ANiaHomes is a website specially designed to connect those interested in participating in homestays in Japan with host families living in Japan.

Do you want to immerse yourself in Japanese local culture or lifestyle?
Are you looking for a more authentic travel experience that you won’t have staying at a hotel or vacation rental?

NiaHomes exclusively lists accommodation with host families who are willing to welcome you into their homes with the warmest hospitality.

Discover your perfect homestay and begin your adventure in Japan with NiaHomes!

What is a NiaHomes “homestay”? ＞

ANiaHomes “homestay” grants an opportunity for guests from anywhere in the world to interact with people from the local community.

There are two types of homestays dealt with by NiaHomes:

1) Shared-living type
The host family lives in the same house as the guest for the duration of their stay.

2) Interactive type
The host family resides at a property nearby, while maintaining their availability to interact with guests on a daily basis (e.g. when they live next door or another house on the same premises).

————
We do not call it a “homestay” if guests meet the host family only when checking-in or checking-out, or if there is no direct communication between guests and host families.

Is the “Interactive type” also a homestay?: Is it included as a “homestay” even if the host does not live in the same house? ＞

AWhen we think of a homestay, we generally have the image of a “shared-living type” where you stay in a vacant room within the house where the host is living. This “shared-living type” is the main type dealt with by NiaHomes.

On the other hand, there are many cases where, even if the host is not living in the property they are loaning, such as a house built in the same site as their home or in a neighboring house they own, they are in contact with their guests every day.

Cases where the host not only meets the guests at check-in/checkout, but goes out with them for sightseeing and meals, provides information on recommendations in the areas, or interacts in the same way as the “shared-living type” are called “interactive type” by NiaHomes.

What we remember from our travels are the people we meet there.
At NiaHomes, we introduce both “shared-living type” and “interactive type” homestays (private accommodation) to provide our guests with opportunities to interact with people from the local community.

AThe thing we most remember from our trips is not the scenery or food we eat, but the people we meet on our travels.

It is warm interaction with the local people at the heart of everyday life, who kindly show you the way when you are lost or invite you for meals. These are very different from those you meet when you are at tourist spots or shopping.

At NiaHomes, we believe that this is what makes a trip special.

Of course, going around “out of the ordinary” tourist spots is fun, but spending your whole trip doing that can be a bit of a waste.

Interact with the local people and become involved with their everyday life.
The way to change your trip into one of “unique” memories is a homestay where you stay at somebody’s house.

This is not limited to travelers from overseas, and people living in Japan as well can experience the warm interaction of a homestay.
We believe that the level of satisfaction in your trip will drastically change. NiaHomes focuses on this kind of homestay.

AThe attractions of a homestay, more than anything else, are that you can experience the normal lifestyle of local people, and you can interact with a host family who will warmly welcome you as a member of the family.

A homestay is the only way that you can enjoy both the “undecorated everyday experience” and “interaction with local people” as a set with accommodation, which is something you cannot experience at hotels, “ryokan” Japanese-style inns, or private accommodation where you do not meet the host.

Because of language and cultural barriers, it is usually difficult for foreign tourists to become friends with Japanese people during their trip. But with a homestay, from the instant the door is opened, the host family greets you as a member of the family.

Japanese travelers, as well, will get much more enjoyment by interacting with the local people rather than just visiting tourist spots.

Another attraction of homestays is that you can often stay there for a cheaper price than at a typical hotel or “ryokan”.

A homestay where you can enjoy the “everyday experience” and “interaction with the local people” at a reasonable charge will really improve your level of satisfaction in your trip.

AAs a host family, you can accept guests from all around the world, allowing you to connect with people from a variety of cultural backgrounds while staying in Japan, making it an extremely attractive means of cultural interaction.

I want to interact with many people from around the world.
I want to rent out an empty room in my home and get income.
I want to repay the help I have received when traveling abroad to people coming to Japan.
I want to improve my ability in foreign languages.

There can be a variety of objectives when starting a host family. However, once you start the host family, the fun of interacting with people from a wide range of countries always becomes the number one reason to keep welcoming new guests.

Further, homestays, by welcoming guests from around the world, have the potential to help revitalize the local community.

Homestays can increase the number of fans of the local area by introducing local recommended spots and local events not listed in the guidebook, communicating to the traveler the charm of the local area in addition to the normal tourist spots.
As attraction of homestays is that you can act as a kind of “grassroots good will ambassador”, communicating the charm of the local area to the world.

Join the NiaHomes community as a host family!

AAll host families listed on NiaHomes are eager to welcome you into their homes and communicate with you as your family in Japan.

