[cursley]

Hi Guys =)

I've been accepted to go on a 3 week study course in Kyoto in the summer. The stay will include 2 weeks in a hotel and a week of homestay with a Japanese family. I'm really not sure what to expect while I'm there! Can anyone give me an insight?

Thanks!

[justanotherperson]

I used to live in Japan and I can tell you that you will love it! Although I lived in Tokyo, I visited Kyoto once and found it to be a really pleasant city One of the first things you will notice is how incredibly friendly, helpful, and polite Japanese people are. You won't really have a lot of trouble going around if you don't speak Japanese, but obviously learning the basics would probably be smart :P Japan is really quite safe and I never felt unsafe even walking around late at night alone. I don't really know what else to tell you haha, but feel free to ask any specific questions that you have!

[cursley]

(Original post by justanotherperson)
I used to live in Japan and I can tell you that you will love it! Although I lived in Tokyo, I visited Kyoto once and found it to be a really pleasant city One of the first things you will notice is how incredibly friendly, helpful, and polite Japanese people are. You won't really have a lot of trouble going around if you don't speak Japanese, but obviously learning the basics would probably be smart :P Japan is really quite safe and I never felt unsafe even walking around late at night alone. I don't really know what else to tell you haha, but feel free to ask any specific questions that you have!

Thank you, I've been studying Japanese for about 6 months now so I know a few basics . I've heard the people are very friendly too, I'm just worried about offending someone somehow, especially when living with a family for a week!!

[Mcnubn]

kyoto is a lovely city but if you visit osaka (tis very nearby) remember one thing, when leaving the train station make sure your using the right exit! The city outside of the north exit looks exactly the same as the south exit :<

[justanotherperson]

(Original post by cursley)
Thank you, I've been studying Japanese for about 6 months now so I know a few basics . I've heard the people are very friendly too, I'm just worried about offending someone somehow, especially when living with a family for a week!!

Haha don't worry, in Japan people are very understanding towards foreigners not always knowing some of the customs.

[smith4]

Your thinking is best to Japan for first time.

[IBzombie]

If you`re in Kyoto make sure to visit Nara and Osaka ^^
The family will know that you are not accustomed to their way of life, so just do a little research perhaps on how to take a bath (as often the family shared bath water etc.) and take a gift! It`s polite ^^

I don`t have much experience of Kyoto, though I have been there. I spend most of my time when I`m in Japan in the south.

It will be an amazing experience!