Be treated like a local friend, not just a tourist!
Slip away from the guidebooks and step into a local home. Sip tea on the veranda, swap stories with your hosts, and learn about the heartbeat of Minamisanriku—its rich history, resilience, and deep-rooted fishing and farming traditions.
Cook, connect, and taste the local soul
No restaurants here—you’ll cook with the locals! Pick fresh vegetables from the garden, help prepare the catch of the day, and roll rice balls together. Taste the true stories behind every seasonal dish.
Discover the power of resilience
Share warm, honest conversations with people who have rebuilt their lives after the tsunami. It’s an unforgettable encounter that will touch your soul and stay with you long after you leave.
| Itinerary | Afternoon Course Example（Morning courses are also available.) 13:00 | Meet your host family at the designated meeting point, exchange greetings, and ride together to their home. 13:30 | Hands-on cooking experience making local snacks or sweets (alternatives: harvesting seasonal produce or taking a leisurely neighborhood stroll). 14:30 | Enjoy “Ochakko” (a cozy local tea break) with your freshly made treats while chatting comfortably about daily life and local culture. 15:30 | Head back to the meeting point with your host, take a commemorative photo, and express your gratitude. 16:00 | Farewell |
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| Cost | 1 Guest：¥20,000 (Solo Private) 2 Guests：¥20,000（Total Group Price） 3 Guests：¥30,000（Total Group Price） 4 Guests：¥40,000（Total Group Price） 5 Guests：¥50,000（Total Group Price） |
| What’s Included | ・Host family experience fee ・Transportation / transfer fee ・Arrangement fee ※Note: Lunch is not included. Optional Add-on: You can upgrade the cooking experience to include lunch for an additional ¥1,500 per person. |
| Duration | 3 hours |
| Booking Deadline | Requests for reservations for this experience must be made at least 4 weeks in advance. |
| Experience Availability | Year-Round |
| Participants | From 1 to 5 guests |
| Meeting Location | Minamisanriku Portal Center 200-1 Itsukamachi, Shizugawa, Minamisanriku, Motoyoshi district, Miyagi 986-0752 Google Maps |
| Important notes | ・Cultural Etiquette & Customs: Prior to arrival, participants are thoroughly briefed on local lifestyle rules and etiquette—such as respecting family privacy and removing shoes indoors—to foster mutual understanding. ・Experienced Host Families: All of our host families are seasoned in welcoming international guests. Even if there is a language barrier, they warmly connect and communicate using translation apps. ・Dietary & Religious Considerations: Please inform us in advance if you require any specific dietary, cultural, or religious accommodations. ・Matching Process: While specific host families cannot be requested in advance, we carefully coordinate and match families based on your preferred activities and interests. ・No Overnight Stays Available: This program does not include overnight accommodations. For guests wishing to stay overnight in a private home, we can arrange and introduce certified local households that hold official lodging business licenses. |
Booking & Inquiries
You can send a booking inquiry using the form below. Once we receive your request, we will check availability with our partners and send you an email regarding whether your booking can be accepted.
*Please note that submitting this form does not guarantee availability or confirm your reservation.
・For Travelers Contact Form
・For Organizations Contact Form
・Minamisanriku Tourism Association Booking Site
Cancelation policy
Our cancelation policy for this experience is below. Percentages represent the non-refundable portion of your experience fee.
| Up to 8 days before the tour date | Free (No cancellation fee) |
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| 7 to 2 days before the tour date | 20% of the program fee |
| 1 day before the tour date (Eve of the tour) | 40% of the program fee |
| On the day of the tour (Prior to start) | 50% of the program fee |
| No-show or cancellation after the start of the tour | 100% of the program fee |
Hosted By
Minamisanriku Tourism Association
