1. Summary: OEP has just got the best award among all the nominated communities in Japan by the natioanl
government for revitalization of rural areas!
This is the only International Family Workcamp in Japan, in a beautiful mountain village. A lot of
families have had a happy time since 2013!
2. Background: Organized together with Ohara Eco Project (OEP) and Katsuyama city government since 2009.
There were 600 inhabitants in Ohara village with 90 houses, but now only 1 elder! OEP was
founded by the Foresters cooperative and local people in 2006 and have rehabilitated 3 houses
of cultural heritage. Depopulation problem is serious in most of mountain parts in Japan and
many fields and forests are abandoned, so we will try to improve the situation by voluntary
power!
3. Work: We will 1) help to renovate the old house by carrying the stuff, changing the floor, etc., 2) do
other work for the community (e.g., reviving the abandon fields, chopping the fire woods,
maintaining forest pathes ) No need to work so hard, don’t worry, but we still need you to have
high motivation to work!. Some of adult vols. may also help the children enjoy very rich and
deep nature of mountains, river, etc.
4. Accommodation: : Renovated house (traditional house!). Meals will be cooked by volunteers by turns. Sleeing
bag is NOT necessary.
5. Study theme: Volunteers get knowledge about actions for developing local village. Also the knowledge of the
Japanese culture. We will also have time for discussion about “Family life in each country”.
6. Other activities: Exchange parties, visit to the Dinosaurs Museum, excursion and trekking, etc.
7. Location: About 200 km north east of Osaka. Katsuyama is an agricultural city and famous for dinosaurs
discovery and Ohara is located at 500 a.s.l. and famous for deep snow (4-5 meters) in winter!
8. Terminal: Komatsu. From Osaka, it takes 3.5 hours by express train. From Tokyo, 4.5 hours by express
train/ 8 hours by highway bus (For Narita/Haneda airport, you need to arrive by 22th afternoon/
can leave there after 30th noon.)
9. Requirement: Only families (Children should be 6-12 years old). Respect to the local culture and way of the
local organization!
10. Participation fee: 10,000 JPY per 1 child (6-12 years old) to be paid on the arrivals
11. Language: English (Japanese is also welcomed!)
12. Other