Short-term (2 to 4 weeks) "study/educational" projects in Japan

This project is organied together with various local groups including a forestry cooperative and a youth group. Hoshino village lies in beautiful mountains in Fukuoka Prefecture and has won 1st prize in a national contest as the best place to stargaze in Japan. Despite this natural heritage, in common with many rural areas in Japan, it suffers from depopulation of youth to the cities. The aim of the project is to help conserve nature and activate the village. Volunteers will work in the forests, cutting bushes, clearing footpaths etc. and also make visits to schools to raise awareness of conservation issues amongst children. A homestay is also planned.

In a community centre. Sleeping bag required.

Hoshino village lies in the mountains, about 50km south of Fukuoka.

Fukuoka (2 hrs by train and car) or Osaka (6 hrs by bullet train, 12 hrs by overnight bus)

Volunteers should have an interest in nature conservation and be able to adapt to a simple lifestyle! The group will be made up of 5 Japanese and 5 international volunteers.

This project is organised together with the Educational Committee of the Shiojiri city government. The Elementary schools in the city have occasional basic English classes, but students have very few opportunities to interact with foreign people, especially non-native speakers of English. The aim of this project is to organise a cultural programme to introduce the volunteer's culture to Elementary kids. Volunteers will prepare the programme and visit 7-10 Elementary schools to interact with the students through games, songs, dance, cooking, sports etc.

A public building. Sleeping bag required.

Shiojiri is located in the centre of Nagano Prefecture which lies north west of Tokyo. It is surrounded by the beautiful "Japanese Alps" and not so hot in summer.

Tokyo - 3-4 hours by highway bus

Volunteers must be strongly motivated to share their culture and should like children very much. The group will be made up of 4 Japanese and 8 international volunteers.

This project is organised together with the Japan National Trust. It has been protecting Mt. Makihata, a 1,967m peak in Niigata Prefecture, for 30 years. It is a popular tourist spot and has been damaged by their use, although it's still very beautiful. Volunteers will carry out a variety of conservation activities including maintaining nature trails, reviving ponds, collecting seeds etc. Volunteers will visit schools to raise awareness and also help farmers to harvest vegetables.

Tents and a mountain hut for the first week and in a community centre for the second week. Sleeping bag required.

Mountainous, agricultural town about 170km north of Tokyo. Famous for the best sake and rice! The 1st week is a kind of paradise with millions of stars!

Tokyo - 2 hours by bullet train or 4 hours by slow train

Volunteers should be physically tough (capable of climbing a mountain), and also like children. The group will be made up of 5 Japanese and 5 international volunteers.