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NICE

Introduction
We welcome you to join our workcamps, sharing happy time and creating fresh new age together! All campsites have nice nature and warm people, so you will discover colorful and vigorous figures of Japan/ East Asia that is completely different from typical images you may have through media.
The common points of all workcamps are such as follows:
- Age limit: From 18 (No maximum): Some projects can sometimes accept younger vols.
- Language: English (Japanese is not necessary, but we welcome your trying!)
- Insurance: We provide small insurance only for accidents during workcamps IN JAPAN.
- Accommodations: Mostly, there're showers, kitchens and toilets and Sleeping bag is necessary.
- Study Part: All workcamps have it to learn, discuss and plan better local/ global future!

We recommend booking the flights as soon as being accepted!
Dont wait for the Information Sheets, otherwise you may miss economical flights!
In all the workcamps in Japan, volunteers will meet at the accommodations or the train stations, in the afternoon of the first day. And they finish in the afternoon of the last day.
Some projects are located quite far from the airports and it takes a long time by cheap ways. So, we advise volunteers to arrive at/ leave Japan at least a few days before/ after the Projects also because volunteers should not expect so much sightseeing during the projects. (If you want to do it, please do it before/ after the workcamps!)
And it is quite possible to stay in the houses of Japanese volunteers in the same workcamps or of other NICE members before/ after the workcamps! (For the details, wait for the infosheets!)

NICE15 Kodomo-mura 21/07-30/08 KIDS 3
Organized together since 98 with KODOMO-Art established in 1972. KODOMO-Art has organized "Kids Village" (Kodomo-mura) since 95, it is 10th anniversary years. They have a summer vacation program in 24/07-28/08 with about 60 kids aged 8-15 where they play, cook and live in the nature as they plan by themselves in order to grow their independence, sensitivity, group cooperation, and want to put global colors which should grow understanding and passion toward different cultures in those kids. We need to be ready to spend 24 hours with them for this period except some free days. W: We have an orientation to understand the aim and objective of its. In KV we help and live together with kids all the time such as supporting activities, teaching songs, sleeping and showing your culture, performance. Kids try to plan their own schedule themselves in KV, you need to respect their way!
Study Themes: Life of kids in each country and its activities. Bring some info!
Activities: Excursion, exchange parties, etc.
Accommodation: A community center, an elementary school and Tents, depending on places. Sleeping Bag is necessary! Volunteers will prepare their meals, but sometimes Meals are provided.
Location: Small village in the mountains, in the very center of Kyushu Island.
Terminal: From Osaka, 9 hours by bullet train or 12 hours by midnight bus.
Additional Qualifications: Those who love kids and try to speak/ understand Japanese language. Responsibilities, group cooperativeness and motivation are necessary! Specialist of games, songs, cooks & similar kind of experience is very welcome. Motivation letter is needed!

NICE16 Nosaka 24/07-04/08 AGRI/CULT 7
Organized together with a local group formed for this project by the local governmental staffs, and organic farmers since 99. In spite of such wonderful natural heritage, depopulation of especially youth is serious here as well as much other countryside in Japan. They would like to active this town through workcamps! The past workcamps had cooking party using safety vegetable and meats with local people and kids. This workcamp was quite successful, so they are expecting workcamps again!
Work We will be divided into 4-5 groups, help local farmers such as cutting bushes, harvesting vegetable and feeding the pigs. We will organize the cooking party with local people. You will cook your own countries food. We will also join in a local festival.
Study Themes: Effective cases to activate depopulated areas in each country. Bring some info!
Activities: Exchange parties, excursion, etc.
Accommodation: Traditional Japanese farmers house. Sleeping Bag is necessary! Volunteers will prepare their meals. If you like traditional style of Japanese architecture, this will make you happy every day.
Location: About 100 km east of Tokyo. Just 2 km from the beach, so you can enjoy swimming there! Nearest town is Choshi, famous as a big fishing port.
Terminal: Tokyo (30 minutes from Narita airport). From Tokyo, 2 hours by bus or 3 hours by normal train.
Additional Qualifications: Only for non-vegetarians since we will eat a lot of fish and meat! Motivation to work with them.

NICE17 Tondabayashi 24/07-07/08 ENVI 5
Organized together with a local NPO, Association to protect nature in Tondabayashi since 1999. Though 70% of Japanese lands are forests, huge forests are wasted since imported wood is much cheaper. Once we take care of forests, its better to take care of it for various ecology and keeping water than just to leave it. As most members of this NPO are middle-aged, they expect our participation in itself and also to involve more local youth. We will try to revive it in the global voluntary power!
Work: We will work at 2 different forests. In NICE Forest where we also often have weekend workcamps, we will cut and clear trees, make trails, cut grasses in an abandon rice field. We will also organize a weekend workcamp to involve local youth. Part of "Greening Asia".
Study Themes: Similar kind of activities in each country and Greening Asia. Bring some info!
Activities: Home stay, exchange parties, local festival, very big firework, experiencing Japanese cultures, etc.
Accommodation: A very simple log house which local people made by themselves in the first 5 days, then a very simple renovated house. Sleeping Bag is necessary! Volunteers will prepare their meals.
Location: Tondabayashi is 30 km south of Osaka, but full of nature near the workplace.
Terminal: Osaka
Additional Qualifications: Interest to protect nature and to exchange with people. Adaptable to enjoy simple life!

