Close

Projects in backpack

No projects chosen yet
All countries
What do you want to work with?


Language spoken


Length of stay


Japan Japan: Maki (NICE-24L-MK08)

Dates

01/06/2024   -   06/10/2024

Feedback from 47 volunteers

Tags

Agricultural
Environmental
Social
2
Place(s)
left

Fee

USD 863 i Fee is paid in two installments:

USD 400 to be paid now.
JPY 72000 is to be paid after acceptance.

Note: Total fee can vary depending on bank rates.
Close

Details on the project

Age
18 - 99
Max number of volunteers
2
Still room for
2
Languages
English
Nearest airport
 
Nearest bus/train station
The nearest airport is Tokyo (NRT or HND) from which it takes 7 hours to the project by train and bus. However, volunteers need to join On Arrival (in Yokohama for MK06-09, 13-14 and Osaka for MK01-05, 10-12, 15) and Evaluation Seminars (in Yokohama for MK01, 03, 05, 07, 09, 10, 12, 14, 15 and Osaka for MK02, 04, 06, 08, 11, 13), so firstly should arrive at/ leave NRT or HND if the seminar is in Yokohama and KIX if it is in Osaka, by 08:00 on the starting day and can leave there after 18:00 on the ending day.
Map

Work

Volunteers mainly work for organic agriculture (cultivation, seeding, weeding, harvesting, taking care of goats, cows and chicken, making their feeds) and also carrying the things from the town to Maki, renovating the houses and trails on the way, constructing a hut, helping the house works especially cooking, etc. It's important and necessary to actively join the daily meeting and actively share the collective life. Be ready to work for quite a long time (05:30-18:00 with some brakes) and hard. It'd be surely good exercise to make your body more healthy!

Accomodation and food

Volunteers will live in the main house that is a very beautiful cultural heritage and equips the basic facilities such as water, electricity, kitchen, toilets and a bath room! Single room can be provided. They will have meals, meetings and social life with Kyodo Gakusha members. Meals will be cooked by volunteers together with the members by turns. Sleeping bag is not necessary. There is limited wifi.

Location and leisure

Maki is located in the beautiful place near ÔÇ£Japanese Northern AlpsÔÇØ, at about 900 meters asl. and there is something remained here that most of Japanese areas have lost in modernization. Exchange program, Excursion on a free day (possibly to Hakuba, a famous tourism spot), etc.

Project hosted by

This project is actively working for SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDGs 10 (Reduced Inequalities), organized together with Kyodo Gakusha since 2000, a cooperative community where people with various backgrounds such as mentally disadvantaged, people who are tired of city life, who want to learn farming, who want to live in the nature, etc. They have 5 communities in Japan incl. Maki and Tateya and grow animals and vegetables in ecological, organic way.
Maki is located in a very isolated area (not accessible for cars and we have to walk 4 km in the mountains!), so it once became an abandon village in 1970s and then, was revived by Kyodo Gakusha. Over 10 people incl. 2 families were living till several years ago, but less and less in these years (almost nobody in the winter), so vols. are needed even more!
*Outcome of this workcamp: In 2023, we had 4 short term workcamps and 1 LMTV project with 13 vols. who greatly contributed to their protecting the houses, farming and caring animals that was difficult to finish by the time they needed without volunteers! See the long-term goal of this project as Local SDGs made by the previous project leader at https://www.slideshare.net/nice-workcamp/2019-ep3-188767935 (only in Japanese, sorry, but you can still enjoy the pictures!)

Additional comments

Similar type of communities in each country and their networking

Requirements

Motivation letter is needed! Volunteers need to have some Japanese speaking skill (manage to have basic daily conversation) and high motivation and patience to keep hard, long and important work in the very isolated, natural place, to respect the way of the local host and to learn and speak Japanese language is needed. No special skills nor experiences are needed.

18,000 JPY (110 EUR by the rate on 2023 Nov. 18th) per month till the 3rd month and 9,000 JPY per month from the 4th month of "NICE Volunteers" fee need to be paid in advance either by Card or PayPal. This is used for the project preparation/ coordination such as the transportation of the camp leaders while the meals and the accommodation are provided by the local host by free. Odd days are counted as one month (e.g., 170 days are counted as 6 months).

Sustainable Development Goals

Zero Hunger Reduced Inequalities
Japan Japan: Maki (NICE-24L-MK09)

Dates

01/06/2024   -   17/11/2024

Feedback from 47 volunteers

Tags

Agricultural
Environmental
Social
2
Place(s)
left

Fee

USD 921 i Fee is paid in two installments:

USD 400 to be paid now.
JPY 81000 is to be paid after acceptance.

Note: Total fee can vary depending on bank rates.
Close

Details on the project

Age
18 - 99
Max number of volunteers
2
Still room for
2
Languages
English
Nearest airport
 
Nearest bus/train station
The nearest airport is Tokyo (NRT or HND) from which it takes 7 hours to the project by train and bus. However, volunteers need to join On Arrival (in Yokohama for MK06-09, 13-14 and Osaka for MK01-05, 10-12, 15) and Evaluation Seminars (in Yokohama for MK01, 03, 05, 07, 09, 10, 12, 14, 15 and Osaka for MK02, 04, 06, 08, 11, 13), so firstly should arrive at/ leave NRT or HND if the seminar is in Yokohama and KIX if it is in Osaka, by 08:00 on the starting day and can leave there after 18:00 on the ending day.
Map

Work

Volunteers mainly work for organic agriculture (cultivation, seeding, weeding, harvesting, taking care of goats, cows and chicken, making their feeds) and also carrying the things from the town to Maki, renovating the houses and trails on the way, constructing a hut, helping the house works especially cooking, etc. It's important and necessary to actively join the daily meeting and actively share the collective life. Be ready to work for quite a long time (05:30-18:00 with some brakes) and hard. It'd be surely good exercise to make your body more healthy!

Accomodation and food

Volunteers will live in the main house that is a very beautiful cultural heritage and equips the basic facilities such as water, electricity, kitchen, toilets and a bath room! Single room can be provided. They will have meals, meetings and social life with Kyodo Gakusha members. Meals will be cooked by volunteers together with the members by turns. Sleeping bag is not necessary. There is limited wifi.

Location and leisure

Maki is located in the beautiful place near ÔÇ£Japanese Northern AlpsÔÇØ, at about 900 meters asl. and there is something remained here that most of Japanese areas have lost in modernization. Exchange program, Excursion on a free day (possibly to Hakuba, a famous tourism spot), etc.

