Why Okinawa's Popular School Trip Homestay, Izena Island, is Chosen by Schools Nationwide

Do you think that the experience of staying in a private home is the same no matter where you go?

But in reality, school teachers are quite serious about choosing where to stay. In this context, Izena Island is now a destination for private accommodation that is slowly gaining popularity in Okinawa. It's not a tourist destination, nor is it extremely accessible.

Schools from all over the country have told us they are "happy here" and "would like to go back." There is a good reason for that.

A warm and comfortable island with just the right distance from people.

The reason why the private accommodations on Izena Island are so popular is because of the exquisite "ease of building relationships with people. The hosts are very kind, but they do not come on too strong from the beginning. They gently watch the students and talk to them when the time is right. This natural distance makes them feel at ease, and before you know it, you find yourself smiling more and more. Even students who are not good at socializing can feel comfortable opening up to others on Izena Island.

It was fun to try it! Success stories" push students to try new things.

Even students who were a little nervous at first, naturally encountered "I got it! moments. When the hosts say, "Thank you," or "You were very helpful," it leaves them with the feeling that they have helped someone.
This small experience of success builds the students' confidence. This is an important element of the educational tour as an overnight stay, and the reason why Izena Island supports it so well.

Because the cultural experience is "real," it comes easily to the mind.

The cultural experiences on Izena Island are not so-called "for sightseeing. The sound of the sanshin (Okinawan guitar) and the local cuisine are part of the local way of life. That is why there is no feeling of being forced to do something. For example, an old man who plays the sanshin might tell you, "We used to play this at island celebrations. Because there is a "story" in the experience, the students can easily understand it.

There are not many experiences that make me want to go back.

After the overnight stay on Izena Island, students often say, "I want to go back," and "Next time, I want to come back with my family.

I think this is not only because it was a fun trip, but also because I feel like I 'found my place in the world. You make connections with people, someone is pleased with what you did, and all of this leads to "I want to see you again. There are not many experiences like that. That is why Izena Island continues to be chosen.