Supporting a local festival related to Shintoism to activate local people and to hand over traditions to the next generation!

Work camp information
Code NICE-23-1004A
Project name Misato
Location Shimane, Japan
Period 2023/10/11～10/24
Type FEST,ENVI
Volunteers 12 members
Background This project is actively working for SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) and SDGs 15 (Life on Land), organized together with the local group, “executive committee of Light and Tradition festival” since 2011. Recently, aging and depopulation of the area is getting very serious as well as many other rural villages in Japan. They expect the workcamp to activate local traditional festivals related to Shintoism, which is Japanese traditional religion. This event is combined with 2 events called “Bamboo Lantern Festival” and "Gaku-uchi" which locals play Japanese drums and flute with walking around the village to wish for the productiveness of grain. Local people want us to know their traditional cultures to be succeeded to the next generation. *Outcome of this workcamp; local people proposed to invite volunteers to their own house for staying as cultural exchange or joining in Japanese drum practice to touch local culture.
Work Volunteers will mainly prepare and join the local festival. Cut bamboos to make lanterns and some small tools to be used in the festival. Volunteers will also need to practice traditional music in every evening with local people to play and walk around the village at the festival. Volunteers will also organize a program in the elementary school to promoting both inter-cultural learning and also, the festival to the children.
Study theme You can get the knowledge about Japanese traditional festivals and customs.
Location Misato-town is located in the middle of the Shimane prefecture, famous for Iwami silver mine as a world heritage. There is hot spa, some famous shrine as origin of Shintoism.
Terminal The nearest int'l airport is Kansai (Osaka). From Osaka to the meeting point in Shimane, it takes 6.5 hours by highway bus and train. Volunteers are recommended to arrive there one day before workcamp starts. Hiroshima airport is also available by take a flight from Kansai airport, it takes about 4 hours to the meeting point by train and bus. Volunteers need to arrive at the meeting point by 13:00 on 4th and can leave there after 13:00 on 17th.
Accommodation Local community center. Meals will be cooked by volunteers by turns. There is a shower room.
Other activities Japanese Shinto music and dance, home staying, lecture about traditional cultures.
Requirement Interested in Japanese old culture, positive attitude to communication with local people
Language English(Japaneseis also welcomed!)
Other None
Map
Participation　fee
What is included int he participation fee

Participation fee(domestic)(Click to see table for details *Japanese only.)

6,000 JPY (44 USD by the rate on 2023 Feb. 24th) 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.
What is NOT included in the participation fee

Transportation expenses

Due to meeting and breaking up at the venue, you will need to use a train, bus, or plane to reach the meeting place by yourself.
Tickets will be arranged by yourself.

Other personal expenses

○Free travel expenses before ／after participation（Free for transportation, food, accommodation,admission, marenals,etc. There is a big difference depending on the person.）
○Expenses for free time during the participation period（Free for transportation, sweet, alchol drinks, souvenirs, admission,etc. Usually it is about thousand yen.）