Volunteers: 15
Age: over 18
Language: English / Japanese
Host organization: Higashi Shirakawa-mura Board of Education
Airport : Central Japan International Airport
Station: JR Higashi Shirakawaguchi station
Background:
Higashi Shirakawa-Mura Board of Education offers this program in cooperation with Nagoya University of Commerce & Business Administration. They are celebrating 13th anniversary this year. Every summer season, they invite international volunteers to this small village which may not be a well-known tourist spot, but nevertheless, has many attractive things and places to visit. It is a great opportunity for volunteers to enjoy true traditional pastoral scene and life in Japan!
Work:
1. Cultural exchange activity with junior high school students: Volunteers will visit a junior high school to have cultural exchange with 9th graders (14-15). For instance, you will learn Japanese traditional Origami or Calligraphy and play sports together. Activities are designed to help the students their mind and understand the international society.
2. Helping with kids program for elementary school students: Volunteers will join the Canoeing program that canoes along the river nearby. (6 -11).
3. Helping with events: Volunteers will help local people organizing a summer dance festival and other events.
4. Experiencing the local industry, timber industry: Volunteers will participate in the activities such as tree thinning, pruning and land-cleaning. You will work with people in their 30s to 60s.
5. Cleaning cultural facilities: Volunteers will clean up shrines etc. You will work with people in 60s to 80s.
6. Helping NPO, Aozora Kenbun Juku: Volunteers will interact with children and staff and work on maintenance of hiking trails. Maintenance of roads includes thinning and cleaning sidewalks. Volunteers will help organizing a camp for children of 6 to 12 years old.
Accommodation:
Volunteers will be accommodated in the office of Kanda Shrine.
Facilities:
There is no bed, so a sleeping bag is necessary. There are a washer, a kitchen, and a shower room. Library where you can use Internet and also a small shop are located close by.
Meals:
Volunteers will be expected to cook by themselves. Food stuff will be provided.
What to bring:
Please bring a sleeping bag, clothing suitable for activities, such as long sleeved items, pants, a hat/cap, cotton gloves, and sneakers durable for outdoor works. Towels and a water bottle/canteen are necessary. Sandals and short pants are not appropriate for the type of work here. If you love fishing, please bring fishing tackle.
Note:
Basic Japanese knowledge would be helpful for communicating with local people. Get yourself ready for experience the unique culture and customs in Higashi Shirakawa-Mura.
Location:
Higashi Shirakawa-Mura is located in the central part of Japan, near the Hida Mountains which are very famous for its beautiful scenery among climbers and tourists. Also, volunteers may have a
chance to visit "Shirakawago", a newly registered “World Heritage”.
URL：Higashi Shirakawa-Mura Town Office: http://www.vill.higashishirakawa.lg.jp/
Remarks:
Works planned in this program consist of a lot of outdoor activities in the forest. Please be prepared for the outdoor work in terms of clothing and belongings.
Occasionally, volunteers have to work under the sun with extreme heat of the summer. A hat/cap, water bottle and a bug repellent are useful. Please put the volunteer work on your highest priority. Five hours a day, five days a week. Please be reminded also, that the villagers are not used to seeing people from overseas and they may look at you with curiosity, but no offence. Schedule is fixed including sight-seeing, free-time and day-offs.