Better Education for All
Practical Language Acquisition Platform
Live Learn and Discover Japan
Homestay and visit local school program for students year 3-7
Palaygo Stay offers more than just a homestay — your kids will also attend a local Japanese school for a few days and have fun with local Japanese kids. They can connect with their host families through a safe email before they arrive and stay in touch long after they leave. This creates opportunities for continuous language practice and cultural exchange, helping your child build meaningful, lasting friendships that extend well beyond the homestay experience.
2025 Palaygo Stay in Japan - Program Details
Jan 2026 - Program details
Dates:
School Visit:
Participants:
Location:
Departure:
Cost:
Organiser:
Cooperation:
January 16 to 21, 2026
Sapporo Nishi Elementary School
Students from Year 3 - 7
Hokkaido, Japan - Homestay and hotel stay in Sapporo City
Join during your family's visit to Japan.
1,400USD *note: Flight and hotel arrangements are optional.
*Including about $250 of ski fees (lesson, gear/wear rentals, lift access)
Language Discovery Group
PUKEKO (Local Community Organisation in Sapporo)
* Program details may change
Based on feedback, we've created a shorter and easier-to-join plan too!
Dates:
School Visit:
Participants:
Location:
Departure:
Cost:
Organiser:
Cooperation:
January 17 to 20, 2026
Sapporo Nishi Elementary School
Students from Year 3 - 7
Hokkaido, Japan - Homestay and hotel stay in Sapporo City
Join during your family's visit to Japan.
880USD *note: Flight and hotel arrangements are optional.
*Including about $250 of ski fees (lesson, gear/wear rentals, lift access)
Language Discovery Group
PUKEKO (Local Community Organisation in Sapporo)
Benefits Beyond Exchange
・Make a difference in students' lives now and in the future
・Families on both sides become part of a global community
・Create lifelong international friendships and connections
・Learn about and appreciate different cultures
I'm a paragraph. Click here to add your own text and edit me. It’s easy. Just click “Edit Text” or double click me to add your own content and make changes to the font. Feel free to drag and drop me anywhere you like on your page. I’m a great place for you to tell a story and let your users know a little more about you.
Our Support System
- We've Got You Covered, Even on Your First Visit to Japan
Features of our program
Homestay with a Japanese family and visit a local school
The program offers the best of both worlds: weekday immersion in local schools for an authentic educational experience, combined with weekend homestays with Japanese families in the Palaygo network. Students will experience Japanese culture firsthand while forming lasting bonds with their host families and their children of similar age who are learning English. (No Japanese proficiency is required to join the program!)
Complimentary Palaygo Mail safe proprietary email exchanges with hosting children
Complimentary Palaygo Mail safe proprietary email exchanges with hosting children and other similar-aged students in Japan for a year
What is Palaygo Mail?
Children can easily communicate and stay in touch with similar-aged children in Japan! The special and safe mail system allows accurate communication in both Japanese and English, even with zero Japanese proficiency. Our unique proprietary program allows students to engage one-on-one or with many students across Japan and use Japanese and English in real-life situations.
Experience World-Class Winter Activities in Hokkaido
In Hokkaido, skiing is so integral to local life that it's even part of the school curriculum. The region is renowned for its exceptional snow quality, attracting visitors from around the world year after year. Whether with your family or alongside your host family, immerse yourself in the full range of snow activities that make Hokkaido a winter paradise. The program offers a full-day ski lesson to start, followed by another visit to the snow mountains to enjoy skiing and snowboarding with local Japanese children and their families!
Student Voices
"Playing football and basketball with my new friends at school was the best part!" – Grade 7
“Just 9 days changed my view on life. I can’t wait to visit again!” – Grade 6
“I was nervous at first, but my host family was kind and made me feel at home.” – Grade 6
“It was amazing to feed horses and talk to my host sister about Japan!” – Grade 4
We look forward to welcoming you!
Messages from your English class friends
Application Flow
By Dec. 10 – Official Entry & Selection
*Submitting the application form does not guarantee your stay in Japan. We will review the applications and notify you of the results.
By Dec. 17 – Payment
Once you are accepted and your homestay placement is confirmed, please transfer the program fee by the designated deadline.
After confirming your payment, we will send you the travel itinerary.
Dec. 20 – Online Participant Orientation
We will go over meeting points, the overall schedule, and information about Japanese culture and manners.
