volontariato internazionale, antirazzismo, pace, diritti
Code:NICE-24S-0725B
Where:Shimane
Number of volunteers:12
Language:English
Extra-Fee:9000 JPY
Age:18+
Harvesting the traditional pumpkin and enjoy local life style!
"1) Weir construction for the traditional fishing method ""weir fishing"" on the river. 2) Environmental improvement around fish weirs for sightseeing weir fishing. 3) Sharing and exchanging national cultures with local residents, groups and children. etc." Learn about traditional Japanese fishing methods.
"Organized with the Yamato Traditional Fishing Weir Preservation Association. The first-class river Enogawa, also known as ""Chugoku Taro"", flows through the Tsuga area of Misato. This is the only area of the ""Gouno River"" where a fishing method called ""fish weir fishing"" still exists, and the co-organizing organizations are keen to preserve this fish weir fishing for the next generation, so they set up a new preservation association in 2020 . And as a form of preserving the weirs, they aim to create a ""tourist weir"" where people can experience fish weir fishing and river games on the Gouno River. The weirs are involved in a variety of activities. We would like to make the weir a force for continuity by getting more and more people, not only from the local area, but also from outside the town, county and country, to get involved with the weir. This year's project is a joint project with Fukuoka Prefecture. Japanese participants will include seven high school students from Fukuoka Prefecture and NICE staff."
The Gouno River is the largest river in the Chugoku region, flowing from Mt. Asa in Hiroshima Pre.. It flows from Hiroshima Pre. to Shimane Pre., then northwards through the Chugoku Mountains, before changing course in Misato Town and emptying into the Sea of Japan. Tsuga area of Misato, where the activities take place, is in the lower reaches of the river. Sight seeing like World Heritage Site "Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine", Izumo Taisha shrine.
Accommodation is located near project site. Room facilities (wifi, kitchen, washing machine, bath, toilet, fridge).
People who can communicate in the community, young and old, men and women, and who are flexible in tackling different activities.
The nearest int'l airport is Kansai (Osaka). From Osaka to the meeting point in Shimane, it will take 6.5 hours by bus. You are recommended to arrive at Kansai one day before workcamp starts. Hiroshima airport is also available, it takes about 4 hours to the meeting point.
Language: English (Japanese is also welcomed!)
Code:NICE-24S-0802A
Where:Mie
Number of volunteers:8
Language:English
Extra-Fee:9000 JPY
Age:18+
Revitalize the depopulated village though working and interacting with local people!
Maintenance at the national historic site (Akagi Castle ruins). Cleaning of ditches and maintenance of turn mirrors in the area. Re-repair of public toilets that have been maintained in previous work camps. Think about what can be done to boost the future of depopulated and ageing areas. Volunteers will learn and feel about situation of seriously depopulated area in Japan.
"This project is actively working for SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), organized together with Association for Promotion of Regional Development in Nishiyama area, Kumano city where is depopulated in Mie prefecture since 2017. There are about 220 residents whose 73% is over 65 years old in Nishiyama area where volunteers will mainly stay. One youth who had joined an international workcamp in the past, has started organizing weekend workcamps since 2011 in Nishiyama area. 5 years later, local people have been getting open-minded to youths from outside of the area. Since the local people are getting too old to maintain public places such as parks or ruins of a castle, they need hands from international volunteers! Last year, more local elderly people got involved in the camp because the volunteers actively helped the work a lot and practiced traditional Japanese dance together. This year, local high school students may be invited to join a part of the camp. *Outcome of this workcamp: Please see the long term goal of this project as ""Local SDGs"" at https://www.slideshare.net/nice-workcamp/2019-wp5 (only Japanese for the moment, but you can at least enjoy the pictures!). The local people and vols. sometimes cry on the last days. In 2019, 7 vols. from 4 countries worked well."
Nishiyama area, Kumano city, Mie prefecture. It is more than 200 km far both from Osaka and Nagoya. Sightseeing along the Kumano Kodo, hot springs, BBQ, discussions, etc.
Community center. Bring your sleeping bag. Meals will be cooked by volunteers by turns.
Positive attitude to enjoy rural, remoted area. Open mind to respect and communicate with local people
The nearest airport is Nagoya (Chubu Centrair) or Osaka (Kansai). To the meeting point, it will take about 4.5 hours by train from Chubu and 6 hours from Kansai. Volunteers are recommended to arrive at the airport one day before workcamp starts.) To the meeting point, it will take about 4.5 hours by train from Chubu and 6 hours from Kansai. Volunteers are recommended to arrive at the airport one day before workcamp starts.