NICE18 Kuromatsunai 25/07-15/08 ENVI/KIDS 3
Organized together with Buna-no-mori Shizen Gakko (nature school with beech forests) since 03. BSG was started in 1998 to promote quality and quantity of ecological education for kids and run various kinds of kids programs. They have a summer vacation program in 28/07-16/08 with about 20-25 kids aged 8-15 where they enjoy canoe, playing in the coast and river, camping, etc. and want to put global colors which should grow understanding and passion to different cultures in those kids.
Work: We will help to run this summer program by playing with kids, running cultural programs such as teaching your dance, songs, arts, sports, games, cooking, etc. and helping house works such as cleaning and cooking together with professional staffs and other volunteers.
Study Themes: Life of kids in each country. Bring some info!
Activities: Exchange parties, excursion, etc.
Accommodation: Old school (same rooms with kids). Sleeping Bag is necessary! Volunteers will prepare their meals.
Location: South west of Hokkaido Island. Full of beautiful nature with national reserve of beech forests, a river and wetland. Main industry is cattle farming.
Terminal: Sapporo (2 hours by express train). From Tokyo, 13 hours by bullet train or 32 hours by ship.
Additional Qualifications: Those who like kids and try to speak/ understand Japanese language. Similar experience is welcome! Motivation letter is needed!

NICE19 Kochi 27/07-09/08 ENVI/KIDS 10
Organized together with Enoguchi Elementary School since 1999. As to the situation of Japanese forest, see NICE17. The school has recruited forests to be used for the kids and have been taking care of and enjoying! We will continue to make the same forest more enjoyable, comfortable. By this workcamp, we aim to promote maintenance and also to provide funny nature opportunities for children. We will try to revive it in this way of the global voluntary power!
Work: Many forests are just thrown away. We will cut and clear trees, make a tree house, campsite and trails, renovate old tree house, etc. We will also join and help exchange programs such as a very big, famous Yosakoi festival. Part of Greening Asia.
Study Themes: Educational system and School Forests in each country and Greening Asia. Bring some info!
Activities: Home stay, exchange parties, swimming in the river, excursion, etc.
Accommodation: A school and public house. Sleeping Bag is necessary! Volunteers will prepare their meals.
Location: South of Shikoku Island, 220 km southwest of Osaka. Open, liberal city with rich, abundant nature. Especially, this school has very unique education with free atmosphere where kids are very active!
Terminal: Osaka (4 hours by train). From Tokyo, 7 hours by bullet train or 12 hours by midnight bus.
Additional Qualifications: Those who likes nature and kids. Experience of work in forests or with kids is welcome!

NICE20 Koyama 28/07-06/08 KIDS/SOCI 3
Organized together with Koyama Children School, an orphanage, since 98. It is sponsored by Tokyo Government and now have 63 kids from baby to age 18, 78% of who have one parent while 17% have both and 5% have no. Their families have various backgrounds such as economic problems, abuse, criminals, etc. We organized a 3 days workcamp in 97 with the kids aged 12-15 and have developed it into an international and longer term project to encourage and cooperate with them more in 98!
Work: We will improve the building and garden of the School, play a lot with the children including to introduce international games and clean the river with local voluntary group and the children. We may also organize some educational programs such as teaching English to elder kids.
Study Themes: The situation of kids in each country. Bring some info!
Activities: Optional Karaoke, exchange parties, swimming, excursion, etc.
Accommodation: In the orphanage but in different rooms and in a building from the kids. Sleeping Bag is necessary! Often Volunteers will prepare their meals. Of-course, we need to keep manners such as not to be noisy in the night, to keep clean, etc.
Location: Higashi-kurume city, just 20km west of central Tokyo. Near from nice parks and streams.
Terminal: Tokyo (30 minutes by train).
Additional Qualifications: Those who like kids and try to speak/ understand Japanese language. Basic swimming skills. Motivation letter is needed!

