Mid-term (1 to 6 months) "environmental" projects in Japan

Project: 

This is the first Medium Term Volunteering project in collaboration with the local people, Shokubutsu Shigen No Chikara (“Natural Resource
Power”) is a local non-profit organization (NPO) which supports the natural ecosystem cycles by promoting the regeneration and rebirth of land forests and sea forests. It has hosted international workcamps almost every year since 1992 and has had a significant impact on the process of creating forests from reclaimed land. This year, the organization will continue its work in forest reconstruction, environmental education, and agricultural work, and it will continue to develop regional cultural activities.

Work: 

The area has been affected by deforestation of bamboo thickets and the production of bamboo charcoal. The project aims for cyclical environmental preservation within the affected areas. The work involves helping with existing environmental education projects for middle school students. Participation in the international workcamp in February.

Accommodation: 

Local House. Meals will be made at the site of the project, in rotating shifts among NICE Program group members.

Location: 

Minamata city is located in southern Kumamoto prefecture in Kyushu, one of the four main islands of Japan. It faces a beautiful semi-closed sea called Shiranui-kai and has some gorgeous natural scenery.

Travel terminal: 

From Osaka, 3 hours by airplane and bus. From Tokyo, 4 hours by airplane and bus.

Leisure Activities: 

Agricultural Assistance Program (Harvesting paper mulberry trees, citrus fruits, onions, etc.), Ocean life investigation, Environmental education, etc.

Skills Required: 

Speaking some Japanese. Motivation to learn and speak Japanese language!

* IMPORTANT!! If you want to finish the project in a different period (either shorter or longer), please choose among the following dates and clearly write on your application form;
07/01 (2012), 25/02 (2012), 15/03 (2012)

Project: 

Organized together with is ‘Akame no Mori wo Mamoru kai’, a local environmental NPO, since 1998. In an area between Osaka and Nagoya, there were plans for a golf course and disposal of industrial garbage, but the local community has stopped them with the ‘Woods Trust’ movement. The group was formed in 1996 to collect donations to buy and protect the land, to build an eco-resort to enjoy nature, to maintain forests, to create a pond for dragonflies, etc…

Work : 

We will do various work to care of the forest such as cutting trees & branches, maintaining the footpaths, etc… We will also help to organize some events (e.g., to collect edible wild plants, nature observation) in their field and to open up new projects (apiculture, biomass energy etc.).

Accommodation: 

The pension named ‘Eco Resort Akame’.Cooking done by vols.

Location: 

About 60 km east of Osaka. There are famous falls nearby that many hikers visit. The climate in this season is relatively cold; so don't forget to bring warm clothes.

Transport: 

From Osaka, 1 hour by train from each. From Tokyo, 4 hours by bullet train and 10 hours by bus

SR: 

Speaking good Japanese, strong motivation to work with the host, respect to the local custom and life, open mind and flexibility.
* IMPORTANT!! If you want to finish the project in other period (either shorter or longer), please choose among the following dates and clearly write on your application form; 02/ 09, 30/09, 22/11, 20/12, 21/02

Project: 

The Ohda projects are organized together with the ‘Organization of Green and Water' (founded in 1992) since 2011. This organization was established to advocate the importance of the prairie and bamboo forest in our ecosystem. They work around Iwami Ginzan, a silver mine, which was registered as a World Heritage site in 2007. The organization wants to care for the forests and prairies. It is important to continue to care for our forests after we have disrupted the ecosystem. Extension of bamboo forests is a serious problem in Japan.

Work: 

We will do various work to maintain and protect the forests such as cutting bamboos and grasses, burning grasses, etc… Empowering youth not in emplyment, education of training(communication with them, they can get confidence by the experiences of communicating with foreign people, to talk, to do activities).

Study theme: 

Similar kinds of activities of forest care, protection and youth empowerment in each country. Bring some info.

Accommodation: 

The house named ‘Yukimi-ru', it is the center of NEET youth members. Pocket money is 20,000 yen per month.

Location: 

About 250 km northwest of Osaka. Near the Sea of Japan.

