Misato | NICE-24S-1009A | 2024-10-09 - 2024-10-22 | FEST,ENVI | Age: 18 - 99

This project is actively working for SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) and SDGs 15 (Life on Land), organized together with the local group, “executive committee of Light and Tradition festival” since 2011. Recently, aging and depopulation of the area is getting very serious as well as many other rural villages in Japan. They expect the workcamp to activate local traditional festivals related to Shintoism, which is Japanese traditional religion. This event is combined with 2 events called “Bamboo Lantern Festival” and Gaku-uchi which locals play Japanese drums and flute with walking around the village to wish for the productiveness of grain. Local people want us to know their traditional cultures to be succeeded to the next generation. *Outcome of this workcamp; local people proposed to invite volunteers to their own house for staying as cultural exchange or joining in Japanese drum practice to touch local culture.

Work: Volunteers will mainly prepare and join the local festival. Cut bamboos to make lanterns and some small tools to be used in the festival. Volunteers will also need to practice traditional music in every evening with local people to play and walk around the village at the festival. Volunteers will also organize a program in the elementary school to promoting both inter-cultural learning and also, the festival to the children.

Accomodation and food: Local community center. Meals will be cooked by volunteers by turns. There is a shower room.

Location: MisatotownShimaneprefecture

Location and Leisure: Misato-town is located in the middle of the Shimane prefecture, famous for Iwami silver mine as a world heritage. There is hot spa, some famous shrine as origin of Shintoism.

Airport: KIX

Train/Bus station: The nearest int l airport is Kansai (Osaka). From Osaka to the meeting point in Shimane, it takes 6.5 hours by highway bus and train. Volunteers are recommended to arrive there one day before workcamp starts. Hiroshima airport is also available by take a flight from Kansai airport, it takes about 4 hours to the meeting point by train and bus. Volunteers need to arrive at the meeting point by 13:00 on first day and can leave there after 13:00 on last day.

Requirements: Interested in Japanese old culture, positive attitude to communication with local people. 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

Study theme: You can get the knowledge about Japanese traditional festivals and customs. Other activities: Japanese Shinto music and dance, home staying, lecture about traditional cultures.