NICE21 Kunimi 28/07-10/08 SOCI/KIDS/CULT 8
Organized together with Kunimi Social Welfare (a kind of half-governmental) organization since 94. The workcamp used be "Minami-takaki (with the next town)", until we started only in Kunimi independently, which has 11,844 of population and, 24% are aged over 65. The past workcamps were quite successful to encourage "Summer Volunteer School (SVS)" for 3 days to promote volunteering and international friendships with 100 kids aged 10-18, and also helping local summer festival since 00.
Work: 1) We play an important role during SVS, kids will experience helping for elderly or disabled people, wheelchairs and eye mask etc. and we will support these activities. 2) We will organize a local summer festival with local people.
Study Themes: Social welfare projects and educations from your countries. Bring some info!
Activities: Home stay for a few days, exchange parties, etc.
Accommodation: Social Welfare Center where we also have SVS. Sleeping Bag is necessary! Volunteers will prepare their meals, but mostly Meals are provided.
Location: Small town, about 80 km east of Fukuoka, a very famous symbolic place against nuclear war. This town is very famous for football in Japan.
Terminal: Fukuoka (3 hours by train/ ferry). From Osaka, 7 hours by bullet train or 13 hours by midnight bus
Additional Qualifications: Motivation to work with them. If you can speak some or good Japanese, it will be good!

NICE22 Takane 28/07-11/08 CULT/ELDE/AGRI 5
Organized together with a local government since 00. As well as many other mountain villages, depopulation is quite serious here. The population has been decreased to only 700, so they started to organize the biggest bonfire festival in Japan several years ago. They do resort development such as skiing place, but now they also want another way by global voluntary power! Elders who still maintain the landscape nearly alone in each area tear last year when we helped them!
Work: We will work with elderly people to help their daily lives (such as cutting fire woods for cold winter for a few days, in the corn fields that is expected in one of new special products here for a few days, and then help to prepare/ run/ clean the bonfire festival.
Study Themes: Effective cases to activate depopulated areas in each country. Bring some info!
Activities: Exchange parties, excursion, etc.
Accommodation: Village center. Volunteers will prepare their meals. Sleeping Bag is necessary! You will enjoy a hot spring every day near the center!
Location: About 450 km west of Tokyo. The nearest town is Takayama, a popular tourist town with traditional streets and architectures. World heritage of Shirakawa-go is also not too far.
Terminal: Nagoya (3 hours by express train). From Tokyo, 5 hours by bullet train or 8 hours by bus.
Additional Qualifications: Motivation to activate the village.

NICE23 Iida 2 31/07-11/08 ENVI 5
Organized together with a local group formed for this project by various people, such as local government and some community groups, since 00. The past workcamps helped to construct a log house that is used by many Iida lovers, etc. There is an old trail people used to use for carrying salts and other necessary stuffs for living a long time ago. The local community wants to revive it of 1,400 meters as a natural/ cultural heritage in 5 years and need our voluntary power!
Work: We will revive the trail by cutting bushes and glasses and possibly, also making sigh boards for walkers. We may also stay and work in the neighboring village in the first few days. Together with a local womens group, we will run solar cooking and renovate an old house of cultural heritage.
Study Themes: Similar practice of each country and future plan of the trail. Bring some info!
Activities: Home stay, excursion, exchange parties, local summer festival, etc.
Accommodation: The log house! Sleeping Bag is necessary! Volunteers will prepare their meals.
Location: About 250 km west of Tokyo. Mountain village with rich nature. People, especially of the NPO are very friendly to outsiders, so immigrants from cities are slightly increasing.
Terminal: Nagoya (2 hours by express train) or Tokyo (2 hours by bullet train or 5 hours by bus)
Additional Qualifications: Motivation to physical work as well as work with kids. Architectural skills are welcome!
NOTE: Weekend workcamp to help and join the local summer fire festival is optional (15-16 Aug.)

NICE24 Namino 31/07-16/08 AGRI/ENVI/KIDS 6
Organized together with a local group formed for this project by various people, such as local Government staffs, craft man and farmers, since 98. The terrible religious Group "Oom", who caused a poison gas crime in Tokyo in 95, had try to live here BEFORE 95 though local people had been very against. Now, here is COMPLETELY SAFE, all of they have left away but the area is still damaged by a bad image, so they want to revive an activated community by utilizing international workcamps!
Work: We will be divided into 4-5 groups, help local farmers such as cutting bushes and harvesting vegetable. We will prepare/ run/ clean the local summer festival. We will also join Kids camp, which will be held in this village for few days.
Study Themes: Activation of local communities by utilizing former school. Bring some info!
Activities: Home stay, hiking on the mountain, hot spring etc.
Accommodation: Walking Center (base for environmental education). Sleeping Bag is necessary! Volunteers will prepare their meals.
Location: Namino village is a very beautiful village and in the center of Kyushu Island about 110km southeast of Fukuoka. It is located near the border with Oita and Kumamoto prefectures.
Terminal: Fukuoka, 5 hours by train. From Osaka, 9 hours by bullet train or 13 hours by midnight bus.
Additional Qualifications: Interest agriculture and the project of the workcamp.