Language: English (Japanese is also welcomed!)
Code:NICE-24S-0805A
Where:Tokushima
Number of volunteers:12
Language:English
Extra-Fee:9000 JPY
Age:18+
Supporting a village next to Kakurin-ji temple with agriculture and revitalization of the community!
"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" Finding ways for sustainability of a depopulated village, Pass down the "osettai" culture to the next generation, Helping senior citizens to host foreigners
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. This year's project is a joint project with Fukuoka Prefecture. Japanese participants will include seven high school students from Fukuoka Prefecture and NICE staff.
Oi-cho, Anan city, Tokushima pref. Welcome party by locals, visiting Kakurin-ji temple.
Home staying at local farmhouses. All meals will be cooked by volunteers by turns. Sleeping bag is NOT necessary.
Positive attitude, a willingness to work hard and communicate with local people!
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.
Video about Kakurin-ji temple https://youtu.be/V2vX5Ik4ASM
Code:NICE-24S-0809A
Where:Mie
Number of volunteers:10
Language:English
Extra-Fee:6000 JPY
Age:18+
Working in SATOYAMA forest and help organizing a kids' camp!
"1) Cutting down trees in the forest and carry them out so that SATOYAMA forest receives enough amount of sun light and will be kept in the healthy condition for biodiversity. You sometimes need to use blades and machineries under the supervision. 2) Supporting Kids camp. Work is quite hard from morning to evening. 3)Volunteers may take care of free-range raised chickens and slaughter old enough chickens for eating by themselves as well. Volunteers sometimes work with mentally/physically challenged people who work at the same place. Volunteers also will help organizing a 3-days summer kids' camp." Volunteers will acquire the knowledge of conservation work in SATOYAMA forest.
This project is actively working for SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDGs 15 (Life on Land), organized together with "Akame no SATOYAMA wo Sodateru kai", a local environmental organization for conservation of SATOYAMA forest working in Nabari city since 1999. Because this area is relatively close to the big cities between Osaka and Nagoya, there were plans to build a golf field and a disposal center. However, the local people stopped those plans by collecting donations and buying the land. SATOYAMA needs to be maintained by humans for its biodiversity and water adjustment function. Our ancestors had protected and utilized the forest in an ecological and sustainable way, which has been neglected by modernization at many places in Japan.
Workcamp is held in Kami-mitani area, Nabari city, Mie prefecture, about 60 km from Osaka. There are famous falls nearby that many hikers visit. Hiking, cultural exchange parties, etc.
Volunteers will stay in a volunteer house. Meals will be cooked by volunteers by turns. Sleeping bag is NO need. Depends on the amount of work and consideration for the environment, volunteers may take a shower once every two days.
Strong motivation and physical strength are highly needed. Motivation letter is required.
The nearest airport is Kansai (Osaka) or Nagoya (Chubu Centrair). To the meeting point, it will take about 2-3 hours by train from the both airports above. Volunteers need to arrive at the airport by 10:00 on 1st day and can leave there after 19:00 on the last day.
Language: English (Japanese is also welcomed!)
Code:NICE-24S-0810A
Where:Nigata
Number of volunteers:3
Language:Japanese
Extra-Fee:9000 JPY
Age:18+
Cutting bushes of forest, Making Soba noodle, Japanese drum festival in the beautiful island!
Volunteer's main works are (1)cutting bushes in the school huge forests by Brush-cutter machine (2) practicing making soba noodles and sell it at 'Earth Celebration', 3 days (3) Supporting the local small festival “Ogi Matsuri”, like as playing Japanese drums, and do some other work for the community. Volunteers get knowledge and skill about making Soba and playing the Japanese drum. Also, the basic knowledge of the Japanese language and local culture.
"This project is actively working for SDG 15 (Life on Land), organized together with “Morito”, a local voluntary group in Sado Island, since 2001. They maintain the school forest called “Furusato-no-mori Park” in Ogi town, on the southern part of the island. They make it possible for the community to enjoy the forest in every season. They are now trying to focus on caring for the forest in a joint effort with the community. They hope youth and foreign volunteers will mentally and physically help to empower this area. Volunteer maintain about 5.7ha field every year! And they had good relationship with local people in the local festival. *Outcome of this workcamp: Please see the presentation made by the volunteer for the IVS contest in Japan; https://www.slideshare.net/nice-workcamp/2018-e3 (only Japanese for the moment, but you can at least enjoy the pictures!) In 2019, 7 vols. from 4 countries were well integrated into the activities!"