Also, each and every one of them is registered as a “Private Lodging Business Operator” certified by their local governments. This means that they must closely adhere to the rules of the Private Lodging Operations, which include keeping properties clean, safe, and secure for guests, and preventing potential disagreements involving guests, host families and neighbors.

Can I register as a NiaHomes host family? ＞

APeople who are interested in participating in homestays in Japan or experiencing Japanese local culture or lifestyle.

When registering as a guest, submission of an identification document is required, which must then be verified by the NiaHomes Team. Only verified guests can make a booking through NiaHomes.

From solo travelers to families and friends, for both short and long stays. NiaHomes welcomes anyone from around the globe, including residents of Japan, to join the NiaHomes community.

Can I register as a NiaHomes guest? ＞

AYes, you can book from one night to a longer term to suit your travel plan.
* Please check the minimum length of stay of each listing.

AYour booking will be completed when the host accepts your booking request.

1) Find your ideal homestays
From the NiaHomes website, search your ideal homestays.
↓
2) Send a booking request
When you find your ideal homestay, send a booking request to the host.

　① Select the room you’d like to stay

　② Check availability on the calendar

　③ Enter the length of stay and number of guests

　④ Confirm reservation details
　　(optional: send a message to the host)

　⑤ Register payment information
　　You can make a payment by credit card.
　　(VISA, Master, or UnionPay)

* Once your booking request is accepted, the accommodation fee will be charged to your registered credit card.
　(You will not be charged until the host confirms the booking.)
↓
3) Confirmation by the host
The host confirms whether they are available within 48 hours.

You can review your booking request from the Bookings section of your My Page.

* Your booking request will be canceled automatically if not confirmed within 48 hours.
↓
4) Booking completed!
Your booking will be completed when the host accepts your booking request.

Once your booking request is accepted, the accommodation fee will be charged to your registered credit card.

* You will not be charged if the host declines your booking request or does not confirm your request within 48 hours.

AYes, NiaHomes will donate 2% of your room charge* for supportive activities (such as disaster relief) needed in areas where our hosts live.

As many natural disasters occur in Japan, such as earthquakes, tsunamis, or typhoons, support for the restoration and redevelopment may become necessary in our hosts’ hometowns or their neighboring areas.

We, at NiaHomes, not only wish to facilitate meaningful connections between guests and host families, but also value and encourage connections between guests and local communities.

* Applicable when the total room charge (excluding service fee and tax) exceeds 10,000 yen

For further information of the payment: Is there a handling fee? ＞

ABoth guests and hosts will send a review on their homestay/hosting experiences (ratings on a scale of 1 to 5) and messages to each other in the form of a “Thank You Letter” after checkout.
The entry deadline is within 14 days after checkout.

Reviews from guests to hosts: Part of the reviews (overall rating and message) will be shared to all users on the NiaHomes website.

Reviews from hosts to guests: All ratings and messages will be shared with the guest and hosts who will receive a booking request from the same guest in the future.

ANiaHomes is a combination of “Nia”, which means “our” in Esperanto, and the English word “Homes”.

Esperanto is a language created in the late 1800s and the language of no particular country.
It is a universal second language to be used between people with different mother tongues to understand each other.

Making memories and families across borders.
Our passion is mirrored in “the language without borders”.

AAnyone over the age of 18 can register as a NiaHomes guest.
(Registration is free of charge.)

ARegistration is free of charge for both guests and host families.

AYes, you will be able to make a booking through NiaHomes after your registration is completed.

Registered guests can also use the “My Favorites” function to add hosts to your favorite list and the “Chat” to talk to hosts before making a booking.

AWhen your booking request is accepted by the host, you will pay the accommodation fee which includes a 20% service fee and consumption tax.

The accommodation fee includes:
1) Room charge
2) Service fee (20% of the room charge)
3) Consumption tax (10% of the service fee)

You will register your payment information when sending a booking request.
The accommodation fee will be charged to your registered credit card when the host accepts your booking.

* You will not be charged if the host declines your booking request or does not confirm your request within 48 hours.

AYes, you can book from one night to a longer term to suit your travel plan.
* Please check the minimum length of stay of each listing.

A① Confirm your email address
From Sign up as a Guest, send your email address and password that you’d like to use with your account.
↓
② User registration
Access the registration form from the URL received by e-mail.
Send your name, birth date, photo, identification document, and other information from the registration page.
↓
③ Verification
We will let you know by email when your identification documents are verified by the NiaHomes Team.
↓
④ Registration completed!
Now you can send a booking request.

Find your ideal homestays by travel dates, destinations, number of guests, languages spoken by host families, house/room features (e.g. traditional Japanese room), and other criteria.

AAll homestays we introduce are private homes taking lodgers, unlike hotels or inns that specialize in lodging guests.

