Akame 2 | NICE-25S-0811A | 2025-08-11 - 2025-08-21 | ENVI,KIDS | Age: 18 - 99

This project is actively working for SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDGs 15 (Life on Land), organized together with Akame no SATOYAMA wo Sodateru kai, a local environmental organization for conservation of SATOYAMA forest working in Nabari city since 1999. Because this area is relatively close to the big cities between Osaka and Nagoya, there were plans to build a golf field and a disposal center. However, the local people stopped those plans by collecting donations and buying the land. SATOYAMA needs to be maintained by humans for its biodiversity and water adjustment function. Our ancestors had protected and utilized the forest in an ecological and sustainable way, which has been neglected by modernization at many places in Japan.

Work: 1) Cutting down trees in the forest and carry them out so that SATOYAMA forest receives enough amount of sun light and will be kept in the healthy condition for biodiversity. You sometimes need to use blades and machineries under the supervision. 2) Supporting Kids camp. Work is quite hard from morning to evening. 3)Volunteers may take care of free-range raised chickens and slaughter old enough chickens for eating by themselves as well. Volunteers sometimes work with mentally/physically challenged people who work at the same place. Volunteers also will help organizing a 3-days summer kids camp.

Accomodation and food: Volunteers will stay in a volunteer house. Meals will be cooked by volunteers by turns. Sleeping bag is NO need. Depends on the amount of work and consideration for the environment, volunteers may take a shower once every two days.

Location: Mie

Location and Leisure: Workcamp is held in Kami-mitani area, Nabari city, Mie prefecture, about 60 km from Osaka. There are famous falls nearby that many hikers visit. Other activities - Hiking, cultural exchange parties, etc.

Train/Bus station: The nearest airport is KIX (Osaka) or Nagoya (NGO). To the meeting point, it will take about 2-3 hours by train from the both airports above. Volunteers need to arrive at the airport by 10:00 on 1st day and can leave there after 19:00 on the last day.

Requirements: Strong motivation and physical strength are highly needed. Motivation letter is required. Language - English (Japanese is also welcomed!)

Language: eng

Extra Fee: 0 JPY

Study theme - Volunteers will acquire the knowledge of conservation work in SATOYAMA forest. Participation fee - 9,000 JPY (54 EUR by the rate on 2024 Nov. 2nd) 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. Other - None