300 km northeast of Tokyo. Sado Island is famous for gold and the Japanese crested ibis. Ogi village is in the southern part beside the beach, where you can enjoy fishing and the hot spring! (https://goo.gl/maps/wSCq3PyfZT32) Exchange parties, fishing, swimming in the sea etc.
"Cottage in the school forest. Please bring your sleeping bag! Everyone will sleep same room. Volunteers prepare the meals by themselves. Internet cannot be connected in the site. There is simple toilet, kitchen and shower room. Please be ready for simple forest life!"
Interest in nature protection & exchange with a community. Adaptability to enjoy a simple forest lifestyle. Super high motivation for hard physical work during day and night! Volunteers also need to speak and understand some Japanese language (daily conversational level).
The closest International airport is Tokyo (Haneda/Narita airport). It takes 3 hours by express train/ 8 hours by highway night bus and take ferry for 2 hours. Volunteers need to arrive Japan by afternoon of the day before the first day/ can leave campsite after noon on the last day.
Code:NICE-24S-0810A
Where:Nigata
Number of volunteers:3
Language:Japanese
Extra-Fee:9000 JPY
Age:18+
Cutting bushes of forest, Making Soba noodle, Japanese drum festival in the beautiful island!
Volunteer's main works are (1)cutting bushes in the school huge forests by Brush-cutter machine (2) practicing making soba noodles and sell it at 'Earth Celebration', 3 days (3) Supporting the local small festival “Ogi Matsuri”, like as playing Japanese drums, and do some other work for the community. Volunteers get knowledge and skill about making Soba and playing the Japanese drum. Also, the basic knowledge of the Japanese language and local culture.
"This project is actively working for SDG 15 (Life on Land), organized together with “Morito”, a local voluntary group in Sado Island, since 2001. They maintain the school forest called “Furusato-no-mori Park” in Ogi town, on the southern part of the island. They make it possible for the community to enjoy the forest in every season. They are now trying to focus on caring for the forest in a joint effort with the community. They hope youth and foreign volunteers will mentally and physically help to empower this area. Volunteer maintain about 5.7ha field every year! And they had good relationship with local people in the local festival. *Outcome of this workcamp: Please see the presentation made by the volunteer for the IVS contest in Japan; https://www.slideshare.net/nice-workcamp/2018-e3 (only Japanese for the moment, but you can at least enjoy the pictures!) In 2019, 7 vols. from 4 countries were well integrated into the activities!"
300 km northeast of Tokyo. Sado Island is famous for gold and the Japanese crested ibis. Ogi village is in the southern part beside the beach, where you can enjoy fishing and the hot spring! (https://goo.gl/maps/wSCq3PyfZT32) Exchange parties, fishing, swimming in the sea etc.
"Cottage in the school forest. Please bring your sleeping bag! Everyone will sleep same room. Volunteers prepare the meals by themselves. Internet cannot be connected in the site. There is simple toilet, kitchen and shower room. Please be ready for simple forest life!"
Interest in nature protection & exchange with a community. Adaptability to enjoy a simple forest lifestyle. Super high motivation for hard physical work during day and night! Volunteers also need to speak and understand some Japanese language (daily conversational level).
The closest International airport is Tokyo (Haneda/Narita airport). It takes 3 hours by express train/ 8 hours by highway night bus and take ferry for 2 hours. Volunteers need to arrive Japan by afternoon of the day before the first day/ can leave campsite after noon on the last day.
Code:NICE-24S-0817A
Where:Ishikawa
Number of volunteers:6
Language:English
Extra-Fee:9000 JPY
Age:18+
Revive the countryside and beautiful village by maintenance of the forests and fields. You can enjoy very beautiful nature and traditional Japanese culture!
We will do various work to activate the area and success their culture. Main work may be one of (1) maintaining rice and vegetables’ fields for sustainable life (2) communicating with local people. And do some other work for the community. "Revival of the abandon villages. Bring some info.! Volunteers get knowledge about actions for developing local village. Also the basic knowledge of the Japanese language and local culture."