These are five guiding principles for doing a homestay in Japan so that both guests and hosts can have a pleasant experience.

We kindly ask all guests staying through NiaHomes to adhere the following guidelines when making a booking:

We appreciate your understanding and cooperation in respecting the guidelines to preserve harmony within our sustainable homestay community.

Full guidelines: NiaHomes Guest Guidelines

AIf you haven’t received the email from us,

– please check your “Spam Folder”.

– you may have registered an incorrect email address.
　Please check the email address and re-register with the correct one.

– your mailbox may be set to receive emails from registered domains only.
　Please add “niahomes.net” so that you can receive emails from us.

APlease let us know your email address and that you’d like to receive the registration email from Contact Us.

AYou will be able to click the “Send” button after filling in all the required fields and checking the confirmation boxes.

When you keep seeing the error message at the top of the screen after clicking the “Send” button and cannot complete the registration, that may be due to the internet connection (network speed) of your computer or smartphone.

Please try the followings and see if it can be resolved:

– Change to a faster internet connection

– Change your profile photo or ID document to a smaller/lighter one

– If you are using a smartphone, register using your computer

AYour profile photo must be a clear image of yourself.

AYou can register with a photo ID issued by the government of your country:

– Passport
– Driver’s license
– National ID card
– Residence Card [Foreign nationals living in Japan]

* Your ID needs to be printed in the Western alphabet or Japanese characters.

A – When the host accepts your booking request, your photo will become visible on the host’s My Page.
　 (Your photo will not become visible before the host accepts your booking request.)

– When you send your Thank You Letter (review) after checkout, your photo will become visible in the Reviews section on the host’s listing page.

A – The following information will be sent to the host when you send a booking request:

・your nickname
・your full name
・your nationality
・your gender
・registration date
(・your photo after your booking request is accepted)

– When you send your Thank You Letter (review) after checkout, your photo, nickname, and message to the host will become visible in the Reviews section on the host’s listing page.

Any other information that you have sent us at the user registration will not be visible to other users including hosts.

ATo build trust between guests and host families, we must verify all guests before you can send a booking request to your prospective host.

You will be able to log in to your My Page and send a booking request as soon as your account has been verified.

AYou can see your registration information from the navigation menu “Edit Profile” of your My Page.

You can edit your phone number and the language for display and email notifications (English or Japanese).

AWe are sorry, you can’t change your registered email address for account management reasons.

If you prefer to use a different email address at NiaHomes, please create a new account and complete the user registration.

AYes, you can change your login password from “Forget password?” of the login page, or the navigation menu “Change Password” of your My Page.

AYes, you can use the same email address to register both as a guest and a host.

Please note that you need to complete the user registration separately for each account.

APlease contact us from the navigation menu “Contact NiaHomes Team” of your My Page.

AYou can search hosts from the top of the NiaHomes website.
You can filter hosts by travel dates, destinations, number of guests, languages spoken by host families, house/room features (e.g. traditional Japanese room), and other criteria.

Registered guests can also start searching from the navigation menu “Search Host Family”of their My Page.

AA listing page is where you can see a host’s homestay information.
By choosing a guest room, travel dates, and the number of guests, you can send a booking request to the host.

If you have any questions before making a booking, you can send a chat message to the host from Contact Host displayed at the bottom of the listing page.
* “Contact Host” is available to registered guests only.

AWhen you make a booking, you first send a booking request to the host to confirm their availability.

All NiaHomes homestays are private homes taking lodgers, so there may be a case that their availability suddenly changes.
Your booking will be completed when the host accepts your booking request.
* You will not be charged if the host declines your booking request or does not confirm your request within 48 hours.

AYour booking will be completed when the host accepts your booking request.

1) Find your ideal homestays
From the NiaHomes website, search your ideal homestays.
↓
2) Send a booking request
When you find your ideal homestay, send a booking request to the host.

　① Select the room you’d like to stay

　② Check availability on the calendar

　③ Enter the length of stay and number of guests

　④ Confirm reservation details
　　(optional: send a message to the host)

　⑤ Register payment information
　　You can make a payment by credit card.
　　(VISA, Master, or UnionPay)

* Once your booking request is accepted, the accommodation fee will be charged to your registered credit card.
(You will not be charged until the host confirms the booking.)
↓
3) Confirmation by the host
The host confirms whether they are available within 48 hours.

You can review your booking request from the Bookings section of your My Page.

* Your booking request will be canceled automatically if not confirmed within 48 hours.
↓
4) Booking completed!
Your booking will be completed when the host accepts your booking request.

Once your booking request is accepted, the accommodation fee will be charged to your registered credit card.

* You will not be charged if the host declines your booking request or does not confirm your request within 48 hours.

AYou can check it in the Pets section of the host’s listing page.