NICE25 Shobara 01/08-10/08 ENVI 5
Organized together with a local group whom want to activate this area by voluntary power and idea since 01. This area is covered with rich nature, but local people are indifferent of that. Actually, it is very difficult to survive with forestry. Local group want to support those who work on surviving with forestry. So, the local group has planned this workcamp to make a more charming community, to support forestry. We aim to involve with local people, to review their own treasure.
Work: We will work in the Satoyama forest (see NICE17) by making a nature trail, cutting grasses and unhealthy trees, making the charcoal. We will work with a local group that consists of 15-20 university students and local motivate people, so well be a big group! Part of "Greening Asia".
Study Themes: The unique cases of making use of the nature park and Greening Asia. Bring some info!
Activities: Exchange parties, excursions, study on Japanese nature and culture, etc.
Accommodation: Traditional Japanese house. Sleeping Bag is necessary! Volunteers will prepare their meals.
Location: Central part of Hiroshima prefecture, about 90km of Hiroshima city. It is in a rural area surrounded by small mountains and about 70% of the city is covered by forest.
Terminal: Osaka. From Tokyo, around 6 hours by bullet train or around 12 hours by bus.
Additional Qualifications: Another 10-15 Japanese will join, so that we need motivated volunteers who can speak Japanese, are interested in Japanese or Japanese culture!!

NICE26 Ogata 01/08-16/08 AGRI/CULT/KIDS 5
Organized together with a local group formed for this project by various people, such as local government staffs, organic farmers and many local people since 02. Ogata is famous for the tulip and the population is 6,500. In spite of such wonderful natural heritages, that town has one of the smallest populations in Japan, especially children are very few, so the main problem of Ogata today is aging. We aim to activate the area by workcamps.
Work: We will be divided into 3-4 groups, help local farmers such as cutting bushes and harvesting vegetable. We will also join a kids camp, which is held for few days and help to prepare, run and clean the Kodai festival that is very traditional festival.
Study Themes: Effective cases to activate depopulated areas in each country. Bring some info!
Activities: Exchange program with local people, hot spring etc.
Accommodation: Public hall. Sleeping Bag is necessary! Volunteers will prepare their meals.
Location: Ogata is a very beautiful town. There is a big waterfall that is called the Oriental Niadara falls. It is located near the border with Oita and Kumamoto prefectures.
Terminal: Fukuoka, 5 hours by train and bus. From Osaka, 9 hours by bullet train or 13 hours by midnight bus.
Additional Qualifications: Interest in nature, agriculture and the project of the workcamp.

NICE27 Hanawa 02/08-18/08 CULT 8
Organized together with KOBOSHA, a local NPO for community planning since 96. We joined the summer festival called TORO NAGASHI that is a memorial service for an ancestor by making a lantern and floating to a river. It is one of the traditional festivals in JAPAN. We will make large TORO (2 x 2 meters) for the festival in this workcamp. We aim to activate the area by workcamps. Locals have been encouraged to improve and to be proud of their community through past workcamps!
Work: We will mainly help and join the festival by making four big lanterns TORO (2x2 meters) and hundreds of small lanterns together with local students. You can design big TORO with your ideas for this festival. It is physically hard work.
Study Themes: Unique festivals in each country. Bring some info!
Activities: Home stay, sports, exchange parties, etc.
Accommodation: Public Sports Center. Sleeping Bag is necessary! Volunteers will prepare their meals.
Location: It is located at the south part of Fukushima (about 150 km north from Tokyo), small town, 80% of which are forests, about 150 km north of Tokyo.
Terminal: Tokyo, 5 hours by slow train
Additional Qualifications: Interest in making big lanterns TORO and Japanese culture! !

NICE28 Hoshino 08/08-22/08 ENVI/CULT 8
Organized together with a local group formed by various groups such as a forestry cooperative, a local youth group etc. This village has got the 1st prize at the national contests for beautiful stars in the sky and for shelves of rice fields. In spite of such wonderful natural heritage, depopulation of especially youth is serious here as well as much other countryside in Japan. We aim to help nature conservation and to activate the area by workcamps.
Work: We will work in forests such as cutting bushes, and also help to prepare, run and clean the local summer festival. As we contribute to the nature conservation in Hoshino with the power of global volunteers, our movement will eventually lead to a greener and better world.
Study Themes: Effective cases to activate depopulated areas in each country. Bring some info!
Activities: Home stay, watching stars, exchange parties, etc.
Accommodation: A community center. Sleeping Bag is necessary! Volunteers will prepare their meals.
Location: Small village surrounded by mountains, about 50 km southeast of Fukuoka. There was a national Summit (conference) for protecting beautiful shelves of rice fields in 2000.
Terminal: Fukuoka, 2 hours by train and car. From Osaka, 6 hours by bullet train or 12 hours by midnight bus.
Additional Qualifications: Interest to protect nature and to exchange with people. Adaptable to enjoy simple life!