Project hosted by

This project is actively working for SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDGs 10 (Reduced Inequalities), organized together with Kyodo Gakusha since 2000, a cooperative community where people with various backgrounds such as mentally disadvantaged, people who are tired of city life, who want to learn farming, who want to live in the nature, etc. They have 5 communities in Japan incl. Maki and Tateya and grow animals and vegetables in ecological, organic way.
Maki is located in a very isolated area (not accessible for cars and we have to walk 4 km in the mountains!), so it once became an abandon village in 1970s and then, was revived by Kyodo Gakusha. Over 10 people incl. 2 families were living till several years ago, but less and less in these years (almost nobody in the winter), so vols. are needed even more!
*Outcome of this workcamp: In 2023, we had 4 short term workcamps and 1 LMTV project with 13 vols. who greatly contributed to their protecting the houses, farming and caring animals that was difficult to finish by the time they needed without volunteers! See the long-term goal of this project as Local SDGs made by the previous project leader at https://www.slideshare.net/nice-workcamp/2019-ep3-188767935 (only in Japanese, sorry, but you can still enjoy the pictures!)

Additional comments

Similar type of communities in each country and their networking

Requirements

Motivation letter is needed! Volunteers need to have some Japanese speaking skill (manage to have basic daily conversation) and high motivation and patience to keep hard, long and important work in the very isolated, natural place, to respect the way of the local host and to learn and speak Japanese language is needed. No special skills nor experiences are needed.

18,000 JPY (110 EUR by the rate on 2023 Nov. 18th) per month till the 3rd month and 9,000 JPY per month from the 4th month of "NICE Volunteers" fee need to be paid in advance either by Card or PayPal. This is used for the project preparation/ coordination such as the transportation of the camp leaders while the meals and the accommodation are provided by the local host by free. Odd days are counted as one month (e.g., 170 days are counted as 6 months).

Sustainable Development Goals

Zero Hunger Reduced Inequalities
Japan Japan: Tateya (NICE-24L-TT07)

Dates

01/06/2024   -   06/10/2024

Feedback from 47 volunteers

Tags

Agricultural
Manual Work
Social

Fee

USD 863 i Fee is paid in two installments:

USD 400 to be paid now.
JPY 72000 is to be paid after acceptance.

Note: Total fee can vary depending on bank rates.
Close

Details on the project

Age
18 - 99
Max number of volunteers
5
Still room for
2 Male + 2 Female
Languages
English
Nearest airport
 
Nearest bus/train station
The nearest airport is Tokyo (NRT or HND) from which it takes 7 hours to the project by train and bus. However, volunteers need to join On Arrival (in Yokohama for TT05-07, 10 and Osaka for TT01-04, 08-09) and Evaluation Seminars (in Yokohama for TT01, 03, 06, 08 and Osaka for TT02, 04, 05, 07, 09, 10), so firstly should arrive at/ leave NRT or HND if the seminar is in Yokohama and KIX if it is in Osaka, by 08:00 on the starting day and can leave there after 18:00 on the ending day.
Map

Work

Volunteers will help their organic farm (harvesting/ threshing rice, planting vegetables, taking care of animals, etc.) and their house work especially cooking. Volunteers will also carry the things in the mountain to the Maki farm and harvest rice there. Be ready to work for quite a long time (05:30-18:00 with some brakes) and hard. It'd be surely good exercise to make your body more healthy!

Accomodation and food

Shared room in the building for the volunteers and a few members, 5 min. walk from the farm. Meals will be cooked by volunteers together with the community people by turns. Sleeping bag is not necessary. There is limited Wifi.

Location and leisure

Otari village is a small village located in the region of stunning natural beauty in the northern part of Nagano Prefecture, Japan. It is beautiful village near ÔÇ£Japanese Northern AlpsÔÇØ. It takes 40-50 min. by foot from Minami-Otari, the nearest train station. Exchange program, Excursion on a free day (possibly to Hakuba, a famous tourism spot), etc.

Project hosted by

This project is actively working for SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDGs 10 (Reduced Inequalities), organized together with Kyodo Gakusha since 2015, a cooperative community where about people with various backgrounds such as mentally disadvantaged, people who are tired of city life, who wants to learn farming, just want to live in the nature, etc. They have 5 communities in Tokyo, Nagano and Hokkaido and grow animals and vegetables in ecological, organic way with utilizing bacterium and charcoal. Tateya Farm has 40 members and NICE started LMTV projects here since 2014. NICE also organizes workcamps and LMTV projects in Maki and Shintoku farms of Kyodo Gakusha.
*Outcome of this workcamp: In 2023, 1 mid term volunteer for 2 months greatly contributed to harvest rice which was difficult to finish by the time they needed without volunteers! There was also nice exchange between Community people and vols. through Yoga and Mindfulness. Please see the presentation of the camp leader for the IVS contest in Japan https://www.slideshare.net/nice-workcamp/e4-54764427 (only Japanese for the moment, but you can at least enjoy the pictures!)

Additional comments

Similar type of communities in each country and their networking

Requirements

Motivation letter is needed. Volunteers need to have good level of speaking for the daily conversations of English or Japaneseand and high motivation and patience to keep the hard, long and important work in the natural place, to respect the way of the local host and to learn and speak Japanese language is needed. No special skills nor experiences are needed.

Japan Japan: Aizu Wakamatsu (NICE-24L-AI06)

Dates

01/06/2024   -   16/11/2024

Feedback from 47 volunteers

Tags

Social
2
Place(s)
left

Fee

USD 921 i Fee is paid in two installments:

USD 400 to be paid now.
JPY 81000 is to be paid after acceptance.

Note: Total fee can vary depending on bank rates.
Close

Details on the project

Age
18 - 99
Max number of volunteers
2
Still room for
2
Languages
English
Nearest airport
 
Nearest bus/train station
The nearest airport is Tokyo (NRT or HND) from which it takes 5 hours by train and bus to the meeting point in Fukushima pref. Volunteers need to join On Arrival and Evaluation Seminars in Yokohama, so firstly should arrive at Tokyo airport by 08:00 on the starting day and can leave Tokyo airport after 18:00 on the ending day.
Map

Work

Volunteers will support to prepare, run and follow up the Kodomo Shokudo (Children's cafeteria) that provides meals for free or at a low price to the children including those in the low income families. It also provides the assist the homework and the subject learning for about 15 primary and junior high school students, so the volunteers will help their homework and crafts as well as cook the lunch and dinner together. Thus, they will also assist the activities with out-of-school children (e.g. supporting children, organizing event).

Accomodation and food

Shared rooms in accommodation owned by the organization. It is different place with activity place. Men and women separated room. Cooking by yourself. Staffs also stay at the facility. No wifi in the accommodation (but there is wifi in activity place).