AThis section shows the languages spoken by the host/family and proficiency for Japanese and English.

AIt is the certification number issued to legal private lodging providers in Japan.

To offer one’s residence as fee-charging accommodation for visitors in Japan, it is necessary to receive certification as a “Private Lodging Business Operator”.

All hosts listed on NiaHomes are registered as Private Lodging Business Operators and we regularly check the validity of their license numbers.

AYou can check it in the Homestay Rules section of the host’s listing page.

AThese are general dos and don’ts for guests at your homestay.

We appreciate your understanding and cooperation in respecting the host’s homestay rules and the NiaHomes Guest Guidelines.

ARoom charges and available (bookable) dates are shown on the calendar of each guest room on the host’s listing page.

NOTE: Guest rooms are charged by the number of people staying, not per room per night.

“Basic Rate” applies to the dates underlined in green, “Seasonal Rate A” in pink, and “Seasonal Rate B” in blue.

(Seasonal Rates A and B appear only when the rates are set by the host.)

Statement of accommodation fee will appear below the price list after choosing the travel dates and the number of guests.

ASome hosts offer a discounted rate for a 7-night stay to charge less for longer stays.

7-night rates apply when a guest makes a booking for more than 7 nights at the same room rate, regardless of whether these nights are consecutive or not.

[Example]

Booking for 10 nights (7 nights of Basic Rate and 3 nights of Seasonal Rate A):
Room charges = Basic Rate (7-night rate x 1) + Seasonal Rate A (1-night rate x 3)

AIt applies to guests ages 13 or older on the day of check-in.

AIt applies to guests ages 3 to 12 on the day of check-in.

* No accommodation fee will be charged for infants under the age of 3 (on the day of check-in).

AYou can check the maximum number of people that each guest room can sleep below the room photo(s).

AIt is the minimum number of nights required to book when making a booking.

There may be different minimum stays set for each guest room.
Please check the information shown below the room photo(s).

AThese are services that the host offers to guests, either free-of-charge or for additional fee, in addition to providing accommodation.

If you wish to use any optional services that the host offers, let your host know from Chat Room of the booking page after the booking is confirmed.

The fees for the charged optional services should be paid directly to the host in cash.
(Online payments through the NiaHomes site are not available.)

AIt is the chat function that you can use to communicate with your host.

Chat room will be available for each booking after you send a booking request.
To open the chat room, click Chat Room at the top of the booking page.

* Chat Room will be closed 4 weeks after checkout or 2 weeks after cancellation.
　Once the Chat Room is closed, it will become view-only.

About Chat Room＞

AHost’s full address will be visible to the guest after booking is confirmed.

You can find the host’s full address in the notification email sent when the booking is confirmed, and also in the Reservation Details.

AYes, you can send your questions or messages to the host from Contact Host displayed at the bottom of the host’s listing page.

* This function is available to registered guests only.

You can continue with the conversation from Chat of your My Page.

AThank You Letter is our review form to be filled in by both guests and hosts on their experiences and submitted within 14 days after checkout.

Guests are requested to send five 5-star ratings about the host (required), message to the host (optional), and comment to the NiaHomes team (optional).

Hosts are requested to send four 5-star ratings about the guest (required), message to the guest (optional), and comment to the NiaHomes team (optional).

Exchanging honest and truthful reviews are an important way to ensure a safe and trustworthy homestay experience through NiaHomes.
We appreciate your cooperation in sending your letter before the due date.

AWe are afraid you cannot change your ratings or comments from your My Page once you send the letter.

Please contact us if you need any assistance.

ATo add a host to your My Favorites of your My Page, click ♡ on the host’s listing page or on the search result page.

* This function is available to registered guests only.

AYou can see details of each booking from Reservations of your My Page.

You can also find the same information in the notification emails.

ADetails of a booking cannot be changed once it is confirmed by host.

To change the length of stay and/or the number of guests, the person (either the guest or host) needs to cancel the booking and the guest has to send another booking request.

Please note that the cancellation fee may be charged for cancellation after the host accepts the booking request and the booking is confirmed.

Please contact us if you need any assistance to change a booking.

AYou can cancel your booking from Reservation Details of your My Page.

AWhen a guest cancels a booking, a cancellation fee will be charged depending on the timing of the cancellation.

〇 There will be no cancellation fee when a guest cancels the booking before the host confirms the booking request.

〇 In the case of cancellation less than 7 days before check-in, the host will receive the cancellation fee, excluding the service fee and consumption tax.

