The project is held in two areas in Mimasaka City, Shouou (29th July-11th August) and Nagi(11th August-26th August).-Preparations in local festivals,-Agricultural work, attending culture exchange events. -Help some manual work at local commercial stores such as café, Soba restaurant, beef production, toy shop, fruit shop. Some activities are involved with local children. -Experience Japanese cultural activities like ‘Zazen'(zen meditation) at temple.Nagi area (Youtube video) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2kG_-sEgbfM#t=29

Each volunteer will stay separately in a local host family's house. Volunteers should follow house rules such as "Curfew" at 6:00 PM every day. Bedding will be provided. There are a washer, a kitchen, a lavatory and a bathroom. Internet may not be available depending on the family. Please always ask your host family when you use, a washer or a kitchen, etc. You may need to do the laundry by yourself or your laundry will be washed together with family's and be asked to help with it. Please be flexible and helpful. Three meals a day will be provided. A volunteer who has an allergy (or preference) in wheat, meat or fish can not be accepted because those are often served in a Japanese meal and a family does not prepare meals by individual request. A volunteer is also expected to eat rice, miso soup, fish (sometimes raw) as well as meat (chicken, pork and beef) on a daily basis without any problem

Mimasaka-city (http://kanko.city.mimasaka.lg.jp/ ) is famous for beautiful landscapes and hot springs. The most notable sightseeing spot is the birthplace of Musashi Miyamoto (1584~1645), the strongest swords man handling two swords at the same time. Hayashino Station is located about one and half hours by train (JR Kishin line) from Himeji city in Hyogo prefecture. Their landmark Himeji Castle was designated as a national treasure in 1931 and the World Cultural Heritage in 1993.

1. Japanese language (conversational level) is required (we will check the level on the motivation letter) 2. Every volunteer must be able to ride on a bicycle for 5 km (sometimes up to 20 km) a day. A volunteer is expected to be physical strong and tough under the strong summer sunlight. 3. No volunteer is accepted if he/she has a strong allergy in cats, dogs or house dust 4. It is required that volunteers should prepare and bring things you can perform/display at an international exchange event. Pictures, CD, books, magazines, toys, games or snacks of your country are suggested. You can have your own booth, display them and give presentation about your country at this event. Also, please bring home countries' recipes and ingredients. 20 more people will come to enjoy this event with International volunteer5. A couple is not allowed at all. We accept one volunteer from each organization6. A motivation letter (more than 10 sentences long) is required. Please include your interest, motivation, experience and strength of yourself both in English and Japanese. Clothes suitable for activities, such as T-shirts, pants, and sneakers. Long-sleeved shirts and a hat/cap, sun glasses are a must. In addition to clothing, please bring toiletries, towels, raincoat, medicine (for cold, painkiller) and other things you need for your daily life. Rain boots are needed only those who foot is over 10 inchRegarding the schedule on Sundays, please ask your host family if they have any plan made for the day before you make your own schedules. Keep in mind that you are strongly expected to spend time with your host family on weekends. Please do not make any plan with your friends on weekends without agreeing with your host family in advance. A volunteer needs at least 30,000 JPY in cash if she wants to go sightseeing on free-day.

18-25

Mimasaka,okayama

English

KIX: Kansai (Osaka, Japan)Vegetarian food will be available