Location and leisure

Aizu Wakamatsu city is called Samurai city. It is located in the eastern part of the Aizu region of Fukushima prefecture. It is the central city of Aizu region, surrounded by rich nature, including Mt. Bandai and Lake Inawashiro and blessed with natural scenery. The organization is located in an area with an atmosphere of Taisho era Romanticism. Winter season (Dec.-Mar.) is quite cold, so vols. need to bring warm cloths. Join the local events, many opportunities to learn the local wisdom, etc. Sightseeing, short trip (hot springs, castle, famous places here).

Project hosted by

This project is actively working for SDGs 1 (no poverty) and SDGs 4 (Quality Education), organized together with a local NPO, Terakoya Hojosha that aims to create a diverse learning environment that places children at the center and aims to promote children's participation in society. Their mission is to support 'Children's participation in society' and create a happy future for children. A characteristic of the learning at Terakoya Hojosya is that it attends to children's interests. The aim to create a happy future with children, each and every one of whom is important. In their all projects, it is importance on approving and affirming children and fostering a sense of self-affirmation, which is the children's energy, through their connections with others.

Additional comments

Volunteers will get knowledge of alternative school, children's social participation, child poverty in Japan.

Requirements

Motivation letter is needed! Volunteers need to have some Japanese speaking skill (manage to have basic daily conversation), respect to the local culture and way of the local organization, positive attitude to communicate with children, being Interested alternative school, children's social patriation and child poverty, high motivation to work hard, open mind, cooperation with others.
18,000 JPY (110 EUR by the rate on 2023 Nov. 18th) per month till the 3rd month and 9,000 JPY per month from the 4th month of "NICE Volunteers" fee need to be paid in advance either by Card or PayPal. This is used for the project preparation/ coordination such as the transportation of the camp leaders while the meals and the accommodation are provided by the local host by free. Odd days are counted as one month (e.g., 170 days are counted as 6 months).

Sustainable Development Goals

No Poverty Quality Education
Japan Japan: Aizu Wakamatsu (NICE-24L-AI07)

Dates

01/06/2024   -   09/02/2025

Feedback from 47 volunteers

Tags

Social
2
Place(s)
left

Fee

USD 1094 i Fee is paid in two installments:

USD 400 to be paid now.
JPY 108000 is to be paid after acceptance.

Note: Total fee can vary depending on bank rates.
Close

Details on the project

Age
18 - 99
Max number of volunteers
2
Still room for
2
Languages
English
Nearest airport
 
Nearest bus/train station
The nearest airport is Tokyo (NRT or HND) from which it takes 5 hours by train and bus to the meeting point in Fukushima pref. Volunteers need to join On Arrival and Evaluation Seminars in Yokohama, so firstly should arrive at Tokyo airport by 08:00 on the starting day and can leave Tokyo airport after 18:00 on the ending day.
Map

Work

Volunteers will support to prepare, run and follow up the Kodomo Shokudo (Children's cafeteria) that provides meals for free or at a low price to the children including those in the low income families. It also provides the assist the homework and the subject learning for about 15 primary and junior high school students, so the volunteers will help their homework and crafts as well as cook the lunch and dinner together. Thus, they will also assist the activities with out-of-school children (e.g. supporting children, organizing event).

Accomodation and food

Shared rooms in accommodation owned by the organization. It is different place with activity place. Men and women separated room. Cooking by yourself. Staffs also stay at the facility. No wifi in the accommodation (but there is wifi in activity place).

Location and leisure

Aizu Wakamatsu city is called Samurai city. It is located in the eastern part of the Aizu region of Fukushima prefecture. It is the central city of Aizu region, surrounded by rich nature, including Mt. Bandai and Lake Inawashiro and blessed with natural scenery. The organization is located in an area with an atmosphere of Taisho era Romanticism. Winter season (Dec.-Mar.) is quite cold, so vols. need to bring warm cloths. Join the local events, many opportunities to learn the local wisdom, etc. Sightseeing, short trip (hot springs, castle, famous places here).

Project hosted by

This project is actively working for SDGs 1 (no poverty) and SDGs 4 (Quality Education), organized together with a local NPO, Terakoya Hojosha that aims to create a diverse learning environment that places children at the center and aims to promote children's participation in society. Their mission is to support 'Children's participation in society' and create a happy future for children. A characteristic of the learning at Terakoya Hojosya is that it attends to children's interests. The aim to create a happy future with children, each and every one of whom is important. In their all projects, it is importance on approving and affirming children and fostering a sense of self-affirmation, which is the children's energy, through their connections with others.

Additional comments

Volunteers will get knowledge of alternative school, children's social participation, child poverty in Japan.

Requirements

Motivation letter is needed! Volunteers need to have some Japanese speaking skill (manage to have basic daily conversation), respect to the local culture and way of the local organization, positive attitude to communicate with children, being Interested alternative school, children's social patriation and child poverty, high motivation to work hard, open mind, cooperation with others.

18,000 JPY (110 EUR by the rate on 2023 Nov. 18th) per month till the 3rd month and 9,000 JPY per month from the 4th month of "NICE Volunteers" fee need to be paid in advance either by Card or PayPal. This is used for the project preparation/ coordination such as the transportation of the camp leaders while the meals and the accommodation are provided by the local host by free. Odd days are counted as one month (e.g., 170 days are counted as 6 months).

Sustainable Development Goals

No Poverty Quality Education
Japan Japan: Aizu Wakamatsu (NICE-24L-AI08)

Dates

01/06/2024   -   04/05/2025

Feedback from 47 volunteers

Tags

Social
2
Place(s)
left

Fee

USD 1268 i Fee is paid in two installments:

USD 400 to be paid now.
JPY 135000 is to be paid after acceptance.

Note: Total fee can vary depending on bank rates.
Close

Details on the project

Age
18 - 99
Max number of volunteers
2
Still room for
2
Languages
English
Nearest airport
 
Nearest bus/train station
The nearest airport is Tokyo (NRT or HND) from which it takes 5 hours by train and bus to the meeting point in Fukushima pref. Volunteers need to join On Arrival and Evaluation Seminars in Yokohama, so firstly should arrive at Tokyo airport by 08:00 on the starting day and can leave Tokyo airport after 18:00 on the ending day.
Map

Work

Volunteers will support to prepare, run and follow up the Kodomo Shokudo (Children's cafeteria) that provides meals for free or at a low price to the children including those in the low income families. It also provides the assist the homework and the subject learning for about 15 primary and junior high school students, so the volunteers will help their homework and crafts as well as cook the lunch and dinner together. Thus, they will also assist the activities with out-of-school children (e.g. supporting children, organizing event).

Accomodation and food

Shared rooms in accommodation owned by the organization. It is different place with activity place. Men and women separated room. Cooking by yourself. Staffs also stay at the facility. No wifi in the accommodation (but there is wifi in activity place).

