Homestay in Japan

I've attended a Homestay Program in Kisarazu Town, Japan on the last weekends.  This was my first attempt on joining the Homestay Program and to be honest, I was quite worried and nervous. I had no idea on which family I was appointed to until that exact morning when they came and took me "home". By the way, my "family name" is Hirakawa (平川). The Hirakawa is a middle class family with 5 family members (father, mother, 2 sisters and brother).

Here are some photos to share.

Day 1

#1

Self introduction+Knowing the family

Both of them laughed at my face! XD

The lady in pink is my Okaasan while the girl is the younger sister and the young boy is the youngest in the family.

#2

They have lots of cups with different designs *cuteness*

 #3

First lunch. I totally forgotten what is the name of the meal..

 #4

Here is the close up.

You have to mix the raw ingredients on  photo #3 into the shiru(soup), then only you put in the noodles(forgotten the actual name) in it. It was somehow appetizing. 

In the late evening, Otousan brought sis, bro and I to the garden to see and cuddle some cute dogs. 

At first I was curious why they wanted me to see the dogs so much. Upon reaching there, there were a swarm dogs ran toward us! XD There were like more than 10 dogs over there playing with each other!! Cuteness!!!

#5

#6

This is Milli Chan! <--Dog's name

 #7

This dog posed and wait for me to take his picture XD

There are more dogs actually but it's really hard to take a good picture of them because they kept chasing each other and ran around.

At night before our dinner, we played the Jin Sei Game (人生ゲーム). It's actually Monopoly. But it's the Japan version. The swt-test thing is that they have no idea what is Monopoly XD

#8

#9

They use this rotate thingy instead of a dice.

Dinner!! Sugoku Oishikatta!! (Very delicious!)

#10

Roasted Drumstick and Tempura. The prawn tempura is mamamia!

 #11

Rice with dunno-what-grains

 Okaasan said the grains are very good to the skin. So must eat a lot!

#12

Cawan-Mushi

After the dinner, the Hirakawa family prepared a birthday cake for me! What a pleasant surprised! XD 

I was so touched, but had no words came out from my mouth.. They treated me so well although it's just the first day knowing them.

#13

#14

I can't believe that my first cake would be from this family. 

#15

My bedroom and futon. Very traditional house.

Day 2

Started the day with awesome breakfast.

 #16

Breakfast

The 天下无敌 卤肉蛋. Super yummy!!! Okaasan is such a good cook!

#17

Okaasan took us to the seaside in Futtsu (富津) as I told her I've never been to seaside in Japan before.
We came across this beautiful structure.

#18

#19

From the 4th stage.

#20

Awesome view from the peak =)

#21

My "family". Too bad Otousan went to work and couldn't join us.

#22

Ramen for lunch. Still think that Doddekachan Ramen is the best in town!

Late in the evening, I went to join sis for the Taiko (drum) practice. 

#23

#24

During practice.

She is so good in it that I was stunned! She looked too decent for something like that. XD

At 5.30pm, Okaasan gave me a ride back to hostel. 

It's so sad to say goodbye. 

Although it's short, with only 2 days and 1 night, but they already treated me as part of their family especially the younger sis. She even cried leh... Made me feel so dismay.

 It's a really great experience. 

I'm so glad that I've met with such a good family. 

It totally changed my perspective towards the Japanese. I always thought that Japanese are cold-blooded animal that don't care less bout outsider. (Just like the pupils in my college. So damn self-centered.)

They made me feel real warm and it's great to know how Japanese live too!

P/s: Japanese houses really have NO ceiling fan!!! *hot*

#25 

One last ice cream before heading back to hostel.

Last but not the least, an artistry shot XD

#26

Hope you enjoy the post! Thank you!