Travel: 

Osaka (9 hours by train). From Tokyo, 6 hours by bullet train or 12 hours by midnight bus.

Liesure Activities: 

Visiting school, exchange parties, home stay.

Special Rmarks: 

Speaking some Japanese! Interested in nature conservation. Motivation to learn and speak Japanese language!!

* IMPORTANT!! If you want to finish the project in other period (either shorter or longer), please choose among the following dates and clearly write on your application form; 10/06, 08/07, 02/09

Application procedure: 

If you apply for LMTI which requires speaking good Japanese, you will need to call the NICE office to have a telephone interview. Calling date/ time and the phone number will be informed by NICE to your sending NGO after NICE will have received your application form.

Soon after having got the answer from the local host, NICE will inform your sending NGO if you have been accepted or not by e-mail. It usually takes 1 - 4 weeks.

One month before the project starts, volunteers will receive an Information Sheet giving details of the project, what to bring, the meeting point, how to get there, etc.

Volunteers need to pay the travel cost to/ from the projects. Meals and accommodation during the projects are provided by NICE &the local partners. There is a Program fee of 10.000 Yen per month to be paid by the volunteer on arrival. However some projects in Japan provide pocket money.

If the final destination of your flight is not Tokyo/ Osaka, you need to book the flight to make a stop-over in Tokyo or Osaka to join the Preparation and Evaluation Seminars. You need to arrive at Tokyo/ Osaka the day before the Seminar starts. It is possible to stay in the houses of NICE members if you ask us early enough. Volunteers should not expect so much time for sightseeing during the projects, so if you want to do it, please take enough days before and or after the projects.

You can come to Japan as a tourist without a visa from most of western/ central European countries, USA, Canada, Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Australia, NZ, and many Latin American countries. As a tourist usually, you can stay in Japan for 3 months. Volunteers from the UK and Ireland can stay up to six months. One year working visas are another possibility.

NICE organizes compulsory Preparation and Evaluation Seminars for LMTVs. These take place over three days with 20-40 participants. During these Seminars the volunteers will share positive/ negative impact of their service to both local communities and their own personal development. They will also share the future proposals to their projects as well as their next life plan with filling in the evaluation form and if possible, making the Project report with some pictures. The retiring volunteers have the opportunity to instruct their replacements.

Project: 

The host organization is ‘Akame no Mori wo Mamoru kai', a local environmental NGO, since 1998. In an area between Osaka and Nagoya, there were plans for a golf course and disposal of industrial garbage, but the local community has stopped them with the ‘Woods Trust' movement. The group was formed in 1996 to collect donations to buy and protect the land, to build an eco-resort to enjoy nature, to maintain forests, to create a pond for dragonflies, etc…

Work: 

We will do a variety of different work to care of the forest such as cutting trees, cutting branches, maintaining the footpaths, etc… They organize some events (Eg. To collect edible wild plants, nature observation) in their Field. They also open up new projects(apiculture, biomass energy etc.) We will help their activities.

Study theme: 

Local participation to protect nature. Bring some info.!

Accommodation: 

The pension named ‘Eco Resort Akame'.

Location: 

About 60 km east of Osaka. There are famous falls nearby that many hikers visit. The climate in this season is relatively cold; so don't forget to bring warm clothes.

Terminal: 

Osaka or Nagoya (1 hour by train from both).

Leisure Activities: 

Excursion, exchange parties, visiting schools, exchange with elderly people of the eco-resort, etc…

Special Remarks: 

Speaking good Japanese, strong motivation to work with the host, respect to the local custom and life, open mind and flexibility.

* IMPORTANT!! If you want to finish the project in other period (either shorter or longer), please choose among the following dates and clearly write on your application form; 10/06, 08/07, 02/09

If you apply for LMTI which requires speaking good Japanese, you will need to call the NICE office to have a telephone interview. Calling date/ time and the phone number will be informed by NICE to your sending NGO after NICE will have received your application form.

Soon after having got the answer from the local host, NICE will inform your sending NGO if you have been accepted or not by e-mail. It usually takes 1 - 4 weeks.