Location and leisure

Aizu Wakamatsu city is called Samurai city. It is located in the eastern part of the Aizu region of Fukushima prefecture. It is the central city of Aizu region, surrounded by rich nature, including Mt. Bandai and Lake Inawashiro and blessed with natural scenery. The organization is located in an area with an atmosphere of Taisho era Romanticism. Winter season (Dec.-Mar.) is quite cold, so vols. need to bring warm cloths. Join the local events, many opportunities to learn the local wisdom, etc. Sightseeing, short trip (hot springs, castle, famous places here).

Project hosted by

This project is actively working for SDGs 1 (no poverty) and SDGs 4 (Quality Education), organized together with a local NPO, Terakoya Hojosha that aims to create a diverse learning environment that places children at the center and aims to promote children's participation in society. Their mission is to support 'Children's participation in society' and create a happy future for children. A characteristic of the learning at Terakoya Hojosya is that it attends to children's interests. The aim to create a happy future with children, each and every one of whom is important. In their all projects, it is importance on approving and affirming children and fostering a sense of self-affirmation, which is the children's energy, through their connections with others.

Additional comments

Volunteers will get knowledge of alternative school, children's social participation, child poverty in Japan.

Requirements

Motivation letter is needed! Volunteers need to have some Japanese speaking skill (manage to have basic daily conversation), respect to the local culture and way of the local organization, positive attitude to communicate with children, being Interested alternative school, children's social patriation and child poverty, high motivation to work hard, open mind, cooperation with others.

18,000 JPY (110 EUR by the rate on 2023 Nov. 18th) per month till the 3rd month and 9,000 JPY per month from the 4th month of "NICE Volunteers" fee need to be paid in advance either by Card or PayPal. This is used for the project preparation/ coordination such as the transportation of the camp leaders while the meals and the accommodation are provided by the local host by free. Odd days are counted as one month (e.g., 170 days are counted as 6 months).

Sustainable Development Goals

No Poverty Quality Education
Japan Japan: Maki (NICE-24L-MK06)

Dates

01/06/2024   -   14/07/2024

Feedback from 47 volunteers

Tags

Agricultural
Environmental
Social
2
Place(s)
left

Fee

USD 631 i Fee is paid in two installments:

USD 400 to be paid now.
JPY 36000 is to be paid after acceptance.

Note: Total fee can vary depending on bank rates.
Close

Details on the project

Age
18 - 99
Max number of volunteers
2
Still room for
2
Languages
English
Nearest airport
 
Nearest bus/train station
The nearest airport is Tokyo (NRT or HND) from which it takes 7 hours to the project by train and bus. However, volunteers need to join On Arrival (in Yokohama for MK06-09, 13-14 and Osaka for MK01-05, 10-12, 15) and Evaluation Seminars (in Yokohama for MK01, 03, 05, 07, 09, 10, 12, 14, 15 and Osaka for MK02, 04, 06, 08, 11, 13), so firstly should arrive at/ leave NRT or HND if the seminar is in Yokohama and KIX if it is in Osaka, by 08:00 on the starting day and can leave there after 18:00 on the ending day.
Map

Work

Volunteers mainly work for organic agriculture (cultivation, seeding, weeding, harvesting, taking care of goats, cows and chicken, making their feeds) and also carrying the things from the town to Maki, renovating the houses and trails on the way, constructing a hut, helping the house works especially cooking, etc. It's important and necessary to actively join the daily meeting and actively share the collective life. Be ready to work for quite a long time (05:30-18:00 with some brakes) and hard. It'd be surely good exercise to make your body more healthy!

Accomodation and food

Volunteers will live in the main house that is a very beautiful cultural heritage and equips the basic facilities such as water, electricity, kitchen, toilets and a bath room! Single room can be provided. They will have meals, meetings and social life with Kyodo Gakusha members. Meals will be cooked by volunteers together with the members by turns. Sleeping bag is not necessary. There is limited wifi.

Location and leisure

Maki is located in the beautiful place near ÔÇ£Japanese Northern AlpsÔÇØ, at about 900 meters asl. and there is something remained here that most of Japanese areas have lost in modernization. Exchange program, Excursion on a free day (possibly to Hakuba, a famous tourism spot), etc.

Project hosted by

This project is actively working for SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDGs 10 (Reduced Inequalities), organized together with Kyodo Gakusha since 2000, a cooperative community where people with various backgrounds such as mentally disadvantaged, people who are tired of city life, who want to learn farming, who want to live in the nature, etc. They have 5 communities in Japan incl. Maki and Tateya and grow animals and vegetables in ecological, organic way.
Maki is located in a very isolated area (not accessible for cars and we have to walk 4 km in the mountains!), so it once became an abandon village in 1970s and then, was revived by Kyodo Gakusha. Over 10 people incl. 2 families were living till several years ago, but less and less in these years (almost nobody in the winter), so vols. are needed even more!
*Outcome of this workcamp: In 2023, we had 4 short term workcamps and 1 LMTV project with 13 vols. who greatly contributed to their protecting the houses, farming and caring animals that was difficult to finish by the time they needed without volunteers! See the long-term goal of this project as Local SDGs made by the previous project leader at https://www.slideshare.net/nice-workcamp/2019-ep3-188767935 (only in Japanese, sorry, but you can still enjoy the pictures!)

Additional comments

Similar type of communities in each country and their networking

Requirements

Motivation letter is needed! Volunteers need to have some Japanese speaking skill (manage to have basic daily conversation) and high motivation and patience to keep hard, long and important work in the very isolated, natural place, to respect the way of the local host and to learn and speak Japanese language is needed. No special skills nor experiences are needed.

18,000 JPY (110 EUR by the rate on 2023 Nov. 18th) per month till the 3rd month and 9,000 JPY per month from the 4th month of "NICE Volunteers" fee need to be paid in advance either by Card or PayPal. This is used for the project preparation/ coordination such as the transportation of the camp leaders while the meals and the accommodation are provided by the local host by free. Odd days are counted as one month (e.g., 170 days are counted as 6 months).

Japan Japan: Maki (NICE-24L-MK07)

Dates

01/06/2024   -   25/08/2024

Feedback from 47 volunteers

Tags

Agricultural
Environmental
Social
2
Place(s)
left

Fee

USD 747 i Fee is paid in two installments:

USD 400 to be paid now.
JPY 54000 is to be paid after acceptance.

