I am considering a homestay in Japan. What is the most reliable website/service to find one?

Question:

In November I'm hoping to take my trip to Japan (although I have yet to decide on the area). I'm wanting to do this through a homestay program, and was wondering what website or service is the best to go about this. Any suggestions/websites/tips/help?

Answer:

All the ones I have heard about are sponsored by schools. Not saying that other sources don't exist, just that those are the ones I've heard about. Have you tried talking to your school counselor about any programs? If you aren't in school, I don't know of, and haven't heard of, adult programs.

EDIT: Not saying that such doesn't exist, just that I have never heard of them. I've seen homestay websites with listings for the U.S. and they always involve money. I would be surprised if there were Japanese people willing to open up their homes to a stranger simply for some extra cash. We took in a homestay student but the girl came from a school in Australia that is the sister-school for my daughter's high school. Thus the exchange program. I think the cheapest way for you to go is either stay in a hostel or a gaijin house where you have your own private bedroom but share a common living area with other guests. If you are interested in the latter, Google "Sakura House in Tokyo" for a start.