One month before the project starts, volunteers will receive an Information Sheet giving details of the project, what to bring, the meeting point, how to get there, etc.

Volunteers need to pay the travel cost to/ from the projects. Meals and accommodation during the projects are provided by NICE &the local partners. There is a Program fee of 10.000 Yen per month to be paid by the volunteer on arrival. However some projects in Japan provide pocket money.

If the final destination of your flight is not Tokyo/ Osaka, you need to book the flight to make a stop-over in Tokyo or Osaka to join the Preparation and Evaluation Seminars. You need to arrive at Tokyo/ Osaka the day before the Seminar starts. It is possible to stay in the houses of NICE members if you ask us early enough. Volunteers should not expect so much time for sightseeing during the projects, so if you want to do it, please take enough days before and or after the projects.

You can come to Japan as a tourist without a visa from most of western/ central European countries, USA, Canada, Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Australia, NZ, and many Latin American countries. As a tourist usually, you can stay in Japan for 3 months. Volunteers from the UK and Ireland can stay up to six months. One year working visas are another possibility.

These take place over three days with 20-40 participants. During these Seminars the volunteers will share positive/ negative impact of their service to both local communities and their own personal development. They will also share the future proposals to their projects as well as their next life plan with filling in the evaluation form and if possible, making the Project report with some pictures. The retiring volunteers have the opportunity to instruct their replacements.

Project: 

Organized together with is ‘Akame no Mori wo Mamoru kai’, a local environmental NPO, since 1998. In an area between Osaka and Nagoya, there were plans for a golf course and disposal of industrial garbage, but the local community has stopped them with the ‘Woods Trust’ movement. The group was formed in 1996 to collect donations to buy and protect the land, to build an eco-resort to enjoy nature, to maintain forests, to create a pond for dragonflies, etc…

Work : 

We will do various work to care of the forest such as cutting trees & branches, maintaining the footpaths, etc… We will also help to organize some events (e.g., to collect edible wild plants, nature observation) in their field and to open up new projects (apiculture, biomass energy etc.).

Accommodation: 

The pension named ‘Eco Resort Akame’.Cooking done by vols.

Location: 

About 60 km east of Osaka. There are famous falls nearby that many hikers visit. The climate in this season is relatively cold; so don't forget to bring warm clothes.

Transport: 

From Osaka, 1 hour by train from each. From Tokyo, 4 hours by bullet train and 10 hours by bus

SR: 

Speaking good Japanese, strong motivation to work with the host, respect to the local custom and life, open mind and flexibility.
* IMPORTANT!! If you want to finish the project in other period (either shorter or longer), please choose among the following dates and clearly write on your application form; 02/ 09, 30/09, 22/11, 20/12, 21/02

Project: 

The Ohda projects are organized together with the ‘Organization of Green and Water' (founded in 1992) since 2011. This organization was established to advocate the importance of the prairie and bamboo forest in our ecosystem. They work around Iwami Ginzan, a silver mine, which was registered as a World Heritage site in 2007. The organization wants to care for the forests and prairies. It is important to continue to care for our forests after we have disrupted the ecosystem. Extension of bamboo forests is a serious problem in Japan.

Work: 

We will do various work to maintain and protect the forests such as cutting bamboos and grasses, burning grasses, etc… Empowering youth not in emplyment, education of training(communication with them, they can get confidence by the experiences of communicating with foreign people, to talk, to do activities).

Study theme: 

Similar kinds of activities of forest care, protection and youth empowerment in each country. Bring some info.

Accommodation: 

The house named ‘Yukimi-ru', it is the center of NEET youth members. Pocket money is 20,000 yen per month.

Location: 

About 250 km northwest of Osaka. Near the Sea of Japan.

Travel: 

Osaka (9 hours by train). From Tokyo, 6 hours by bullet train or 12 hours by midnight bus.

Liesure Activities: 

Visiting school, exchange parties, home stay.

Special Rmarks: 

Speaking some Japanese! Interested in nature conservation. Motivation to learn and speak Japanese language!!