Note: Total fee can vary depending on bank rates.
Close

Details on the project

Age
18 - 99
Max number of volunteers
2
Still room for
2
Languages
English
Nearest airport
 
Nearest bus/train station
The nearest airport is Tokyo (NRT or HND) from which it takes 7 hours to the project by train and bus. However, volunteers need to join On Arrival (in Yokohama for MK06-09, 13-14 and Osaka for MK01-05, 10-12, 15) and Evaluation Seminars (in Yokohama for MK01, 03, 05, 07, 09, 10, 12, 14, 15 and Osaka for MK02, 04, 06, 08, 11, 13), so firstly should arrive at/ leave NRT or HND if the seminar is in Yokohama and KIX if it is in Osaka, by 08:00 on the starting day and can leave there after 18:00 on the ending day.
Map

Work

Volunteers mainly work for organic agriculture (cultivation, seeding, weeding, harvesting, taking care of goats, cows and chicken, making their feeds) and also carrying the things from the town to Maki, renovating the houses and trails on the way, constructing a hut, helping the house works especially cooking, etc. It's important and necessary to actively join the daily meeting and actively share the collective life. Be ready to work for quite a long time (05:30-18:00 with some brakes) and hard. It'd be surely good exercise to make your body more healthy!

Accomodation and food

Volunteers will live in the main house that is a very beautiful cultural heritage and equips the basic facilities such as water, electricity, kitchen, toilets and a bath room! Single room can be provided. They will have meals, meetings and social life with Kyodo Gakusha members. Meals will be cooked by volunteers together with the members by turns. Sleeping bag is not necessary. There is limited wifi.

Location and leisure

Maki is located in the beautiful place near ÔÇ£Japanese Northern AlpsÔÇØ, at about 900 meters asl. and there is something remained here that most of Japanese areas have lost in modernization. Exchange program, Excursion on a free day (possibly to Hakuba, a famous tourism spot), etc.

Project hosted by

This project is actively working for SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDGs 10 (Reduced Inequalities), organized together with Kyodo Gakusha since 2000, a cooperative community where people with various backgrounds such as mentally disadvantaged, people who are tired of city life, who want to learn farming, who want to live in the nature, etc. They have 5 communities in Japan incl. Maki and Tateya and grow animals and vegetables in ecological, organic way.
Maki is located in a very isolated area (not accessible for cars and we have to walk 4 km in the mountains!), so it once became an abandon village in 1970s and then, was revived by Kyodo Gakusha. Over 10 people incl. 2 families were living till several years ago, but less and less in these years (almost nobody in the winter), so vols. are needed even more!
*Outcome of this workcamp: In 2023, we had 4 short term workcamps and 1 LMTV project with 13 vols. who greatly contributed to their protecting the houses, farming and caring animals that was difficult to finish by the time they needed without volunteers! See the long-term goal of this project as Local SDGs made by the previous project leader at https://www.slideshare.net/nice-workcamp/2019-ep3-188767935 (only in Japanese, sorry, but you can still enjoy the pictures!)

Additional comments

Similar type of communities in each country and their networking

Requirements

Motivation letter is needed! Volunteers need to have some Japanese speaking skill (manage to have basic daily conversation) and high motivation and patience to keep hard, long and important work in the very isolated, natural place, to respect the way of the local host and to learn and speak Japanese language is needed. No special skills nor experiences are needed.

18,000 JPY (110 EUR by the rate on 2023 Nov. 18th) per month till the 3rd month and 9,000 JPY per month from the 4th month of "NICE Volunteers" fee need to be paid in advance either by Card or PayPal. This is used for the project preparation/ coordination such as the transportation of the camp leaders while the meals and the accommodation are provided by the local host by free. Odd days are counted as one month (e.g., 170 days are counted as 6 months).

Sustainable Development Goals

Zero Hunger Reduced Inequalities
Japan Japan: Tateya (NICE-24L-TT05)

Dates

01/06/2024   -   14/07/2024

Feedback from 47 volunteers

Tags

Agricultural
Manual Work
Social

Fee

USD 631 i Fee is paid in two installments:

USD 400 to be paid now.
JPY 36000 is to be paid after acceptance.

Note: Total fee can vary depending on bank rates.
Close

Details on the project

Age
18 - 99
Max number of volunteers
5
Still room for
2 Male + 2 Female
Languages
English
Nearest airport
 
Nearest bus/train station
The nearest airport is Tokyo (NRT or HND) from which it takes 7 hours to the project by train and bus. However, volunteers need to join On Arrival (in Yokohama for TT05-07, 10 and Osaka for TT01-04, 08-09) and Evaluation Seminars (in Yokohama for TT01, 03, 06, 08 and Osaka for TT02, 04, 05, 07, 09, 10), so firstly should arrive at/ leave NRT or HND if the seminar is in Yokohama and KIX if it is in Osaka, by 08:00 on the starting day and can leave there after 18:00 on the ending day.
Map

Work

Volunteers will help their organic farm (harvesting/ threshing rice, planting vegetables, taking care of animals, etc.) and their house work especially cooking. Volunteers will also carry the things in the mountain to the Maki farm and harvest rice there. Be ready to work for quite a long time (05:30-18:00 with some brakes) and hard. It'd be surely good exercise to make your body more healthy!

Accomodation and food

Shared room in the building for the volunteers and a few members, 5 min. walk from the farm. Meals will be cooked by volunteers together with the community people by turns. Sleeping bag is not necessary. There is limited Wifi.

Location and leisure

Otari village is a small village located in the region of stunning natural beauty in the northern part of Nagano Prefecture, Japan. It is beautiful village near ÔÇ£Japanese Northern AlpsÔÇØ. It takes 40-50 min. by foot from Minami-Otari, the nearest train station. Exchange program, Excursion on a free day (possibly to Hakuba, a famous tourism spot), etc.

Project hosted by

This project is actively working for SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDGs 10 (Reduced Inequalities), organized together with Kyodo Gakusha since 2015, a cooperative community where about people with various backgrounds such as mentally disadvantaged, people who are tired of city life, who wants to learn farming, just want to live in the nature, etc. They have 5 communities in Tokyo, Nagano and Hokkaido and grow animals and vegetables in ecological, organic way with utilizing bacterium and charcoal. Tateya Farm has 40 members and NICE started LMTV projects here since 2014. NICE also organizes workcamps and LMTV projects in Maki and Shintoku farms of Kyodo Gakusha.
*Outcome of this workcamp: In 2023, 1 mid term volunteer for 2 months greatly contributed to harvest rice which was difficult to finish by the time they needed without volunteers! There was also nice exchange between Community people and vols. through Yoga and Mindfulness. Please see the presentation of the camp leader for the IVS contest in Japan https://www.slideshare.net/nice-workcamp/e4-54764427 (only Japanese for the moment, but you can at least enjoy the pictures!)

Additional comments

Similar type of communities in each country and their networking

Requirements

Motivation letter is needed. Volunteers need to have good level of speaking for the daily conversations of English or Japaneseand and high motivation and patience to keep the hard, long and important work in the natural place, to respect the way of the local host and to learn and speak Japanese language is needed. No special skills nor experiences are needed.

