A Cultural Journey: My Experience with a Japanese Host Family in Ishikawa

During my year-long exchange in Japan, I decided to join a program for foreign students that allows them to live with a Japanese family for a few days and explore new places.

There are several programs like this in Japan, and the one I participated in is called Japan Tent. Families who host students in this program are usually not paid — they volunteer because they want to share Japanese culture and, in many cases, introduce their children to other cultures. It’s a great way to connect not only with Japanese families but also with fellow students from around the world.

Each student was paired with a ‘host sibling’ and stayed with two different families — one in a rural area and one in a more urban setting — giving us the chance to experience both lifestyles in Ishikawa Prefecture.

In my first family, I had a Chinese host sister, and we stayed in a house in Komatsu City.

We spent a few days hiking to Natadera Temple, playing PlayStation with our host father, and visiting the local aviation museum with his children.

For the second part of the program, I stayed with a family in Kanazawa, the main city of Ishikawa, with a Taiwanese host sister. This family included a mother, father, and three boys — the youngest one was the naughtiest! They took us to one of the famous chaya districts, where traditional tea houses line the streets, and to the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, home to the iconic pool installation.

We also visited Kenrokuen Garden, one of Japan’s most beautiful gardens, and tried ice cream topped with gold leaf — a local specialty, since Kanazawa produces 99% of Japan’s gold leaf. While the gold doesn’t have any taste, it makes for a memorable experience!

Many families, including mine, spent time enjoying creative activities.

The local newspaper even featured a photo of my family and me playing music at a community hall. We also tried our hand at making traditional Japanese sweets called wagashi and painted our own Hachiman Okiagari dolls. I decided to get creative and painted mine to look like Mario!

I have many fond memories of this program, me and my family kept in touch even after I left and even sent each other New Year cards. If you’re planning a trip to Japan, consider visiting Ishikawa Prefecture. It has so much to offer, from historic architecture to modern museums, beautiful parks and gardens, and delicious local cuisine.

A Few Facts About Ishikawa Prefecture:

Ishikawa’s capital, Kanazawa, is famous for Kenrokuen Garden—considered one of Japan’s three most beautiful gardens.
Kanazawa produces about 99% of Japan’s gold leaf, which you can even try on soft-serve ice cream!
Ishikawa blends old and new, with preserved geisha districts (chaya) alongside cutting-edge art museums.
Facing the Sea of Japan, the region is celebrated for its fresh seafood and hearty local cuisine.
The prefecture’s location on the Hokuriku Shinkansen line makes it easy to reach from Tokyo.