"This project is actively working for SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDGs 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), organized together with Shizentaiken Ozuchi Mura since 2013, founded by local people to keep the original landscape. There were 140 inhabitants with 20 houses in 1916, but now only one person lives there. Still 10 houses remained and the area was designated as Nation's Preservation District for Groups of Historic Buildings. We will try to improve the situation by young voluntary power. Since 2016, Ozuchi village and NICE have started weekend workcamps and over 400 vols. joined here per year and love this village! Local host hope to pass this village down the next generations! *Outcome of this workcamp: This village had become abandoned, but one of the former villagers was maintaining the terraced rice fields alone from his home in the town. But through the workcamps working together with him, he has gotten so empowered that he started living there again since 2018! "
The southwest part of Ishikawa prefecture. Ozuchi village is surrounded by mountains, so very isolated, but beautiful place. Charcoal making was main industry. Exchange parties, trekking and hot spring etc.
Renovated house (traditional house!). Simple shower room. Clean toilet. Sleeping bag is needed! Food will be cooked by volunteers. There is a cat. Wi-Fi is available at the base facility, but internet access may be difficult due to the mountainous terrain.
High motivation to work hard and simple life in the isolated area and respect to the local culture and way of the local organization!
Nearest Domestic terminal is Komatsu. International airport is Osaka (Kansai) or Tokyo (Haneda/ Narita). From Osaka, 4 hours by express train. From Tokyo, 5 hours by express train/ 8 hours by night bus (Meeting time is First day's 2 pm, Departure time is Last day's 12 pm at Kaga-Onsen station)
Please see the presentation made by the volunteer for the IVS contest in Japan; https://www.slideshare.net/nice-workcamp/2017e2 (only Japanese for the moment, but you can at least enjoy the pictures!)
Code:NICE-24S-0810A
Where:Nigata
Number of volunteers:3
Language:Japanese
Extra-Fee:9000 JPY
Age:18+
Cutting bushes of forest, Making Soba noodle, Japanese drum festival in the beautiful island!
Volunteer's main works are (1)cutting bushes in the school huge forests by Brush-cutter machine (2) practicing making soba noodles and sell it at 'Earth Celebration', 3 days (3) Supporting the local small festival “Ogi Matsuri”, like as playing Japanese drums, and do some other work for the community. Volunteers get knowledge and skill about making Soba and playing the Japanese drum. Also, the basic knowledge of the Japanese language and local culture.
"This project is actively working for SDG 15 (Life on Land), organized together with “Morito”, a local voluntary group in Sado Island, since 2001. They maintain the school forest called “Furusato-no-mori Park” in Ogi town, on the southern part of the island. They make it possible for the community to enjoy the forest in every season. They are now trying to focus on caring for the forest in a joint effort with the community. They hope youth and foreign volunteers will mentally and physically help to empower this area. Volunteer maintain about 5.7ha field every year! And they had good relationship with local people in the local festival. *Outcome of this workcamp: Please see the presentation made by the volunteer for the IVS contest in Japan; https://www.slideshare.net/nice-workcamp/2018-e3 (only Japanese for the moment, but you can at least enjoy the pictures!) In 2019, 7 vols. from 4 countries were well integrated into the activities!"
300 km northeast of Tokyo. Sado Island is famous for gold and the Japanese crested ibis. Ogi village is in the southern part beside the beach, where you can enjoy fishing and the hot spring! (https://goo.gl/maps/wSCq3PyfZT32) Exchange parties, fishing, swimming in the sea etc.
"Cottage in the school forest. Please bring your sleeping bag! Everyone will sleep same room. Volunteers prepare the meals by themselves. Internet cannot be connected in the site. There is simple toilet, kitchen and shower room. Please be ready for simple forest life!"
Interest in nature protection & exchange with a community. Adaptability to enjoy a simple forest lifestyle. Super high motivation for hard physical work during day and night! Volunteers also need to speak and understand some Japanese language (daily conversational level).
The closest International airport is Tokyo (Haneda/Narita airport). It takes 3 hours by express train/ 8 hours by highway night bus and take ferry for 2 hours. Volunteers need to arrive Japan by afternoon of the day before the first day/ can leave campsite after noon on the last day.
Code:NICE-24S-0820B
Where:Iwate
Number of volunteers:8
Language:English
Extra-Fee:9000 JPY
Age:18+
Let's be of help for the local elderly farmers in a beautiful country side in Japan! After working, you can also enjoy a relaxing time in natural hot spring.
Volunteers will mainly work on 1) Renovation of the vacant house and 2) Support and interaction at facilities for people with disabilities, 3) Communicating with primary and high schools in the town, 4) meeting to show respect for the aged. Volunteers will get knowledge of history and culture of Nishiwaga and have time for sharing ideas how to activate the depopulated area.