Japan Japan: Tateya (NICE-24L-TT06)

Dates

01/06/2024   -   25/08/2024

Feedback from 47 volunteers

Tags

Agricultural
Manual Work
Social

Fee

USD 747 i Fee is paid in two installments:

USD 400 to be paid now.
JPY 54000 is to be paid after acceptance.

Note: Total fee can vary depending on bank rates.
Close

Details on the project

Age
18 - 99
Max number of volunteers
5
Still room for
2 Male + 2 Female
Languages
English
Nearest airport
 
Nearest bus/train station
The nearest airport is Tokyo (NRT or HND) from which it takes 7 hours to the project by train and bus. However, volunteers need to join On Arrival (in Yokohama for TT05-07, 10 and Osaka for TT01-04, 08-09) and Evaluation Seminars (in Yokohama for TT01, 03, 06, 08 and Osaka for TT02, 04, 05, 07, 09, 10), so firstly should arrive at/ leave NRT or HND if the seminar is in Yokohama and KIX if it is in Osaka, by 08:00 on the starting day and can leave there after 18:00 on the ending day.
Map

Work

Volunteers will help their organic farm (harvesting/ threshing rice, planting vegetables, taking care of animals, etc.) and their house work especially cooking. Volunteers will also carry the things in the mountain to the Maki farm and harvest rice there. Be ready to work for quite a long time (05:30-18:00 with some brakes) and hard. It'd be surely good exercise to make your body more healthy!

Accomodation and food

Shared room in the building for the volunteers and a few members, 5 min. walk from the farm. Meals will be cooked by volunteers together with the community people by turns. Sleeping bag is not necessary. There is limited Wifi.

Location and leisure

Otari village is a small village located in the region of stunning natural beauty in the northern part of Nagano Prefecture, Japan. It is beautiful village near ÔÇ£Japanese Northern AlpsÔÇØ. It takes 40-50 min. by foot from Minami-Otari, the nearest train station. Exchange program, Excursion on a free day (possibly to Hakuba, a famous tourism spot), etc.

Project hosted by

This project is actively working for SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDGs 10 (Reduced Inequalities), organized together with Kyodo Gakusha since 2015, a cooperative community where about people with various backgrounds such as mentally disadvantaged, people who are tired of city life, who wants to learn farming, just want to live in the nature, etc. They have 5 communities in Tokyo, Nagano and Hokkaido and grow animals and vegetables in ecological, organic way with utilizing bacterium and charcoal. Tateya Farm has 40 members and NICE started LMTV projects here since 2014. NICE also organizes workcamps and LMTV projects in Maki and Shintoku farms of Kyodo Gakusha.
*Outcome of this workcamp: In 2023, 1 mid term volunteer for 2 months greatly contributed to harvest rice which was difficult to finish by the time they needed without volunteers! There was also nice exchange between Community people and vols. through Yoga and Mindfulness. Please see the presentation of the camp leader for the IVS contest in Japan https://www.slideshare.net/nice-workcamp/e4-54764427 (only Japanese for the moment, but you can at least enjoy the pictures!)

Additional comments

Similar type of communities in each country and their networking

Requirements

Motivation letter is needed. Volunteers need to have good level of speaking for the daily conversations of English or Japaneseand and high motivation and patience to keep the hard, long and important work in the natural place, to respect the way of the local host and to learn and speak Japanese language is needed. No special skills nor experiences are needed.

Japan Japan: Aizu Wakamatsu (NICE-24L-AI05)

Dates

01/06/2024   -   25/08/2024

Feedback from 47 volunteers

Tags

Social
2
Place(s)
left

Fee

USD 747 i Fee is paid in two installments:

USD 400 to be paid now.
JPY 54000 is to be paid after acceptance.

Note: Total fee can vary depending on bank rates.
Close

Details on the project

Age
18 - 99
Max number of volunteers
2
Still room for
2
Languages
English
Nearest airport
 
Nearest bus/train station
The nearest airport is Tokyo (NRT or HND) from which it takes 5 hours by train and bus to the meeting point in Fukushima pref. Volunteers need to join On Arrival and Evaluation Seminars in Yokohama, so firstly should arrive at Tokyo airport by 08:00 on the starting day and can leave Tokyo airport after 18:00 on the ending day.
Map

Work

Volunteers will support to prepare, run and follow up the Kodomo Shokudo (Children's cafeteria) that provides meals for free or at a low price to the children including those in the low income families. It also provides the assist the homework and the subject learning for about 15 primary and junior high school students, so the volunteers will help their homework and crafts as well as cook the lunch and dinner together. Thus, they will also assist the activities with out-of-school children (e.g. supporting children, organizing event).

Accomodation and food

Shared rooms in accommodation owned by the organization. It is different place with activity place. Men and women separated room. Cooking by yourself. Staffs also stay at the facility. No wifi in the accommodation (but there is wifi in activity place).

Location and leisure

Aizu Wakamatsu city is called Samurai city. It is located in the eastern part of the Aizu region of Fukushima prefecture. It is the central city of Aizu region, surrounded by rich nature, including Mt. Bandai and Lake Inawashiro and blessed with natural scenery. The organization is located in an area with an atmosphere of Taisho era Romanticism. Winter season (Dec.-Mar.) is quite cold, so vols. need to bring warm cloths. Join the local events, many opportunities to learn the local wisdom, etc. Sightseeing, short trip (hot springs, castle, famous places here).

Project hosted by

This project is actively working for SDGs 1 (no poverty) and SDGs 4 (Quality Education), organized together with a local NPO, Terakoya Hojosha that aims to create a diverse learning environment that places children at the center and aims to promote children's participation in society. Their mission is to support 'Children's participation in society' and create a happy future for children. A characteristic of the learning at Terakoya Hojosya is that it attends to children's interests. The aim to create a happy future with children, each and every one of whom is important. In their all projects, it is importance on approving and affirming children and fostering a sense of self-affirmation, which is the children's energy, through their connections with others.

Additional comments

Volunteers will get knowledge of alternative school, children's social participation, child poverty in Japan.

Requirements

Motivation letter is needed! Volunteers need to have some Japanese speaking skill (manage to have basic daily conversation), respect to the local culture and way of the local organization, positive attitude to communicate with children, being Interested alternative school, children's social patriation and child poverty, high motivation to work hard, open mind, cooperation with others.

18,000 JPY (110 EUR by the rate on 2023 Nov. 18th) per month till the 3rd month and 9,000 JPY per month from the 4th month of "NICE Volunteers" fee need to be paid in advance either by Card or PayPal. This is used for the project preparation/ coordination such as the transportation of the camp leaders while the meals and the accommodation are provided by the local host by free. Odd days are counted as one month (e.g., 170 days are counted as 6 months).

