Ogi | NICE-24S-0810A | 2024-08-10 - 2024-08-28 | ENVI,FEST | Age: 18 - 99

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!

Work: 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.

Accomodation and food: 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!

Location: SadoIslandNigata

Location and Leisure: 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.

Airport: TYO

Train/Bus station: 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.

Requirements: 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). 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: jap

Extra Fee: 9000 JPY

Volunteers get knowledge and skill about making Soba and playing the Japanese drum. Also, the basic knowledge of the Japanese language and local culture.