Gose | NICE-25L-GS01 | 2025-03-22 - 2025-06-15 | AGRI,ENVI | Age: 18 - 99

This project is actively working for SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDGs 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities),organized with Sugiura Farm since 2017 that engages in organic farming for pursuing food safety and an environmental-friendly society. The owner of this farm is Mr. Sugiura, who is the only a man taking care of 2 hectares of farmland abandoned by local people. The local people became too old to keep working on the farm. Mr. Sugiura cultivates, harvests crops, even makes fertilizer and processes the harvest into products. He is working not only for crops, but also for conserving the environment and the beautiful scenery of living fields in the countryside of Japan.

Work: Volunteers will engaged in terraced rice field conservation and pesticide-free agriculture in the devastated mountainous areas. 1) Management and harvesting of organic vegetables and rice. 2) Crop production in terraced rice paddies. 3) Restoration of deserted terraced rice paddies and abandoned farmland. 4) Planning and management of events to promote organic crops.

Accomodation and food: Volunteers stay at an old Japanese house next to the local host s. The kitchen and shower are shared with the local host. Volunteers cook by themselves. Smoking is not allowed. A cat and dog is kept around the house.

Location: Nara

Location and Leisure: It is located in Gose city, Nara pref. which is about 50 km southeast of Osaka. Other activities - Join the local events, many opportunities to learn the local wisdom, etc. Sightseeing, short trip (hot springs, temples and shrines).

Train/Bus station: The nearest airport is Osaka (KIX) or Nagoya (NGO). To the meeting point, it takes 2 hours by train from the both airports. However, volunteers need to join On Arrival and Evaluation Seminars in Osaka, so firstly should arrive at KIX by 08:00 on the starting day and can leave KIX after 18:00 on the ending day.

Requirements: High motivation to learn and speak Japanese language, to work hard with simple mountain life in a remote area. Respect for the local culture and way of the local organization. Interests in agriculture. Language - English and Japanese. The local host speaks English.

Language: eng

Extra Fee: 0 JPY

Study theme - Volunteers will acquire the knowledge of organic farming. Participation fee - 18,000 JPY (108 EUR by the rate on 2024 Nov. 3rd) per month till the 3rd month and 9,000 JPY per month from the 4th month of NICE Volunteers fee need to be paid in advance either by Card or PayPal. This is used for the project preparation and coordination such as the transportation of the camp leaders while the meals and the accommodation are provided by the local host by free. Odd days are counted as one month (e.g., 170 days are counted as 6 months). Other - The first and last 2 days are On Arrival and Evaluation Seminars in Osaka.