Sustainable Development Goals

No Poverty Quality Education
Japan Japan: Oi 27 (NICE-24V-0707A)

Dates

07/07/2024   -   12/07/2024

Feedback from 47 volunteers

Tags

Agricultural
Cultural

Fee

USD 458 i Fee is paid in two installments:

USD 400 to be paid now.
JPY 9000 is to be paid after acceptance.

Note: Total fee can vary depending on bank rates.
Close

Details on the project

Age
18 - 99
Max number of volunteers
6
Still room for
5 Male + 5 Female
Languages
English
Vegetarian food
Yes
Nearest airport
Osaka (KIX)
Nearest bus/train station
The nearest int'l airport is Kansai (Osaka). From Osaka to the meeting point in Tokushima, it takes 3 hours by highway bus. Volunteers are recommended to arrive there one day before workcamp starts since the bus leaves early. Volunteers need to take local train from the meeting point to the campsite about 2.5 hours. Volunteers need to arrive at the meeting point by 13:00 on 1st day and can leave there after 13:00 on last day.
Map

Work

  1. Support harvesting and shipping "Sudachi citrus" at its season
    2. Support harvesting and shipping "Shikimi (Japanese star anise)"
    3. Help making brochures or signs for pilgrims from overseas throughout the village.
    4. Cleaning up vacant houses, etc.

Accomodation and food

Home staying at local farmhouses. All meals will be cooked by volunteers by turns. Sleeping bag is NOT necessary.

Location and leisure

Oi-cho, Anan city, Tokushima prefecture.

Project hosted by

This project is actively working for SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDGs 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), organized together with the local group since 2019. This village has been welcoming "ohenro (pilgrims)" who visit 88 temples in Shikoku since long time ago. The pilgrims walk through this village before visiting "Kakurin-ji temple"; the 20th temple out of 88 temples of the Shikoku Ohenro Pilgrimage. However, there are problems which should be solved such as aging and depopulation of the community these days, and locals haven't been able to find solutions for those problems. On the other hand, since more and more people from overseas visit for the Shikoku Ohenro Pilgrimage locals are trying to find new ways for "omotenashi (hospitality)". Volunteers who have been working on the project have come up with ideas for the reuse of vacant and abandoned land. Local host Oi have finally decided that they can freely renovate and modify the vacant houses. Moreover, the site is in a good location, with mountains, a river and fields. It is up to the volunteers from now on to decide how to develop the project. The aim is for the volunteer members to clean up the abandoned houses and village landscape and transform it into a village that people will want to visit to take photos, as it used to be a village where people came and went since ancient times.

Directions to meeting point

Tokushima station

Additional comments

Study theme: Finding ways for sustainability of a depopulated village, Pass down the "osettai" culture to the next generation, Helping senior citizens to host foreigners
Other activities: Welcome party by locals, visiting Kakurin-ji temple.
Other: Video about Kakurin-ji temple https://youtu.be/V2vX5Ik4ASM

Requirements

Positive attitude, a willingness to work hard and communicate with local people!

9,000 JPY (60 USD by the rate on 2024 Feb. 16th) of "NICE Volunteers" fee need to be paid in advance either by Card or PayPal. This is used for the project preparation/ coordination such as the transportation of the camp leaders while the meals and the accommodation are provided by the local host by free.

Sustainable Development Goals

Zero Hunger Sustainable Cities and Communities
Japan Japan: Maki (NICE-24L-MK12)

Dates

13/07/2024   -   17/11/2024

Feedback from 47 volunteers

Tags

Agricultural
Environmental
Social
2
Place(s)
left

Fee

USD 863 i Fee is paid in two installments:

USD 400 to be paid now.
JPY 72000 is to be paid after acceptance.

Note: Total fee can vary depending on bank rates.
Close

Details on the project

Age
18 - 99
Max number of volunteers
2
Still room for
2
Languages
English
Nearest airport
 
Nearest bus/train station
The nearest airport is Tokyo (NRT or HND) from which it takes 7 hours to the project by train and bus. However, volunteers need to join On Arrival (in Yokohama for MK06-09, 13-14 and Osaka for MK01-05, 10-12, 15) and Evaluation Seminars (in Yokohama for MK01, 03, 05, 07, 09, 10, 12, 14, 15 and Osaka for MK02, 04, 06, 08, 11, 13), so firstly should arrive at/ leave NRT or HND if the seminar is in Yokohama and KIX if it is in Osaka, by 08:00 on the starting day and can leave there after 18:00 on the ending day.
Map

Work

Volunteers mainly work for organic agriculture (cultivation, seeding, weeding, harvesting, taking care of goats, cows and chicken, making their feeds) and also carrying the things from the town to Maki, renovating the houses and trails on the way, constructing a hut, helping the house works especially cooking, etc. It's important and necessary to actively join the daily meeting and actively share the collective life. Be ready to work for quite a long time (05:30-18:00 with some brakes) and hard. It'd be surely good exercise to make your body more healthy!

Accomodation and food

Volunteers will live in the main house that is a very beautiful cultural heritage and equips the basic facilities such as water, electricity, kitchen, toilets and a bath room! Single room can be provided. They will have meals, meetings and social life with Kyodo Gakusha members. Meals will be cooked by volunteers together with the members by turns. Sleeping bag is not necessary. There is limited wifi.

Location and leisure

Maki is located in the beautiful place near ÔÇ£Japanese Northern AlpsÔÇØ, at about 900 meters asl. and there is something remained here that most of Japanese areas have lost in modernization. Exchange program, Excursion on a free day (possibly to Hakuba, a famous tourism spot), etc.

Project hosted by

This project is actively working for SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDGs 10 (Reduced Inequalities), organized together with Kyodo Gakusha since 2000, a cooperative community where people with various backgrounds such as mentally disadvantaged, people who are tired of city life, who want to learn farming, who want to live in the nature, etc. They have 5 communities in Japan incl. Maki and Tateya and grow animals and vegetables in ecological, organic way.
Maki is located in a very isolated area (not accessible for cars and we have to walk 4 km in the mountains!), so it once became an abandon village in 1970s and then, was revived by Kyodo Gakusha. Over 10 people incl. 2 families were living till several years ago, but less and less in these years (almost nobody in the winter), so vols. are needed even more!
*Outcome of this workcamp: In 2023, we had 4 short term workcamps and 1 LMTV project with 13 vols. who greatly contributed to their protecting the houses, farming and caring animals that was difficult to finish by the time they needed without volunteers! See the long-term goal of this project as Local SDGs made by the previous project leader at https://www.slideshare.net/nice-workcamp/2019-ep3-188767935 (only in Japanese, sorry, but you can still enjoy the pictures!)

