homestay

Hi, my name is Espi and a few weeks ago I completed my homestay program in Kawane, Shizuoka. Kawane is a small agricultural town over 200 kilometers from Tokyo, and is home to a little over 6,000 residents, many of whom have lived there for their […]

Last week, I completed my homestay adventure in Kawane, a small town of 6,000 in Shizuoka Prefecture. Looking back, I recognize how much I grew throughout the process, and the extent to which my feelings changed throughout my stay. The connections you can make with a […]

Hi, I’m Espi, and this is the 3rd week of my homestay adventure in Kawane, Shizuoka. Throughout the last week, I have had the opportunity to see firsthand the full tea production process. This is an amazing experience, as Shizuoka, specifically the region I’m in, produces […]

Hi, my name is Espi, and so far, I have spent a little over 10 days in Kawane, Shizuoka - a small town in the middle of tea country. Throughout my stay, I have noticed one thing in particular that differs from all my past experiences: […]

5 days ago, I left Tokyo, a city infamous for its bustling streets, crowded stations, and neon lights. I drove through countless mountain tunnels, passed thousands of trees, all with one location in mind: the town of Kawane. Hi, my name is Espi. I’m 16 years […]