Timing of Cancellation (Japan time)	Cancellation Fee
From confirmation of booking up to 8 days before check-in	Service Fee (including consumption tax)
7 to 2 days before check-in	50% of the Accommodation Fee
1 day before check-in	70% of the Accommodation Fee
On and after the check-in date (including cancellation without notice)	100% of the Accommodation Fee

* “Accommodation Fee” is the total amount paid by the guest, including the room charge, 20% service fee and consumption tax.

* The Service Fee is refundable 1 time per calendar year (from January 1 to December 31 of the same year) if the guest cancels within 48 hours of booking and at least 8 days before check-in.

* Refunds for accommodation fees, excluding cancellation fees and refund fees, will typically be made by the end of the month following the cancellation. Please note that the time it takes for the refunds to arrive in your account depends on your payment method.

AWhen the host cancels your booking, we will refund the full amount of your accommodation fee.

(In the case of cancellation after check-in, we will deduct the amount equivalent to the services already provided and refund the remaining amount of your accommodation fee.)

ARegistration is free of charge for both guests and hosts.

AWhen your booking request is accepted by the host family, you will pay the accommodation fee which includes a 20% service fee and consumption tax.

The accommodation fee includes:
1) Room charge
2) Service fee (20% of the room charge)
3) Consumption tax (10% of the service fee)

You will register your payment information when sending a booking request.
The accommodation fee will be charged to your registered credit card when the host accepts your booking.

* You will not be charged if the host declines your booking request or does not confirm your request within 48 hours.

AWe accept the following credit cards; VISA, Master, and UnionPay.

Once your booking request is accepted, the accommodation fee will be charged to your registeredcredit card.

* You will not be charged if the host declines your booking request or does not confirm your request within 48 hours.

AMost other vacation rental booking sites charge about 15-18% of the amount to be paid to the hosts as a service fee.

As part of the service fee, NiaHomes donates 2% of the accommodation fee to organizations that support the restoration and redevelopment of areas of Japan that have been struck by natural disasters such as earthquakes, tsunamis, or typhoons.

Can I make a contribution to local communities in Japan by staying through NiaHomes? ＞

AThe room charge will be transferred to the bank account registered by the host after checkout.

There are two closing dates a month (15th and last day), and the payment will be made on the next closing day.

Checkout between
The 1st and the 15th days of the month:
Payment will be made on the last day of the same month

The 16th and the last days of the month:
Payment will be made on the 15th day of the following month

ACurrently, those who are over the age of 18 and satisfy both of the following two criteria can sign up as NiaHomes host families:

1) Those who have registered as a “Private Lodging Business Operator”* certified by their local governments
* Under the Private Lodging Business Act

2) Those who offer the accommodation that meets the criteria of the NiaHomes homestay

People who are yet to be registered as a “Private Lodging Business Operator” will be able to post their homestay information on the NiaHomes website only after their certification numbers have been issued.

Please contact us if you are not sure whether the accommodation you offer can be registered on the NiaHomes website.

What is a NiaHomes “homestay”? ＞

AWe are afraid you do not meet the criteria to register as a NiaHomes host family. NiaHomes exclusively offers “homestay” experiences where guests can interact with host families on a daily basis.

Please contact us if you are not sure whether the accommodation you offer can be registered on the NiaHomes website.

AAt present, NiaHomes is not certified to list common lodging houses (kan-i syukusho) certified by the Inns and Hotels Act, or private lodgings certified under the National Strategic Special Zone Act (Tokku minpaku) on its website.

Please contact us if you would like to inquire about our future plans.

ARegistration is free of charge for host families.
There is no charge for you to register as a host family or to post your homestay information on the NiaHomes website, nor will you be charged when you receive the payment.

Guests will pay the accommodation fee which includes the room charge, and a 20% service fee and consumption tax for the service fee to be paid to NiaHomes.

For further information about the payment made by guests:
Is there a handling charge? ＞

AYes, you can select “one night” as the minimum length of stay.

AYou can decide whether or not to offer meals to your guests.
You can choose not to provide meals, or to appeal to more guests, you can add “Optional Services” to your homestay information, such as a cooking lesson that you prepare a meal with your guests.

* To offer meals to your guests, it may be necessary to obtain permission in accordance with the Food Sanitation Act.
　Please consult with your local healthcare center for further information.

AIt’s not necessary to be fluent in English or Japanese!
All that is required of you is a willingness to extend a warm welcome to guests and a desire to interact with them. It is usually sufficient to communicate using some English/Japanese words, simple sentences, or gestures.

It can be helpful to use translation apps on your smartphone or a translation device. You may even find that you have similar interests or hobbies to your guests!

AThe host’s full address will only be revealed to guests after the booking is confirmed.

On the NiaHomes website, the host’s listing page will only display a map with a rough indication of the accommodation location within a large circle.
The general location will be accompanied by details about the time it takes to get there from the nearest station (e.g. XX minutes on foot).

