This project is actively working for SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDGs 15 (Life on Land), organized together with a local environmental Non-profit organization (NPO) Akame no SATOYAMA wo Sodateru Kai (ASSK) since 1999. Since this area is close from big cities Osaka and Nagoya, there were plans to build a golf field and an incinerator, but local people stopped those plans by the movement called National Trust. They founded the group in 1996 to collect donations to buy and protect lands, to accept people who want to enjoy nature, to maintain forests, to create a pond for dragonflies, to host national corps meeting, etc. SATOYAMA needs to be maintained by humans for its biodiversity and water adjustment function. Our ancestors had protected and utilized the forest in ecological and sustainable way, which was neglected by modernization. We will try to revive it by global voluntary power!!
Volunteers will do various types of activities such as 1) Forest conservation (cutting trees, branches and maintaining the footpaths, etc.), 2) Agricultural work (taking care of the chickens raised by the free range farming, slaughtering too old chickens (#), harvesting and packaging mushrooms, etc.) and 3) Organizing some environmental events (e.g., to collect edible wild plants, nature observation) in the mountains. #: It's hard for ASSK to keep feeding too old chickens since they don't bear the eggs anymore and feeding is quite costly. Most chicken farms ask the special company to just kill and "throw away" as if they are rubbish with paying 15 yen per chicken, but ASSK does not support this and eats by themselves with deeply appreciating to their value of life.
Motivation letter is needed! Some Japanese speaking skill (manage to have basic daily conversation). High motivation to learn and speak Japanese language and work hard with simple mountain life in a remote area without colleagues. Respect for the local culture and way of the local organization. Interests in environment issues. Open mind and flexibility.
Small traditional house, on the premises of ASSK. Volunteers will cook the meals by themselves.
70 nationalities are exempted to get visa within 3-6 months stay! So, only those who are from other countries or those who will stay for a longer time will need to get visa.
Check the updated info. at this site (https://www.mofa.go.jp/ca/fna/page22e_000921.html#section2) and this site (https://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/index.html) of MOFA, Japanese embassies and any others.
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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).
- Study theme
Volunteers will acquire the knowledge of conserving SATOYAMA and solving the environmental issues.
-Other activities
Many opportunities to learn the local wisdom. Sightseeing, short trip (hot springs, famous places here).
- Location
Kami-mitani area of Nabari city, 60 km from Osaka. There are famous falls nearby many hikers visit.
- Terminal
The nearest airport is Osaka (KIX) or Nagoya (NGO). To the meeting point, it takes 2-3 hours by train from the both airports. However, volunteers need to join On Arrival and Evaluation Seminars in Osaka, so firstly should arrive at KIX by 08:00 on the starting day and can leave KIX after 18:00 on the ending day.
- Language
Japanese and English. The daily communication will be done by mixing simple English and Japanese.
- Other
The first/ last 2 days are On Arrival/ Evaluation Seminars in Osaka.
- Find a project that interests you in our Open Projects
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