Hi everyone,
One of the most inspiring things about the Airbnb Superhost community is hearing you share your stories—stories about how you got started hosting, your favorite connections with guests, your unique ideas for delivering meaningful hospitality. We loved hearing how Superhosts Tsuneto-san and Akiko-san fell in love with hosting and think you will too!
After retiring from internal medicine, the last thing Tsuneto-san expected to do was start a second career.
“It actually wasn’t my idea,” Tsuneto-san jokes. “Four years ago, my son picked up hitchhikers and dropped them off at my house. They came out of nowhere, but we didn’t think twice and made dinner for everyone. It was a truly wonderful experience.”
Soon after, Tsuneto-san and his wife, Akiko-san, decided to start hosting on Airbnb. “Our first few guests were fantastic people, and we couldn’t stop hosting.” Within a year, Tsuneto-san and his wife, Akiko-san, became Superhosts, earning a glowing review from virtually every guest. One guest writes: “They went above and beyond to make us welcome—so much so that I feel like I have left family behind.”
Tsuneto-san and Akiko-san have since maintained Superhost status for thirteen consecutive quarters. The key to their success? The past.
“As a physician, I would always strive to be kind to others,” Tsuneto-san says. “Raising a family, I would make sure everyone was happy and healthy. Now, we treat travelers as if they are our children or grandchildren.”
Having lived in Japan from World War II to 2018, Tsuneto-san says the hardest part about hosting is speaking English. But when it comes to making people feel welcome, a language barrier is no barrier after all.
“Hosting requires hospitality, not English skill. You can host, and see the world, and make a positive impact on the world, no matter what language you speak.”
Have your own story to tell? We can’t wait to read about your hosting journey. Share your thoughts and get to know your fellow hosts in the thread below.
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Thank you for the last 7 years, find out more in my Personal Update.
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