Let's preserve way of traditional Japanese life in mountain area!

Maki(Nagano) / More than 1 month from Apr. 1 to Nov. 30

Volunteer information
Code NICE-LI-MK21
Project name Maki
Location Nagano
Periond More than 1 month from Apr. 1 to Nov. 30
Type Agriculture/Social project
Capacity Max. 2 volunteers
Background This project is actively working for SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDGs 10 (Reduced Inequalities), organized together with Maki Farm of Kyodo Gakusha (KG) since 2007. KG is an NPO running 5 organic farming communities in Japan where people with various backgrounds such as mentally disadvantaged, those who want to learn agriculture, etc. to change our society from competitive to cooperative. Maki Farm has 5-10 members and is located in a very isolated area (no access for cars and people have to walk 4 km in the mountains!), so once it became an abandoned village in the 1970s. The documentary movie about Maki Farm made in 2015: http://arayashiki-movie.jp/en/.
Outcome In 2020, 8 vols. greatly contributed to harvest of popatoes, renovation of irrigation, etc. that were difficult to be done only by the farm since they are busy for the daily routine work! There was also nice exchange between Community people and vols. Please see the long-term goal of this project as Local SDGs at (only Japanese for the moment, but you can at least enjoy the pictures!); https://www.slideshare.net/nice-workcamp/e4-54764427
Work Volunteers will help their organic farming (weeding in rice and vegetable fields, planting vegetables, taking care of goats and hens, etc.) and also carry the things from the town, renovate the trails, help their housework, etc. Be ready to work for quite a long time (05:30-18:00 with some brakes) and tough.
Location In the deep mountain. Very isolated, but beautiful village near the Northern Japan Alps. About 900 meters above sea level. Something remained here that most of Japanese areas have lost in modernization.
Accommodation Building a straw roof (traditional house in Japan!) in the farm, cooking as a group by turn (Vegetarian is possible if it's prepared by volunteer self.)
Map
Recruitment information
Other activities Sightseeing, short trips (hot springs, famous places here). Trekking.
Other As of 2020 Nov., it seems impossible to host the vols. from abroad. NICE and the local host will make decision to organize or cancel the project around 1 month before each start though the project can be cancelled even after that depending on the situation of COVID-19. NICE cannot compensate any damage on volunteers by this and strongly recommend them to book the flights as late as possible. Short term workcamps will be organized in 06/30-07/11, 08/19-08/25 and Oct. and the mid term vols. are expected to support to organize them.
Requirement Some levels of Japanese speaking skills as well as high motivation to learn and speak Japanese language is needed. High motivation to work hard and to simple mountain life in the isolated area. Respect for the local cultures and way of the local organization. Agriculture skills or construction can be useful! A motivation letter is needed.