How to get the most out of homestay
 

I'm going to Japan on the 28th of March and will be staying there for 2 months.

Basic Itinerary:
1 week in Tokyo (hostel)
---- will be seeing Ayumi Hamasaki's concert!! omgomg!!
3 weeks near Nagoya (family)
5 nights in Osaka (hostel)
10 nights in Shizuoka - near Mt Fuji (family)
1 week in Yokohama (hostel)
1 week in Tokyko (family)

It has taken a LOT of planning and a LOT of saving and I'm really looking forward to it!!

The main reason for my trip is that I want to get much better at my Japanese. I would like tips on how to absorb as much Japanese as possible. I don't want to waste a second of my homestay! Also, when I'm not staying with families, how can I keep up my Japanese speaking?

Also, any suggestions on must-see places are welcome! This will be my 3rd trip to Japan. I went in highschool for a couple of weeks and then chaperoned a group of school kids this January for 10 days. I've only really seen Tokyo and this is my first big trip on my own.

すごいスケジュールですね～。お花見もし放題にできそ うですね。ぜひ日本の春を堪能して下さい。よい旅にな るよう祈っています。

ご返事をありがとうございます。始めにそんないいスケ ジュールを作るとは思いませんでしたが、私は楽しい時 間を過ごすでしょうね！
ホストファミリーとお弁当を食べながらお花見するのを 楽しみにしています。ナゴヤンキーの意見では東京の一 番いい桜公園は何ですか。

そうですね～、私の意見では井の頭公園ですね。新宿御 苑もいいです。また、私は行ったことがありませんが、 千鳥ヶ淵はとても人気があります。

井の頭公園：　Inogashira Kouen near JR Kichijoji Sta.
新宿御苑　：　Shinjuku Gyoen near Shinjuku Gyoen-Mae Sta.(Subway　Marunouchi Line)
千鳥ヶ淵　：　Chidorigafuchi near Kudanshita or Hanzoumon Sta.(Suway Shinjuku line)

他にもたくさんありますよ！Too takusan to mention desu.

You seem to be spending an awful lot of time in Shizouka, you have plenty of time to get to Kyoto, Osaka, Himeji, and that surrounding area where a lot of history, cultures and tradition can be seen, why not consider traveling over there?

For a month stay, you can get to Fukuoka!

I'm definitely going to go to Himeji and hopefully Kyoto for day trips but it depends how my budget is going at that point. I'm going to be in Shizuoka during Golden Week and I'll be staying with a friend I haven't seen in a long time so that's why I'll be there for so long. It looks nice though, lots of onsen and of course Mt Fuji. :)

I know someone who's staying in Fukuoka actually but it's a bit too expensive for me to go there. This will certainly not be my last trip to Japan though and I'd like to check it out. Ayumi Hamasaki was born there right? :D

Hi

Thats a good itinerary, assume approximately 200 a day (averaging out the flight cost as well), including food, transportation, accomodation etc

Thanks for your help but I leave on Friday so it's all sorted. :)

I leave tonight~!! It's so exciting! And it's awesome that there are two more JapanForum people going at the same time!

Watch out Japan. There be gaijin comin'!!