NICE29 Omiya 2 08/08-23/08 ENVI/SOCI/KIDS 10
Organized together with the local government since 1996. We've started creating "Village with fireflies and insects" that can live only in the clean water. This is a very remarkable experiment to activate local areas in 3 points; 1) Not by industrial development/ construction/ festival, but by improving local nature, 2) Not by companies/ governments, but by mainly volunteers, and 3) Not only by local people, but also by world youth. Quite many local students have worked together with us.
Work: We will clean the public facilities, visit the home of mentally disadvantaged people, join the local summer festival. This is the very historical workcamp, but we will review work contain this summer. So, we need some motivated volunteers who are interested in the local revitalization! There are some possibilities to do another work. We will often work with local students.
Study Themes: Proposals to the local redevelopment. Bring some info and your ideas!
Activities: Exchange parties, excursion, home stay, cycling, sports etc.
Accommodation: Cycling Terminal (Public Center) with several rooms. Volunteers will prepare their meals. We will move with bicycles, so you should be able to ride bicycles!! You can go around the area in free time!
Location: Agricultural and forestry (80% of the land) village, about 90km southwest of Nagoya.
Terminal: Nagoya (3-4 hours by train). From Tokyo, 5 hours by bullet or 10 hours by slow train.
Additional Qualifications: Motivation to the theme! (Speaking Japanese is not necessary this time, but still welcome!)

NICE30 Ogi 18/08-02/09 CULT/ENVI 3
Organized together with a local group formed for this project by various people, such as local government staffs, fishermen and forest keepers since 01. This town is a part of Sado Island, in spite of such a wonderful natural heritage, depopulation of youth is serious here as well as many other villages in Japan. They need help of international volunteers, and expect us as a "new wind" to activate the area and involve local young people.
Work: We will participate in a local festival of Shinto, which has 350 yeas history. We will practice dance and music instrument such as a whistle and a Japanese drum and then perform there. Also, we will help to prepare, join and clean local festival. We will work in forests such as cutting bushes.
Study Themes: Unique festivals in each country. Bring some info!
Activities: Exchange parties, excursion, fishing, etc.
Accommodation: public house. SV! Volunteers will prepare their meals.
Location: 300 km north-east of Tokyo. Sado Island is famous for gold and Japanese crested ibis. Ogi is in southern part beside from the beach, so you can enjoy fishing and hot spring there!
Terminal: Tokyo 4 hours by bullet train and 2 hours by ferry.
Additional Qualifications: Those who play musical instruments is welcome. Motivation to enjoy exchange with a lot locals.

NICE31 Nabari 2 20/08-03/09 ENVI 5
Organized together with "Akame no Mori wo Mamoru kai" (Group to protect forests in Akame), a local environmental NPO since 1999. Being located near from both big cities of Osaka and Nagoya, there were some plans of a golf link and disposing industrial garbage and local people have stopped them by "Woods Trust" movement. They formed this group in 96 to collect donations to buy and protect lands, to own a pension to enjoy nature, to maintain forests, to create a pond for dragonflies, etc.
Work: We will join their daily activities such as making a pond of bio-tope, cutting trees and glasses, aiming also to involve local people. We will also play with elders who will stay at eco resort, have one-day satoyama festival. If anything, physically hard. Part of Greening Asia.
Study Themes: Local participation to protect nature and Greening Asia. Bring some info!
Activities: Excursion, exchange parties, Visiting schools, international games etc.
Accommodation: The pension named "Eco Resort Akame". Volunteers will prepare their meals.
Location: About 60 km east of Osaka. There are famous falls nearby many hikers visit. The climate in this season is quite cold, so don't forget to bring warm clothes.
Terminal: Osaka or Nagoya (1 hour by train from both).
Additional Qualifications: Interest in nature conservation.

NICE32 Wazuka 23/08-08/09 AGRI/ENVI 10
Organized together with a society for the study of producing organic Japanese tea in Wazuka, and local government since 2001. They are various farmers producing completely organic, partly one, little one. But they want to activate this area by organic tea in the future. The situations of organic farming in Japan are still difficult, but now it has been getting better little by little. We will understand tea (its deeply related to Japanese culture!), help them, and try to involve more local people!
Work: We will help to make a tea park in Wazuka, which means to make baby tea trees, to make steps, etc. We will help their farming separated some farm houses, help to revive the abandoned tea gardens, which means clear the weeds. We will also have one-day festival with local people.
Study Themes: The proposal to the future plan of Wazuka. Bring some idea!
Activities: Sports, exchange parties, school visiting, Japanese tea ceremony, excursion, etc.
Accommodation: Comfortable public house. Sleeping Bag is necessary! Volunteers will prepare their meals.
Location: The southern most of Kyoto, where is near the center of Kyoto and Nara which both are very, very historical and beautiful places. You should come here to see a lot of beautiful tea gardens! !
Terminal: Osaka (2 hours by train). From Tokyo 3 hours by bullet train, or 9 hours by midnight bus.
Additional Qualifications: Those who likes farming and people. If you can speak some or good Japanese, it will be good!