AYes, when registering as a guest, submission of an identification document is required, which must then be verified by the NiaHomes Team.
Only verified guests can make a booking through NiaHomes.

A ① Confirm your email address
From Sign up as a Host, send your email address, password that you’d like to use, and whether you are already registered as a “Private Lodging Business Operator”.
↓
② User registration
Access the registration page from the URL received by e-mail.

Send your user information, such as your name, birth date, home address, and upload photos/images of the following:

・your identification document

・a notification document displaying your “Private Lodging Business Operator” number
　* If you are already registered
↓
③ Verification
We will let you know by email when your identification documents are verified by the NiaHomes Team.

* If you are yet to be registered as a “Private Lodging Business Operator”, you must apply for a Private Lodging certification number before you will be able to complete the registration.
↓
④ Complete your listing information
From Registration of your My Page, complete your listing information, including your listing title and room charges.

The NiaHomes team will then verify your listing information.

Your listing page will be published on the NiaHomes website when your listing information has been verified.
↓
⑤ Update your Room Calendar
From Guest Rooms of your My Page, update the Room Calendar for your guest room(s) to set “Available” dates to accept bookings.

Guests can now start booking your homestay!

AThese are three guiding principles that all host families should observe when hosting guests through NiaHomes.

We ask all hosts using the NiaHomes services to adhere these guidelines when registering as a host family.

Full guidelines: NiaHomes Host Family Guidelines

　　　　

AIf you haven’t received the email from us,

– please check your “Spam Folder”.

– you may have registered an incorrect email address.
　Please check the email address and re-register with the correct one.

– your mailbox may be set to receive emails from registered domains only.
　Please add “niahomes.net” so that you can receive emails from us.

APlease let us know your email address and that you’d like to receive the registration email from Contact Us.

AYou will be able to click the “Send” button after filling in all the required fields and checking the confirmation boxes.

When you keep seeing the error message at the top of the screen after clicking the “Send” button and cannot complete the registration, that may be due to the internet connection (network speed) of your computer or smartphone.

Please try the followings and see if it can be resolved:

– Change to a faster internet connection

– Change the images to upload, such as your profile photo, to a smaller/lighter one

– If you are using a smartphone, register using your computer

AYour profile photo must be a clear image of yourself.

AYou can register with a photo ID issued by the government of your country:

– Passport
– Driver’s license
– National ID card
– Residence Card [Foreign nationals living in Japan]

* Your ID needs to be printed in the Western alphabet or Japanese characters.

AThis means an official document/email that has your name, home address, and Private Lodging Business Operator number.

Please upload the photo or scanned file of that document for verification.

ATo build trust between host families and guests, we must verify all hosts before you can accept bookings from guests through NiaHomes.

We will let you know by email when your identification documents are verified by the NiaHomes Team.
You will then be able to log in to your My Page and complete your listing information.

A① Post accurate, up-to-date information that the guests need
It is important that information posted on your listing page, such as information on using guest rooms and facilities used by guests, points to note (for example, steps on road from closest station), and house rules etc. is accurate, up-to-date, and encompass all the information needed by the guests.

If the explanation is insufficient or the information is easily misunderstood, this can lead to problems. Register your listing page that considers the situation when guests actually stay.

② Post hobbies and interests of you and your family and the attractions of the local area
Guests want to interact with the host family and experience Japanese local lifestyles and culture.

It is highly recommended to post information about yourself and your family, such as interests and hobbies, and local information that is not found in the guidebook.

③ Photos are of particular importance when appealing to guests!
Many guests will choose where they stay by looking at photos that attract them to the place.

Appeal using attractive photos that will make more guests want to stay with you for a homestay, such as photos of you and your family with your best smiles, photos of your clean home, and recommended spots in the local area.

You do not need an expensive camera, and you can take really attractive pictures using your smartphone!

How can I take photos that will appeal to my guests? ＞

AIt is not necessary to have an expensive camera. You can take appealing photos just with your smartphone!

① The most important thing is the smiles of the host family!
Guests are always interested to know about the host family who they would be staying with.
Photos of a friendly host family with kind smiles are the best thing for attracting guests.
Ask the person who can take a photo for you to take the best shot of your family as a whole.

② Take photos during the daytime
The best photos are bright pictures using natural light or the light of the room, without requiring a flash.
If these are too bright, adjust the brightness using curtains or blinds.

③ Make sure the camera is straight
Set the camera horizontally so the screen is not at a tilt.
If you can use the “grid” (auxiliary lines perpendicularly dividing the screen vertically and horizontally), this will be helpful in lining up the walls and furniture in parallel.

