Student Cultural Exchange in Japan — Kumihama Bay

The Programme

Cultural exchange grounded in daily life

For students who want to experience Japan beyond its cities, Gentle Moon Stays offers a placement that a classroom or city homestay cannot replicate: real immersion in a working Japanese coastal community, on Kumihama Bay in northern Kyoto Prefecture.

Students live in a traditional minshuku guesthouse, contribute alongside host Atsushi on the family shellfish farm and around the property, take part in Japanese cultural activities, and have time to explore one of Japan's most varied and rewarding coastlines.

The result is cultural exchange grounded in daily life: in work, language, landscape, and the quiet rhythms of a place that has been shaped by the sea for generations.

"His English is excellent, and he's incredibly thoughtful, always making sure we were comfortable, well-fed, and connected to the beauty of the land and sea around us. You can tell he genuinely cares about every guest." ly c, Google review

"Feeling like being part of owner's family." SHIFAN FENG, Google review

★ Airbnb Superhost · 4.96 ★ 5.0 Communication

What You'll Do

A balance of cultural learning, light contribution, and free time

Atsushi adapts the mix to the age and interests of the group, and to the season.

Language and Culture

Functional Japanese for daily life: greetings, etiquette, useful phrases
Sessions on Japanese culture, geography, and the Kyotango region
Reflection journals and intercultural workshops
Optional certificate or service-hours letter for school credit

Light Contribution

Tidying and household tasks in the homestay
Beach clean-ups along Shotenkyo Beach
Garden and orchard tasks
Seasonal help on the oyster or cockle farm where age-appropriate

Cultural Activities

Calligraphy and ink painting
Tea fundamentals
Ikebana flower arranging
Incense, lantern, or silk craft sessions with local artisans
Visits to local shrines, temples, and historic merchant houses

Free Time and Day Trips

Bay-front walks and beach time at Shotenkyo Beach
Cycling the coast on the guesthouse bicycles
Kinosaki Onsen, 30 minutes by car
Amanohashidate and Ine, 45 minutes
Tottori Sand Dunes, around 1.5 hours

Sample 10-Day Exchange

A guideline, not a fixed itinerary

Atsushi shapes the days around your group, the season, and the weather.

Day 1 Arrival, welcome walk on Shotenkyo Beach, settle into the guesthouse. Orientation and house rules.

Day 2 Morning: Japanese basics. Afternoon: calligraphy and an etiquette walk through the local neighbourhood.

Day 3 Morning: study session and reflection. Afternoon: community task (beach clean or garden help).

Day 4 Cycling around the bay. Evening reflection session and group time.

Day 5 Day trip to Kinosaki Onsen or Izushi, depending on group interest.

Day 6 Morning language session. Afternoon: tea or ikebana workshop. Optional onsen visit.

Day 7 Free day for journaling, beach, sport, or independent exploring.

Day 8 Morning: light contribution tasks. Afternoon: incense, lantern, or silk craft session.

Day 9 Day trip to Amanohashidate or Ine.

Day 10 Student showcase. Short presentations and reflection. Departure.

Sample 30-Day Exchange

Deeper language progress, a small project, four day trips

Week 1 Orientation and foundations. Survival Japanese, community norms, settling into the homestay, first cultural workshop.

Week 2 Practice and participation. Conversation blocks, study hours, first day trip, first free day, group activity evening.

Week 3 Project and collaboration. A small project developed with Atsushi: an oral-history mini-interview, a photo essay, a biodiversity log, or a marketing piece for the area. Two more day trips. Two free days. Language exchange evening.

Week 4 Reflection and showcase. Compile the project, final day trip, final free day, presentation, and a certificate of participation.

"He shared fascinating stories from his life and work, giving us a rare, genuine glimpse into rural Japanese life that no guidebook could ever provide." ly c, Google review

Where Students Stay

Clean, well-maintained rooms across the guesthouse

Depending on group size, students sleep in the traditional tatami homestay rooms, the dedicated volunteer rooms, or a combination of both for larger school groups.

All rooms are clean, air-conditioned, and well-maintained. Shared bathrooms with a Japanese soaking bath. A shared kitchen for self-catering and group cooking. Free Wi-Fi throughout. Free bicycles for local trips. Free parking for up to four vehicles.

See where students stay

Safeguarding and Supervision

For schools and parents

Atsushi has welcomed students and young travellers for nearly a decade. Key practicalities for schools and parents:

A vetted host and family environment
A local coordinator on call during student stays
House rules and a clear code of conduct shared in advance
Parental or guardian consent and emergency contacts on file
School chaperone ratios supported for group bookings
Travel insurance required for all participants

For accredited programmes

Certificate of participation
Reference letter on request
Service-hours confirmation for community contribution

What Students Gain

More than a language trip

Everyday Japanese language confidence and cultural literacy that no classroom can produce
Interpersonal skills from genuine homestay living and daily conversation
A small project or reflection portfolio for school or university credit

Greater independence, resilience, and global perspective
Stories, photos, and friendships that last well past the trip
A genuine understanding of rural Japanese life and coastal culture

"If you want to get away from the busy city life and see traditional rural Japan, this was the way to do it." Riley, Airbnb (2026)

A Student Cultural Exchange in Japan, on the Kyotango Coast