NICE33 Shiwa 31/08-15/09 KIDS/ELDE/AGRI 8
Organized together with a local group of the local government staffs, farmers and elementary school principles since 01. We visited many elementary schools to have the international understanding education, helped busy fruit farmers to harvest apples, pears and grapes in past workcamps. Last year, we practiced playing the musical instrument, and then went to welfare center to organize a concert for elderly people! ! This workcamp was quite successful, so they are expecting workcamps again!
Work: We will take lessons for concert, then visit welfare center to give concert for elderly people. We will work together with many local people, like harvest fruits in farm and conserve forest in mountain. We will also visit elementary schools and kindergarten to show your culture!
Study Themes: The unique cases of education in each country. Bring some info!
Activities: Exchange parties, excursions, home stay, etc.
Accommodation: Sports Center. Sleeping Bag is necessary! Volunteers will prepare their meals.
Location: About 500 km north of Tokyo. This town is near Morioka city.
Terminal: From Tokyo, about 5 hours by bullet train or around 9 hours by bus.
Additional Qualifications: Those who play the musical instrument (piano, wind instrument, drums, traditional one, etc.) and like music. If you can bring your instrument, it will be welcome! Motivation letter is needed!

NICE34 Hirata (Shimane) 2-weeks in the middle of September ENVI, KIDS 10
Organized together with a local group formed for this project by various people, such as local government since 01. This area is famous for the holy place where very old Japanese myth was born. Also this place has special products of tea and Shinji-ko lake where we can get seven rarely lake-food. But this area has one of the smallest population in Japan, especially very few children. We want to make them active and involve young people by voluntary power!
Work: We will help farming such as tea, fruit, vegetable, etc. We will have English conversation classes for local people and local children. There are some possibilities to do other works that will be informed in the information sheets.
Study Themes: Future possibilities of the area, town planning with non-materialistic values. Bring some info!
Activities: Home stay, exchange parties, school visiting, excursion to very famous shrine, etc.
Accommodation: Comfortable community center. Sleeping Bag is necessary! Volunteers will prepare their meals.
Location: 250 km northwest of Osaka. Near Japan-sea and a big lake that is very beautiful and quiet. You can enjoy good seafood!
Terminal: Osaka (9 hours by train). From Tokyo, 6 hours by bullet train or 12 hours by midnight bus.
Additional Qualifications: Those who are interested in town planning.

NICE35 Onuma 05/09-19/09 ENVI 5
Newly organized together with a new local NGO to promote voluntary service and international exchange and Onuma Fishermen Cooperative. Though Onuma Lake has been a popular tourism spot for a long time ago because of its beautiful scenery, it has been polluted by over use of agricultural chemicals by cattle farming and non-native trees in the forests. A leader of Cooperative has recently bought a forest and wants to revive it to original nature with native trees!
Work: We will cut alien trees in his forest and also construct a mountain hut to promote voluntary Activities there, in an ecological way. As raising awareness of local people are important, we will also work along the lack by putting stones and make charcoals to purify the water with involving them.
Study Themes: The future plans of beautiful lakes and sister lakes in the world. Bring some info!
Activities: Excursion, exchange parties, one night home-stay, etc.
Accommodation: House of Cooperatives leader. Sleeping Bag is necessary! Volunteers will prepare their meals.
Location: South of Hokkaido Island, in a national park near Hakodate city, which is famous for romantic view in the night, especially for sweet couples!
Terminal: Sapporo (3 hours by express train). From Tokyo, 10 hours by bullet train or 30 hours by ship.
Additional Qualifications: Motivation to work in the forests!

NICE36 Shibuya 06/09-17/09 KIDS 3
Organized together with Tokyo-to Jido Kaikan, a public kids center run by Tokyo government Since 01. The big building has 5 floors to provide various types of leisure facilities and activities for any age of kids to 18, such as a music studio, a library, an athletic area, workshops of handy crafts, a small theater, etc. As so many kids play here in the summer vacation, they need help of international vols and also expect "new wind" for the education to kids!
Work: The main work will be to prepare and run an play scheme with putting international colors such as games, songs, dances, indoor sports, etc! We may also organize some social educational programs to raise awareness and actions of kids to ecology, human rights, social welfare, poverty, etc.
Study Themes: The situation of family to bring up kids. Bring some info!
Activities: Shibuya is most popular town for youth in Japan. Let's enjoy city nights!
Accommodation: Office of Blind Peoples Association. Sleeping Bag is necessary! Volunteers will prepare their meals.
Location: Central Tokyo. Very popular town for youth.
Terminal: Tokyo
Additional Qualifications: Those who like kids and try to speak/ understand Japanese language. Similar experience is welcome! Motivation letter is needed!