Additional comments

Similar type of communities in each country and their networking

Requirements

Motivation letter is needed! Volunteers need to have some Japanese speaking skill (manage to have basic daily conversation) and high motivation and patience to keep hard, long and important work in the very isolated, natural place, to respect the way of the local host and to learn and speak Japanese language is needed. No special skills nor experiences are needed.

18,000 JPY (110 EUR by the rate on 2023 Nov. 18th) per month till the 3rd month and 9,000 JPY per month from the 4th month of "NICE Volunteers" fee need to be paid in advance either by Card or PayPal. This is used for the project preparation/ coordination such as the transportation of the camp leaders while the meals and the accommodation are provided by the local host by free. Odd days are counted as one month (e.g., 170 days are counted as 6 months).

Sustainable Development Goals

Zero Hunger Reduced Inequalities
Japan Japan: NICE West Office (NICE-24L-WO07)

Dates

13/07/2024   -   23/03/2025

Feedback from 47 volunteers

Tags

Cultural
Social
2
Place(s)
left

Fee

USD 1094 i Fee is paid in two installments:

USD 400 to be paid now.
JPY 108000 is to be paid after acceptance.

Note: Total fee can vary depending on bank rates.
Close

Details on the project

Age
18 - 99
Max number of volunteers
2
Still room for
2
Languages
English
Nearest airport
 
Nearest bus/train station
The nearest airport is Osaka (KIX). It will take about 1.5 hours by train to the accommodation. On Arrival/ Evaluation Seminars will be most likely held in this project place, so volunteers should arrive at KIX by 08:00 on the starting day and can leave KIX after 18:00 on the ending day.
Map

Work

Volunteers will mainly 1) Help the work of NICE in the western part of Japan such as Public Relations (Creating short movies of workcamps and spread through SNS and mass media), Organizing promotion events and weekend workcamps, Coordinating the workcamps in the western part of Japan as a camp leader together with NICE and the local hosts and Hosting the training seminars of NICE volunteers. They will also 2) Renovate/ maintain the house and the surroundings and 3) Organize various types of gathering for the local people incl. elders (e.g., just chatting with tea, taking care of small kids to support the parents, organizing international culture/ language classes).

Accomodation and food

NICE House West. Single room can be provided if the number of the residents are not many. Meals will be cooked by volunteers by turns.

Location and leisure

Tondabayashi city is located in Osaka prefecture, 60km south of Osaka city. The house is surrounded by many old houses and a bamboo forest. Exchange parties, experiencing Japanese culture, home stay, etc.

Project hosted by

This project is actively working for SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) and SDGs 16 (Peace, justice and strong institutions) organized by NICE itself for the first time.
In 2011-13, the old couple (Kuroda san) kindly rent a traditional house in their land by free to NICE for it office in Osaka, through the connection of the environmental group in this city with which NICE has been co-organizing workcamps to protect satoyama forests since 1999. A staff and a few LTVs lived there to do the daily work and also to maintain the bamboo forest next to the house. Then, the office was moved to Osaka city and the husband passed away, but this year, the wife decided to donate it to NICE to be used as its office again with expectation to create space for local people incl. elders to gather and enjoy exchange. Therefore, NICE decided to recruit long term residents. Together with NICE, let's work on activities to liven up the community with free and colorful ideas.

Additional comments

Volunteers will get knowledge of conservation work in a forest, management of Non-Profitable Organization in Japan, etc.

Requirements

Motivation letter is needed! Good Japanese speaking skill (can have daily conversation well). High motivation to learn and speak Japanese language and to work hard with enjoying the simple and collective life. Respect for the local culture and way of the local organization. High interests in environment and community issues as well as the management of International Voluntary Service NGO. Open mind and flexibility.

Japan Japan: NICE West Office (NICE-24L-WO08)

Dates

13/07/2024   -   15/06/2025

Feedback from 47 volunteers

Tags

Cultural
Social
2
Place(s)
left

Fee

USD 1268 i Fee is paid in two installments:

USD 400 to be paid now.
JPY 135000 is to be paid after acceptance.

Note: Total fee can vary depending on bank rates.
Close

Details on the project

Age
18 - 99
Max number of volunteers
2
Still room for
2
Languages
English
Nearest airport
 
Nearest bus/train station
The nearest airport is Osaka (KIX). It will take about 1.5 hours by train to the accommodation. On Arrival/ Evaluation Seminars will be most likely held in this project place, so volunteers should arrive at KIX by 08:00 on the starting day and can leave KIX after 18:00 on the ending day.
Map

Work

Volunteers will mainly 1) Help the work of NICE in the western part of Japan such as Public Relations (Creating short movies of workcamps and spread through SNS and mass media), Organizing promotion events and weekend workcamps, Coordinating the workcamps in the western part of Japan as a camp leader together with NICE and the local hosts and Hosting the training seminars of NICE volunteers. They will also 2) Renovate/ maintain the house and the surroundings and 3) Organize various types of gathering for the local people incl. elders (e.g., just chatting with tea, taking care of small kids to support the parents, organizing international culture/ language classes).

Accomodation and food

NICE House West. Single room can be provided if the number of the residents are not many. Meals will be cooked by volunteers by turns.

Location and leisure

Tondabayashi city is located in Osaka prefecture, 60km south of Osaka city. The house is surrounded by many old houses and a bamboo forest. Exchange parties, experiencing Japanese culture, home stay, etc.

Project hosted by

This project is actively working for SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) and SDGs 16 (Peace, justice and strong institutions) organized by NICE itself for the first time.
In 2011-13, the old couple (Kuroda san) kindly rent a traditional house in their land by free to NICE for it office in Osaka, through the connection of the environmental group in this city with which NICE has been co-organizing workcamps to protect satoyama forests since 1999. A staff and a few LTVs lived there to do the daily work and also to maintain the bamboo forest next to the house. Then, the office was moved to Osaka city and the husband passed away, but this year, the wife decided to donate it to NICE to be used as its office again with expectation to create space for local people incl. elders to gather and enjoy exchange. Therefore, NICE decided to recruit long term residents. Together with NICE, let's work on activities to liven up the community with free and colorful ideas.

Additional comments

Volunteers will get knowledge of conservation work in a forest, management of Non-Profitable Organization in Japan, etc.

Requirements

Motivation letter is needed! Good Japanese speaking skill (can have daily conversation well). High motivation to learn and speak Japanese language and to work hard with enjoying the simple and collective life. Respect for the local culture and way of the local organization. High interests in environment and community issues as well as the management of International Voluntary Service NGO. Open mind and flexibility.