This was my first foray into Japan and so to be welcomed by Otomo-san and his family into their home was an absolute blessing. Whilst Tama City is an unlikely destination for those who have their eyes set on Japan (gravitating instead towards the centre of major wards/prefectures), the city is full of an understated charm that’s as inviting as it is peaceful. Even though the house was a 25 minute walk from the train station (an important metric for Japan’s residents), I had no trouble finding a bus or taking my bike which cut the travel time by more than half.
The greatest benefit of this home for me, aside from its welcoming space and comfortability, was to be in Tama where shops are still plentiful without the oft-cited chaos of Tokyo’s inner wards (e.g. Shinjuku, Shibuya). Returning to Tama after a night out offers the perfect respite and this home plays a large part in that.
The Satoshi family showed a hospitality that I will never forget. As I stay here I hope to do the same.