④ Take unique photos that communicate the individuality of the host
What are the points recommending you or your family?
Take pictures of things that would recommend your home in an easy to understand way, such as your home garden or figure collection, or an event or activity that they can experience while staying at your home.

⑤ We recommend landscape photos
Generally, landscape photos are better than portrait photos for expressing the breadth of the room.
If you are undecided whether to use take portrait or landscape photos, we would generally suggest taking landscape photos.

⑥ The picture should be of a large size
If the size of the picture is too small, the image may be too rough, and difficult to see.
The standard is 1024 pixels horizontally x 768 pixels vertically.
Try publishing them on your listing page, and if they appear blurred, change them for a larger photo.

AAs a host, you decide the room charges you’d like to set for each room.

* Room Charges = Amount that the host will receive

Guests will pay the accommodation fee which includes the room charge that you have set, and a 20% service fee and consumption tax for the service fee to be paid to NiaHomes.

There is no transfer fee deducted when hosts receive the payout.

AYou can set room charges for 1) adults and children; and 2) 1 night and 7 nights.

* Guest rooms are charged by the number of people staying, not per room per night.

1) Charges for adults and children
Different prices apply to the registered guest (adult), additional guests (adults), and additional guests (children).

・Adults: ages 13 or older on the day of check-in
・Children: ages 3 to 12 on the day of check-in

* No accommodation fee will be charged for infants under the age of 3 on the day of check-in.

2) Charges for 1 night and 7 nights
There are Nightly charges for a 1 night stay and Weekly charges for a 7 night stay.

Recommended Weekly charges: (Nightly charge x 7 nights) x 90-95%
* It is not mandatory to make a discount. Please set the prices you prefer.

Weekly charges apply when a guest makes a booking for more than 7 nights at the same room rate, regardless of whether these nights are consecutive or not.

ABasic rate is the prices that must be set for each guest room.

In addition to the Basic Rate, you can set the Seasonal Rate A and B when you want to raise or lower the room charges on a specific day, day of the week, or period.

* It is not mandatory to use Seasonal Rate A or B.

AThese are facilities, equipment, and amenities that guests can exclusively use or share with the host family outside of the guest room.
Register the ones available at your home.

* Please note that towels and bed sheets are essential amenities that need to be provided for each guest.

Examples of facilities:
Living room, Kitchen, Bathroom, Garden, Parking space

Examples of equipment:
Refrigerator, Microwave, Toaster, Laundry / Dryer machine, TV, Hair dryer, Clothes iron

Examples of amenities:
Shampoo, Hair conditioner, Soap / Body wash

AThese are general dos and don’ts for guests at your homestay.

We ask all guests staying through OneHomes to adhere the “Guidelines for NiaHomes Guests” when making a booking.

You can add other rules/guidelines from the Listing Information of your My Page.

Examples of homestay rules:
– Smoking prohibited (indoors)
– Smoking prohibited (both indoors and outdoors)
– No pets allowed
– Please keep quiet after 10pm
– Feel free to use the kitchen but please clean up after use

AThese are services that you can offer your guests, either free-of-charge or for additional fee, in addition to providing accommodation.
(Registration of optional services is not mandatory.)

The fees for the fee-charging optional services should be set by the host.
Guests will pay the fee directly to the host in cash.
(Online payments through the NiaHomes site are not available.)

Examples of optional services:
– Pick up/Drop off at the nearest station
– Baggage storage before check-in
– Baggage storage after checkout
– Begging for an infant under age 2
– Laundry (once during stay)
– Laundry (multiple times during stay)
– Japanese cooking lesson
– Japanese language lesson
– Kimono/Yukata dressing

AThis is a function of your My Page to set days that you want to accept guests at your home.
Guests will be able to start booking your homestay after you update the Room Calendar.

For further instructions, please refer to the navigation menu “How to use My Page” of your My Page.

AYou can see your registration information from navigation menu “Edit Listing Information”.

AThe room charge will be transferred to the bank account registered by the host after checkout.

There are two closing dates a month (15th and last day), and the payment will be made on the next closing day.

Checkout between
The 1st and the 15th days of the month:
Payment will be made on the last day of the same month

The 16th and the last days of the month:
Payment will be made on the 15th day of the following month

* The time it takes for the funds to arrive in your account depends on your payout method.

AYes, you can change the information of your bank account from Edit Listing Information > ⑦ Bank details of your My Page.

* Account holder must be the same person as the host registering with NiaHomes.

* Please note that the host must bear the costs if any refund fees are incurred due to incorrect bank details.

AWhen a guest books your homestay, you will receive an email notification.
You will also see a notification at the top of your My Page.

Click the notification and confirm the details of the booking request.
(The guest’s profile photo will become visible after you accept the request.)

Select either “Accept” or “Decline” within 48 hours of receipt.