* IMPORTANT!! If you want to finish the project in other period (either shorter or longer), please choose among the following dates and clearly write on your application form; 10/06, 08/07, 02/09

Application procedure: 

If you apply for LMTI which requires speaking good Japanese, you will need to call the NICE office to have a telephone interview. Calling date/ time and the phone number will be informed by NICE to your sending NGO after NICE will have received your application form.

Soon after having got the answer from the local host, NICE will inform your sending NGO if you have been accepted or not by e-mail. It usually takes 1 - 4 weeks.

One month before the project starts, volunteers will receive an Information Sheet giving details of the project, what to bring, the meeting point, how to get there, etc.

Volunteers need to pay the travel cost to/ from the projects. Meals and accommodation during the projects are provided by NICE &the local partners. There is a Program fee of 10.000 Yen per month to be paid by the volunteer on arrival. However some projects in Japan provide pocket money.

If the final destination of your flight is not Tokyo/ Osaka, you need to book the flight to make a stop-over in Tokyo or Osaka to join the Preparation and Evaluation Seminars. You need to arrive at Tokyo/ Osaka the day before the Seminar starts. It is possible to stay in the houses of NICE members if you ask us early enough. Volunteers should not expect so much time for sightseeing during the projects, so if you want to do it, please take enough days before and or after the projects.

You can come to Japan as a tourist without a visa from most of western/ central European countries, USA, Canada, Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Australia, NZ, and many Latin American countries. As a tourist usually, you can stay in Japan for 3 months. Volunteers from the UK and Ireland can stay up to six months. One year working visas are another possibility.

NICE organizes compulsory Preparation and Evaluation Seminars for LMTVs. These take place over three days with 20-40 participants. During these Seminars the volunteers will share positive/ negative impact of their service to both local communities and their own personal development. They will also share the future proposals to their projects as well as their next life plan with filling in the evaluation form and if possible, making the Project report with some pictures. The retiring volunteers have the opportunity to instruct their replacements.

Project: 

The host organization is ‘Akame no Mori wo Mamoru kai', a local environmental NGO, since 1998. In an area between Osaka and Nagoya, there were plans for a golf course and disposal of industrial garbage, but the local community has stopped them with the ‘Woods Trust' movement. The group was formed in 1996 to collect donations to buy and protect the land, to build an eco-resort to enjoy nature, to maintain forests, to create a pond for dragonflies, etc…

Work: 

We will do a variety of different work to care of the forest such as cutting trees, cutting branches, maintaining the footpaths, etc… They organize some events (Eg. To collect edible wild plants, nature observation) in their Field. They also open up new projects(apiculture, biomass energy etc.) We will help their activities.

Study theme: 

Local participation to protect nature. Bring some info.!

Accommodation: 

The pension named ‘Eco Resort Akame'.

Location: 

About 60 km east of Osaka. There are famous falls nearby that many hikers visit. The climate in this season is relatively cold; so don't forget to bring warm clothes.

Terminal: 

Osaka or Nagoya (1 hour by train from both).

Leisure Activities: 

Excursion, exchange parties, visiting schools, exchange with elderly people of the eco-resort, etc…

Special Remarks: 

Speaking good Japanese, strong motivation to work with the host, respect to the local custom and life, open mind and flexibility.

* IMPORTANT!! If you want to finish the project in other period (either shorter or longer), please choose among the following dates and clearly write on your application form; 10/06, 08/07, 02/09

If you apply for LMTI which requires speaking good Japanese, you will need to call the NICE office to have a telephone interview. Calling date/ time and the phone number will be informed by NICE to your sending NGO after NICE will have received your application form.

Soon after having got the answer from the local host, NICE will inform your sending NGO if you have been accepted or not by e-mail. It usually takes 1 - 4 weeks.

One month before the project starts, volunteers will receive an Information Sheet giving details of the project, what to bring, the meeting point, how to get there, etc.

Volunteers need to pay the travel cost to/ from the projects. Meals and accommodation during the projects are provided by NICE &the local partners. There is a Program fee of 10.000 Yen per month to be paid by the volunteer on arrival. However some projects in Japan provide pocket money.

