What to ask someone in Japan before your trip
Bring one place you plan to visit and ask for a personal memory linked to that kind of place. A conversation can give you a reason to notice things the itinerary doesn’t mention.
Plan a conversation about everyday life in JapanBring an observation and ask for their version
If you plan to visit a covered shopping street, ask “Was there a shop you went to after school?” Then share the shop or street you remember at home. Your host may live nowhere near the place on your itinerary; let them tell you about their area.
Separate a story from travel logistics
Ask how they spend a rainy afternoon or what they miss from a neighborhood they left. Write down place names with the spelling they give you. Verify opening hours, transport and prices separately; an old memory can be a great story and still be out of date.