Nishiwaga | NICE-24S-0820B | 2024-08-20 - 2024-08-29 | ENVI,ELDE | Age: 18 - 99

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.

Work: 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.

Accomodation and food: 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.

Location: NishiwagatownIwateprefecture

Location and Leisure: 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.

Airport: TYO

Train/Bus station: 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.

Requirements: Interest in community development, cultural exchange with a local community, and agriculture. Ability to ride a bicycle. 9,000 JPY (55 EUR by the rate on 2023 Nov. 18th) 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.

Language: eng

Extra Fee: 9000 JPY

Volunteers will get knowledge of history and culture of Nishiwaga and have time for sharing ideas how to activate the depopulated area.