Housing & Host Families
Starting from the 2025-2026 academic year, AKP students can choose between two housing options: homestay housing and apartment housing. Whether you choose to live in a homestay or by yourself in an apartment, all AKP students are partnered with a host family during their time in Kyoto through AKP’s host family program.
Features of AKP Housing
Homestay Living
The traditional AKP housing experience, homestay housing is still the ideal way to get both an in-depth understanding of Japanese life and culture and an immersive language experience outside of the classroom.
Homestays vary wildly in terms of location and daily life, and those interested in homestay housing should prepare to embrace the challenge of adapting to their host family’s customs and lifestyle (see “The Host Family Experience” below.) While adjusting to living with a new family requires effort, flexibility, and patience, those who put in the effort to make the most of their experience are highly rewarded.
Note that homestays able to accommodate certain dietary restrictions are limited in availability.
Apartment Living
An option geared towards more independent students, apartment housing comes equipped with essential furnishings and appliances.
Apartment living gives students a chance to experience what it’s like to live by themselves in Japan. However, those in apartment housing need to take care in how they manage their meal stipend and be especially proactive in finding opportunities to get involved with the local Kyoto community and practice their Japanese outside of class. It can be easy to feel isolated or removed from Kyoto itself when in apartment housing.
Japanese apartments also tend to be smaller than the average US-sized apartment, so students should expect a smaller space than what they may have in the US.
The Host Family Experience
Having offered homestays for over 50 years, AKP has accumulated a wide pool of host families in Kyoto and nearby areas, with new families joining the program every year.
Prior to your arrival in Kyoto, AKP staff take painstaking care to match you with a family that can best support your needs and lifestyle, factoring in everything from diet to hobbies. Homestay students live with their host families full-time while apartment students are encouraged to regularly message and meet with their host family.
For both types of students, your host family will be a cultural anchor, grounding what you learn both in class and in your own adventures in the context of daily life in Japan. They’ll offer you countless chances to communicate, explore, and experience Japan as a member of a Japanese family. They can connect you with your community as well as provide opportunities for cultural learning and discovery.
It’s important to remember that host families come in all shapes and sizes. Some have children or pets; some are retired and living on their own. Some live in very traditional Japanese homes, while others are in Western housing. When it comes to going out, some may be very active, while others may be more laid back or busy with other schedules. While AKP can’t guarantee what type of host family you get, all of our host families volunteer with AKP because they’re passionate about helping our students grow! It’s just up to you make the most of what your host family situation has to offer.
Though you might be concerned about the linguistic and cultural challenges involved with bonding with your host family, you’ll have the support of AKP’s Resident Director, AKP’s full-time Homestay Coordinator, and the language faculty. If you have a problem or even just want to learn how to tell your host family that you will be late for dinner, don’t hesitate to ask!