If the final destination of your flight is not Tokyo/ Osaka, you need to book the flight to make a stop-over in Tokyo or Osaka to join the Preparation and Evaluation Seminars. You need to arrive at Tokyo/ Osaka the day before the Seminar starts. It is possible to stay in the houses of NICE members if you ask us early enough. Volunteers should not expect so much time for sightseeing during the projects, so if you want to do it, please take enough days before and or after the projects.

You can come to Japan as a tourist without a visa from most of western/ central European countries, USA, Canada, Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Australia, NZ, and many Latin American countries. As a tourist usually, you can stay in Japan for 3 months. Volunteers from the UK and Ireland can stay up to six months. One year working visas are another possibility.

These take place over three days with 20-40 participants. During these Seminars the volunteers will share positive/ negative impact of their service to both local communities and their own personal development. They will also share the future proposals to their projects as well as their next life plan with filling in the evaluation form and if possible, making the Project report with some pictures. The retiring volunteers have the opportunity to instruct their replacements.

Project: 

This is the first LMTV in collaboration with the local people, ‘Shokubutsu Shigen No Chikara' . Shokubutsu Shigen No Chikara ("Natural Resource Power") is a local non-profit organization (NPO) which supports the natural ecosystem cycles by promoting the regeneration and rebirth of land forests and sea forests. It has hosted international workcamps almost every year since 1992 and has had a significant impact on the process of creating forests from reclaimed land. This year, the organization will continue its work in forest reconstruction, environmental education, and agricultural work, and it will continue to develop regional cultural activities.

Work: 

The area has been affected by deforestation of bamboo thickets and the production of bamboo charcoal. The project aims for cyclical environmental preservation within the affected areas. The work involves helping with existing environmental education projects for middle school students. Participation in the international workcamp in February.

Accommodation: 

Local House. Meals will be made at the site of the project, in rotating shifts among NICE Program group members.

Location: 

Minamata city is located in southern Kumamoto prefecture in Kyushu, one of the four main islands of Japan. It faces a beautiful semi-closed sea called Shiranui-kai and has some gorgeous natural scenery.

Terminal: 

From Osaka, 3 hours by airplane and bus. From Tokyo, 4 hours by airplane and bus.

Leisure Activities: 

Agricultural Assistance Program (Harvesting paper mulberry trees, citrus fruits, onions, etc.) , Ocean life investigation, Environmental education etc.

Special Remarks: 

Speaking some Japanese! Motivation to learn and speak Japanese language!!

If you apply for LMTI which requires speaking good Japanese, you will need to call the NICE office to have a telephone interview. Calling date/ time and the phone number will be informed by NICE to your sending NGO after NICE will have received your application form.

Soon after having got the answer from the local host, NICE will inform your sending NGO if you have been accepted or not by e-mail. It usually takes 1 - 4 weeks.

One month before the project starts, volunteers will receive an Information Sheet giving details of the project, what to bring, the meeting point, how to get there, etc.

Volunteers need to pay the travel cost to/ from the projects. Meals and accommodation during the projects are provided by NICE &the local partners. There is a Program fee of 10.000 Yen per month to be paid by the volunteer on arrival. However some projects in Japan provide pocket money.

If the final destination of your flight is not Tokyo/ Osaka, you need to book the flight to make a stop-over in Tokyo or Osaka to join the Preparation and Evaluation Seminars. You need to arrive at Tokyo/ Osaka the day before the Seminar starts. It is possible to stay in the houses of NICE members if you ask us early enough. Volunteers should not expect so much time for sightseeing during the projects, so if you want to do it, please take enough days before and or after the projects.

You can come to Japan as a tourist without a visa from most of western/ central European countries, USA, Canada, Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Australia, NZ, and many Latin American countries. As a tourist usually, you can stay in Japan for 3 months. Volunteers from the UK and Ireland can stay up to six months. One year working visas are another possibility.

These take place over three days with 20-40 participants. During these Seminars the volunteers will share positive/ negative impact of their service to both local communities and their own personal development. They will also share the future proposals to their projects as well as their next life plan with filling in the evaluation form and if possible, making the Project report with some pictures. The retiring volunteers have the opportunity to instruct their replacements.