Yujiro Hamada, 77, is typical of a rising number of middle-aged and elderly Japanese who have rejected more common overseas package tours in favor of extended stays abroad.

People in their late 50s and older are increasingly interested in staying with host families while doing volunteer work or studying the local language, according to travel agents.

Hamada, from Ashikaga, Tochigi Prefecture, stayed with a host family for three weeks on his trip to New Zealand in winter 1999.