NICE38 Shintoku 08/09-21/09 AGRI/CONS 4
Organized together with Kyodo Gakusha since 98, a cooperative community where people with various backgrounds such as mentally disadvantaged, people who are tired of city life, who wants to learn farming or who just want to live in the nature. They have five communities in Tokyo, Nagano and Hokkaido and grow animals and vegetables in ecological, organic way with utilizing bacterium. Their cheese got the 1st prize in the national contest! We will encourage them and share the spirit.
Work: We will reconstruct the house for milking cows with the supervising of the specialist. They need us for this work since they are too busy of their daily work. We will also work in vegetable and Japanese noodle fields (taking weeds, planting and harvesting) as well as maintenance of the trail.
Study Themes: Similar types of communities in each country and future networking. Bring some info!
Activities: School visit, football with local teams, exchange parties, etc.
Accommodation: The community (female and male are separated). VOLUNTEERS WILL PREPARE THEIR MEALS together with the people. Sleeping Bag is necessary!
Location: Agricultural countryside, 120 km east of Sapporo. -20 degree in winter and 20 in summer.
Terminal: Sapporo (2 hours by express train). From Tokyo, 13 hours by bullet train or 32 hours by ship.
Additional Qualifications: Interest and motivation to work and live in this type of community. Respect to their life.

NICE39 Shiozawa 13/09-24/09 ENVI/KIDS 5
Organized together with Japan National Trust since 95. JNT was founded in 1968 and buys lands to protect nature and cultural heritage such as old temples and trains, beautiful beaches, etc. It has been conserving Mt. Makihata for 24 years where wild life & landscapes have been damaged by tourists though still very beautiful. We have activated this project as a fresh wind (e.g. Some local climbers was surprise to see foreign volunteers' working and joined cleaning.)
Work: We will maintain natural trails, revive ponds, collect seeds, etc. on Mt. Makihata. Part of Greening Asia. We will also visit schools to raise awareness and actions for the local kids to protect nature in their own area! We will also work with the mentally disadvantaged one day.
Study Themes: Protection of mountains in each country and Greening Asia. Bring some info!
Activities: Exchange parties, excursion, etc.
Accommodation: Tents or a mountain hut in the 1st week and a community center in the 2nd. Volunteers will prepare their meals. Sleeping Bag is necessary!
Location: Mountainious, agricultural town about 170 km north of Tokyo. Famous for the best sake and rice! The top you stay in the 1st week is a kind of paradise with millions of stars!
Terminal: Tokyo (2 hours by bullet train or 4 hours by slow train)
Additional Qualifications: You need to be physically tough and also to like kids.

NICE41 Maki 14/10-27/10 AGRI 4
Organized together with Maki Farm of Kyodo Gakusha since 00. For the background of Kyodo Gakusha, please see NICE38! This isolated area used to have 100 inhabitants, but people left there since there is no access of transportation and we have to walk 4 km in the mountains. It once became an abandon village 30 years ago, but now, around 10 people of the farm including three kids live there. They sometimes host training program of future farmers and teachers.
Work: We will help their farm work such as clearing glasses and harvesting beans and carry the woods and other things from the town. We may also try to involve the local people by organizing some programs! Be ready that work is for quite a long time (05:00-18:00 with some brakes) and hard.
Study Themes: Nice examples to revive abandon villages in each country. Bring some info!
Activities: School visit, sports, meeting with local people, etc.
Accommodation: Building of the farm. Volunteers will prepare their meals. Sleeping Bag is necessary! There are some gas, electricity and water!
Location: Very isolated, but beautiful village near Japanese Northern Alps. About 900 meters asl. There are something remained here that most of Japanese areas have lost in modernization.
Terminal: From Tokyo, 4 hours by express train or 8-10 hours by bus and train.
Additional Qualifications: Physically strength. Agricultural or architectural skills are welcome! Motivation letter is needed!

CIEE

Outline
CIEE Japan was registered in Alliance of European Voluntary Service Organizations as a partner organization in 1995. CIEE Japan is serving to whomever she/he is 18 years old and older. Workcamps enable people to experience the joy of working and cooperating with new friends from overseas. Each year CIEE Japan organizes 5-11 international workcamps in Japan. These camps are sponsored by each local organization such as welfare centers, universities, individuals and so on. CIEE Japan International Workcamps offer participants practical task, which benefits the local community and Japanese cultural experiences. These camps are basically held between July and the beginning of September when most of Japanese students have their summer vacation.
Language
Although the language used among international volunteers and between them and leader is English, some projects in Japan involve quite a lot of local volunteers, especially when it is run jointly with their regular activity/camp. In Japan, being different from some other countries, it is not easy to find English-speaking environment, where English is used as a common language. Therefore, getting along with Japanese.
It will be much better if the Volunteers at least try to communicate in Japanese with these local people even though you know just basic Japanese words. N.B. Basic Conversational ability in Japanese for any social projects is required.Leader
A Japanese leader who has participated in workcamps in overseas shall act as coordinator/advisor of International volunteers and local host-organization, and as a contact person of CIEE.
Insurance
During the camp, you are NOT insured against any conditions by CIEE so that participants from overseas should be aware that they must be insured against their travel to/from the camp, including baggage loss with special conditions, etc.Travel
Each volunteer is responsible for arranging and paying for their transportation to/from the meeting point of the camp.CIEEJ01