This project is actively working for SDG 15 (Life on Land), organized together with Ono Agriculture Union in Nishiwaga (OAUN), since 2014. Nishiwaga is a rural town surrounded by beautiful nature such as forests and lake. On the other side, it faces serious aging society and depopulation, and over 45% of villagers are 65 years or older. More and more farmers have retired, and many farmers suffer from a shortage of successors. OAUN has tried to revive deserted cultivated lands, organized some projects for interaction between urban and rural areas to activate the community. In 2017, the project for biotope development newly started to promote sustainable organic farming. From few years ago, OAUN started to accept some company group through NICE. The company choose this project site, because of hospitality of OAUN. They have really warm heart and welcome to volunteers.
Nishiwaga town, center of Tohoku area (north part of Japan), and located in border between Iwate and Akita prefecture. It surrounded by beautiful mountains, and famous for hot spring (there is one even in a train station)! Hot spring is available. Volunteers can also join for cultural exchange parties with locals as well as activity with nursery school kids.
Volunteers will stay in shared room in an old house (newly-renovated). Meals will be cooked by volunteers by turns. Sleeping bag is NOT necessary.
Interest in community development, cultural exchange with a local community, and agriculture. Ability to ride a bicycle. Language: English (Japanese is also welcomed!)
The nearest international airport is Tokyo (Narita/Haneda). To the meeting point (Hot Yuda sta.) in Iwate, it takes 5 hours by bullet train or 9 hours by night bus. You need to arrive at Narita/Haneda by 19:00 on 1day before of 1st day, and can leave the airport after 09:00. on 1day later of last day.
Code:NICE-24S-0828A
Where:Hokkaido
Number of volunteers:8
Language:English
Extra-Fee:9000 JPY
Age:18+
Organic farming in the wonderful community with challenged people in beautiful nature. They have got the best prize of mountain cheese contest in the world!
Volunteers will 1) join the farm work (weeding and harvest in the vegetable fields), 2) do some work with the supervision of the specialists (possibly, dismantling the barns) and 3) help and other community work especially cooking. Similar types of communities in each country and networking (Social farms)
This project is actively working for SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDGs 10 (Reduced Inequalities), organized together with Kyodo Gakusha since 1998, a cooperative community where 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. Shintoku farm has 60 ha of land and 60 inhabitants including kids. Their cheese got the 1st prize in the global contest! The workcamp has been stopped since 2020 and revived this time! *Outcome of this workcamp: The workcamps have greatly shared the spirit of the community and also do some that is hardly done by their daily work such as construction of sheep farm, irrigation ditch, etc. In 2019, 7 vols. from 5 countries helped to harvest the vegetables, run the cafe, etc. and had a wonderful exchange in the school visit. Please see the long term goal of this project as "Local SDGs" at https://www.slideshare.net/nice-workcamp/n0-68540773 (only Japanese for the moment, but you can at least enjoy the pictures!)
Shintoku town is an agricultural country side with big scale of nature and farms, at the foot of "Mt. Milk" and located in the center of Hokkaido island, near Obihiro and 120 km east of Sapporo. -20 degree in winter and 20 in summer. School visit, exchange and birthmonth parties, lecture and discussion with the community leader who has very big visions, etc.
Houses in the community (female and male are separated). Meals will be cooked by volunteers together with the community people by turns. Sleeping bag is necessary.
Interest and motivation to work and live in this type of community. Respect to their life. English (Japanese is also welcomed!)
The nearest airport is Obihiro for domestic and Sapporo (CTS) for international flights. From CTS to the meeting point (Shintoku station), it takes 2 hours by express train. Volunteers need to arrive at Shin-Chitose airport by 11:00 on Aug. 28 and can leave there after 18:00 on Sep. 08.
Lunaria - Associazione di Promozione Sociale
Via Buonarroti 51, 00185 - ROMA
+39 06 88 41 880
+39 06 84 24 2 487
+39 06 88 41 859
CF 96192500583
P.Iva 06139821000
Lunaria ha ottenuto nel 2021 i label di organizzazione accreditata nell'ambito dei programmi Erasmus+ e Corpo Europeo di Solidarietà. E' stata premiata come Best Practice europea nel 2015 e nel 2017 per i progetti di Capacity Building con paesi partner. Né la Commissione Europea né le le sue Agenzie sono responsabili del contenuto del sito dell'associazione.