○ Accept a booking request
When you accept a booking request within 48 hours of receipt, the booking will be deemed “confirmed”.

The guest’s profile photo will then become visible on the booking page.
Your guest will receive your full address.

Contact your guests from Chat Room of the booking page to give them directions to your home or confirm their arrival time.

○ Decline a booking request
You can decline a booking request if you become unavailable for the requested period, or if you feel uncomfortable with the guest or reservation details.

Choose the reason why you are not able to accept this booking request within 48 hours of receipt.

Guests will be notified that their booking request has not been accepted, but the reason for declining the request will not be disclosed.

* The booking request will be canceled if not confirmed within 48 hours of receipt.

AWhen you accept a booking request within 48 hours of receipt, the booking will be deemed “confirmed”.

The guest’s profile photo will then become visible on the booking page.
Your guest will receive your full address.

Contact your guests from Chat Room of the booking page to give them directions to your home or confirm their arrival time.

AYou can decline a booking request if you become unavailable for the requested period, or if you feel uncomfortable with the guest or reservation details.

Choose the reason why you are not able to accept this booking request within 48 hours of receipt.
Guests will be notified that their booking request has not been accepted, but the reason for declining the request will not be disclosed.

【 NOTE 】
If you would not like to receive further booking requests for the same period, please set these dates as “Unavailable” on the Room Calendar from Guest Rooms.

AYou can communicate with the guest from Chat Room of this booking page.

Please use Chat Room to confirm their check-in time, give them detailed directions to your home, or simply say hi to them!

AConfirm their arrival time, if they want to use any optional services that you offer, and if there are anything they want you to be aware of (such as allergies).

Also, give them detailed directions to your home and anything that they should be aware of (such as a detour if there are stairs on the way to your home).

ABe sure to make your home sparkle, especially the guest room(s) and shared facilities like the bathroom and toilet.

Also, prepare laundered bed sheets and towels for each guest, and make sure to restock amenities such as toilet paper or shampoo.

AThank You Letter is our review form to be filled in by both hosts and guests on their experiences and submitted within 14 days after checkout.

Hosts are requested to send four 5-star ratings about the guest (required), message to the guest (optional), and comment to the NiaHomes team (optional).

Guests are requested to send five 5-star ratings about the host (required), message to the host (optional), and comment to the NiaHomes team (optional).

Exchanging honest and truthful reviews are an important way to ensure a safe and trustworthy homestay experience through NiaHomes.
We appreciate your cooperation in sending your letter before the due date.

AGuest Book is the function on a host’s listing page where the host can post photos of their guests.

Hosts can post the photos of their guests or the ones they took together in their Guest Book sections if they have been given approval to do so.

AYou can check whether they have given permission or not in their Thank You Letter that you would receive after checkout.

AGuests schedule their trips according to the booking accepted by the host.
It is important for you to note that you should decide to cancel a confirmed booking only when unavoidable circumstances arise.

If you need to cancel a confirmed booking, please contact us from the navigation menu “Contact NiaHomes Team” of your My Page.

* A penalty may be charged depending on the reason for cancellation or the number of previous cancellations of the host.

If there is a penalty, the following amount will be deducted from the host’s first payout after the cancellation (If the amount to be received is less than the penalty, the balance of the penalty will be deducted from the next payout thereafter).

Timing of Cancellation (Japan time)	Penalty
From confirmation of booking up to 8 days before check-in	3,000 Yen
Less than 7 days before check-in	7,000 Yen

AIf you want to hide a certain guest room from your listing page, you can unlist (deactivate) the room by clicking “Unlist This Room” displayed at the bottom of the Guest Rooms.

When you want to reactivate the guest room that you have unlisted, click “Reactivate This Room” displayed at the bottom of the Guest Rooms.

AIf you want to hide the entire listing page from the NiaHomes site, please contact us from the navigation menu “Contact NiaHomes Team” of your My Page.

AWe are sorry, you can’t change your registered email address for account management reasons.

If you prefer to use a different email address at NiaHomes, please create a new account and complete the user registration.

AYes, you can change your login password from “Forget password?” of the login page, or the navigation menu “Change Password” of your My Page.

AYes, you can use the same email address to register both as a host and a guest.

Please note that you need to complete the user registration separately for each account.

APlease contact us from the navigation menu “Contact NiaHomes Team” of your My Page.

AAll of the information and documents submitted to NiaHomes by guests and hosts is securely stored and handled in accordance with the privacy statement set by Senlimo Inc, company operating NiaHomes.

We are fully aware of the importance of personal information, and will not provide this information to any other third party beyond the scope set in the privacy statement and without consent of our users.

For requests, inquiries, or complaints regarding our privacy statement, please contact us.