japantoday.com/category/national/japan%E2%80%99s-cherry-blossom-forecast-for-2023-is-here!-tokyo-among-cities-to-see-sakura-first
Local Area Facilities
- Tennis
- Park
- Gym
- Swimming
- Bowling
- Cinema
- Library
- Museum
- Shopping Centre
- Amusement Park
- Sports arena
- Health club
- Restaurant
- Bus Stop
- Train station
- Hospital
Meals
Hosts can offer a complimentary light breakfast at their discretion. All other meals, including a full breakfast, might incur an additional cost, if offered. Meals and any additional payment should be arranged directly with your host.
Included in the stay
- Complimentary Light Breakfast
- Use of Kitchen
House Rules
(01) Contact and communication each other between gust and host for comfortable homestay. The guest notifies the host the time and day of guest’ schedule of activities such as arrival date and time in advance by the schedule sheet or SNS sch as LINE and Messenger.
(02) Support to approach my house:
For pick-up requests, the extra charge fee (international airport 10,000 yen, Sengendai station 1000 yen) will be collected for the convenience of a guest.
(03) Privacy for each bedroom with a key of the door
The 3rd floor attic has no passageway leading to the 4 rooms. So, Room301 and Room305 can be locked and privacy is protected, but Room302 is cheaper because Room301’s guest pass through it. Each room can be locked without rooms of Room302, Room303 and Room304. When going out, if you need the key to the front door and your room, a deposit fee of 5,000 yen will be collected and returned when you leave.
(04) Our house is protected by the security system for guests, such as emergency rescue, fire alarms, and security guards for house intrusions. Since it is guarded from 22:00 to 7:00 in the morning, we ask guests to self-report on the activity schedule when returning home after 22:00. Guests may use the bathroom and washing machine from 7:00 to 22:00, respecting the sleeping hours of others.
(05) Eco house with solar power generation and hot water supply by sun. In accordance with the SDG's policy of saving energy resources, my house uses solar power to generate, consume, and sell electricity, and uses solar power to heat cold water without consuming gas. Guest are kindly requested to cooperate in energy-saving solar hot water and air conditioners that do not use gas and electricity. Guests must turn off the air conditioner while they are out.
(06) How to use facilities and equipment in my house:
Guest can use your room, the chatting room(Room101) shared for guests, two toilets, bathroom, the maluti papers room(mini-kitchen, Landry) . Guests may not use any other rooms without the host's consent. Guests will be charged 1000 yen/day if they use another room without permission. You will follow my homestay rules so as not to bother others. Do not touch the cupboards, goods, etc. other than the shared place unless host's consent.
(07) Japan protects each other's health by measuring the corona infection of not only its citizens but also foreign guests with a thermometer. Hosts have a moral responsibility to take appropriate measures to protect their health if a guest is infected with coronavirus and develops a fever.Guests are asked to take care of each other's physical condition and health and to record any high body temperature with a thermometer to prevent infecting others. Guests should be careful of infectious diseases.
(08) Extra Fee: All special order costs are subject to 10% sales tax. The dining & kitchen room on 1st floor fee is500yen/day, The Japanese room & Living room fee is 2800yen/night. The bicycle usage fee is 100 yen / day, washing machine fee with detergent100+drying200yen, and guidance fee aroud Kohigaya to go with you is 1000 yen / hour. Japanese language instruction fee is 1000 yen / hour. If a guest damages something in the house, guest have to pay the the equivalent amount of damages. The amount of 30000JPY would be requested at the check-in as a security deposit that will be refunded back at the check-out if no damages have been inflicted.
(09) Meals:
Guests can use the kitchenette on the second floor (refrigerator, microwave, cooking electric heater, electric kettle, etc.) so guest can prepare own breakfast by yourself. If you offer the host to cook meals for unit of one month, you will be charged an additional fee (breakfast 500 yen / time, lunch 1000 yen / time, dinner 1500 yen / time).
(10) Guests can use the multi-purpose room (bathroom, laundry room, drying room, kitchen, dining room) on the 2nd floor free of charge, which is included in the accommodation fee. Except for Room 101 guest room, the host's consent is required in advance for a fee.
(11) Etc.
Do not hesitate to ask the host in advance if you have any questions so that you can spend your time comfortably at the host's home.
Smoking Rules
Your host is a non-smoker.
Smoking is not allowed.
10 Reviews
January 2024
Shigeru-san is an exceptionally hospitable and kind host with a strong appreciation for Japanese culture. He particularly enjoys it when guests show an interest in the culture too. For those planning to explore the east side of Tokyo, such as Ueno & Asakusa, Shigeru's place offers a convenient location with manageable commutes. However, if your itinerary includes frequent late-night outings, especially in areas like the western part of Tokyo, be mindful of the last train schedules, as they may affect your return trips.
A word of caution for taller-than-average guests: the rooms on the 3rd floor are in attic spaces. I am 5′ 3″ and found them a bit too low, so choosing rooms on other floors might be better. For families or groups, I recommend the rooms on the first floor, where you'll have access to a normal-size kitchen and dining room, ensuring a more comfortable stay.
The neighborhood itself is extremely safe and quiet, not bustling with activity. It does offer several dining options and grocery stores for essentials, all within a three-block radius or near the train station(8 or 9 min walk). Big-A is an affordable grocery store..
Thanks again for hosting me last-minute around the new year. Thank you for sharing your life experience in my hometown.
Host reply
October 2023
Shigeru is a very welcoming and friendly person. If we need information or help, he is there. Her house is nice, clean and close to the station. The place is quiet. You are about 35-40 minutes from Tokyo. He will be able to show you traditional Japanese places. He can even help you in Japanese, it's fun. The different rules are easy to follow. The rooms are well appointed and clean. If during your stay you need something, Shigeru offers various services like home-cooked meals, etc.... We were able to discuss lots of very interesting things.
So happy with my short stay.Host reply
September 2023
Unfortunately we had a very stressful stay here. First I thought we would have access to the kitchen even just to eat breakfast but we got a very small “multi purpose room” with no where my toddler and baby could eat. Then, he made up rules that were not in his rule book. Such as he said we could have the AC on if we just went out for a little bit but then went into our room after we were out for 20 minutes, turned it off and fined us (mind you it was above 100 degrees and people in japan were dying of heat stroke. We even helped a guest there who fainted in the multipurpose room because it was so hot. When brought up to him he blamed the guest for not drinking enough water). I think he could be a good host but needs to grow a lot more - seems very set in his ways.
We had no privacy or space as he even took pictures of our rooms and sent them to us (the one day I’m rushing to get this kids out). I would not recommend this stay for families at all as he blamed our baby for acting like a baby and our toddler for acting like a toddler. He should not have accepted us or any family. He was very controlling and you didn’t know what rules he made up (for example another guest was allowed to leave the AC on). It was not comfortable or private and I would not want my family to stay with him again. I hope he doesn’t take offense with this honest review and instead takes it as feedback and grows from it.
Host reply
June 2023
Shigeru and his house are prepared for any number of guests and things are guaranteed to go smoothly. The various rules ensure that all guests will get along, regardless of lifestyle or language barrier. The host is eager to explain anything and will support you in your endeavours. The top floor (the rooms that are available here on homestay.com) has a low ceiling as it's directly under the roof, so tall guests might have difficulties to walk around in their rooms. Shigeru offers various services like home made meals, Japanese lessons and guided tours but sadly I was too busy until the very last day.
Host reply
April 2023
This guest awarded the host 5 hearts but didn’t leave any comments.
Host reply
April 2023
Overall a great experience with a very attentive host. Location wise, expect to travel 30-40 minutes using the Tobu line to get to downtown Tokyo (NOTE: The Tobu line is NOT compatible with the JR Pass, so you'll need to purchase separate tickets or use an IC card)
Host reply
March 2023
We had a wonderful stay at Shige’s home. He welcomed us more thank we could ever hope, was so considerating and communicating for our arrival, came to pick us up at the station… Plus we arrived in full Sakura season so he showed us the nice places around the neighborhood
The room was also comfortable, we slept really well! The place is quiet.
Thank you so much ShigeHost reply
February 2023
This guest awarded the host 5 hearts but didn’t leave any comments.
Host reply
January 2023
Je ne recommande pas cet hébergement en hiver, ni même du tout. Le seul avantage est le fait que le prix est très bas. Nous avons quitté 2 jours plus tôt que prévu.
L‘hôte, n‘habitant pas la maison, ne la chauffe aucunement, donc la température à l’intérieur est la même que celle à l‘extérieur dans les airs communes et la salle de bain. Heureusement il y a une unité de chauffage dans la chambre, mais l‘hôte propose de régler une horloge pour l‘éteindre pendant le sommeil.
Hôte paternel voir intrusif et contrôlant. Il faut inscrire sur une feuille notre heure de levé, notre heure de départ, lieux de visite et heure de retour à la maison et mentionner si on arrive après 22h. Il faut prendre sa température sous le bras à chaque matin. Il mentionne que c‘est pour nous aider, mais on se rend vite compte qu‘il ne nous fait pas confiance. En quittant, nous mettons notre literie dans la laveuse, tel que demandé, il me demande de regarder la chambre avant notre départ. Il m‘accuse d’avoir volé un drap contour. Je vais avec lui à la laveuse, le drap y était. Bref, il est très méfiant et n‘a sûrement pas la personnalité pour ce genre d’expérience.
Notes si vous louez :
Attention, il faut passer par la chambre 302 pour accéder à la 301.
Les chambre 301-302-305 sont dans le grenier. Je ne les recommande pas. Aussi, l’annonce laisse sous-entendre qu’elles ont une salle de bain privée, mais le bain et la toilette sont partagés et au premier étage.
Bon courage.
Host reply
April 2022
This guest awarded the host 5 hearts but didn’t leave any comments.
How do I book?
Contact the host about your stay - tell them a little about yourself, why you are staying and ask any questions you have about their homestay. You will be able to book immediately after sending your message.
When do I pay?
Once a host confirms they're available, you can go ahead and pay the 15% booking fee (maximum of 250 $£€ for longer term bookings) and a 25% deposit using a choice of payments: Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Maestro, Laser, JCB & PayPal. The deposit is collected in advance on behalf of the host to protect against no show or late cancellations (within 7 days of arrival). You then pay your host the balance due on arrival. The 25% deposit payment is made to the host 2 business days after your scheduled arrival date. This deposit payment will only be refunded if you cancel the booking at least 7 full days prior to arrival.
When can I share my contact details?
Host and Guest email address, phone number and home address will be exchanged in a confirmation email sent to both immediately after a booking is completed. It's against our policy for Guests and Hosts to exchange direct contact details via our messaging system.