Mimasaka Okayama 14/7-28/7 ENVI/CULT 6
Sponsor: Mimasaka International Interchange Exchange Association
Terminal: Kansai International Airport
Background: Local sponsor, Mimasaka International Interchange Exchange Association (MIIEA) is derived from Mimasaka English Language Club (MELC), which was founded in 1992. MELC consist of 20 students, mostly local adults, learning English by Assistant Language Teachers (ALT) from overseas. Besides the language teaching & learning, some members of this club has been acting to contribute to internationalisation of their town organized MIIPA recently to focus on cultural exchange. This volunteer project has been established and they look forward to accepting participants from various countries.
Work: Volunteer will clean up gardens, parks, in the town and along the river goes through this town to protect the habitat of "fireflies" which are only live in the clean water. With locals joining this project on the voluntary basis, volunteers will also help to analyse water quality with them. Volunteers should bring work clothes including rubber gloves and boots, and be able to ride a bike for their transfer. Also, participants have the opportunity to attend the local events, such as traditional summer dancing festivals, to visit Japanese elementary school, to show locals your own countries' cuisines. Volunteers are expected to be interested in any event takes place in the countryside of Japan. Be ready to talk about your country!!
Accommodation: Most days of this project, each volunteer will be accommodated in the local family house where the family is very interested in hosting experience and cultural exchange. Volunteers should expect there are some house rules at each family. Host family provides breakfasts and dinners and volunteers should cook their lunches at a community centre.
Location: This project is located in Mimasaka-cho in Okayama Prefecture where is famous for its full of nature, hot springs, sightseeing spot, and the legend "MOMOTARO (Peach boy)". Hayashino Station is located about 1and 1/2 hour by train from HIMEJI city in Hyogo prefecture.

CIEEJ02 Higashishirakawa Gifu 2/8-15/8 CULT/RENO 15
Sponsor: Higashi Shirakawa-mura Board of Education
Terminal: Nagoya International Airport
Background: Local sponsor, Higashi Shirakawa-mura Board of Education cooperate this program with Nagoya University of Commerce & Business Administration. You can enjoy swimming and fishing (extra fee is needed for fishing) in the liver, which run through the village. You have a great opportunity to enjoy Japanese traditional pastoral scene and life! Most plans are organized by Nagoya University of Commerce & Business Administration. Work: Volunteers will work: a)"Matsuri (festival) volunteer: volunteers will work with local staffs for preparing their summer festival. b) Renovation work: renovating and cleaning works at the Japanese shrine and other public facilities around the village are expected to volunteer. Also volunteer will visit farms and help their work. To communicate with the villagers is one of the big tasks in this project. Volunteer will be divided into a small group and work at the different places in the village.
Accommodation: Volunteers will be accommodated in the seminar house, which is owned by Nagoya University of Commerce & Business Administration. They will cook by themselves. There will be a chance to stay in local family house for one night during this camp.
Location: Higashi Shirakawa-mura is located near the Hida Mountains, which are very famous for its beautiful scenery among not only climbers but also tourists. Takayama Matsuri (festival) is held twice a year in spring and autumn and is famous for its gorgeously decorated floats, or its parade. The unique folk music performed at the festival also leaves a lasting impression. Also, you might have a chance to visit "Shirakawago" which is newly registered to The World Heritage. This is the place only for nature lovers!

CIEEJ03 Kenbuchi Hokkaido 16/8-29/8 MENT/ART/AGRI 3
Sponsor: Kenbuchi Nishihara Gakuen - Home for the disabled
Terminal: Chitose Airport/Narita International Airport
Background: Local sponsor, Kenbuchi Nishihara Gakuen is a school for mentally handicapped people founded in 1980 as "a place where everyone get together". The main aim of this institution is to help handicapped or retarded people stand on their own feet. They are running coffee shop, cultivating, making wood works or handicrafts with local organization such as organic agricultural association to promote total local welfare under the mission of normalization. This school has several department such as processing agricultural products, ceramic art, woodwork, textile manufacturer, agriculture and so on.
Work: Each volunteer will be assigned to each workshop such as woodwork, handicrafts, and textile manufacturer. Volunteers will help the staffs of the school and work with handicapped people. Some Japanese will be very helpful since each volunteer is not always work with a project leader and must understand what to do and how to do at each workshop. Volunteers are also expected to be interested in Japanese culture and welfare.
Accommodation: Volunteers will be accommodated in the guesthouse where all facilities are furnished. Sleeping bag is not necessary. There is catering service at the school so volunteers do not have to make their own food in the project.
Location: Kenbuchi-cho is located about 1 hour by train from Asahikawa in Hokkaido where it is not too humid and hot in summer and many people visit there to avoid the humid summer in most part of Japan. This place is also famous for Lavender flower field. Volunteers will have a chance to visit there and enjoy fresh air and wonderful starlight. There is a domestic airport called Chitose Airport in Hokkaido, so volunteers may fly over there via either Narita or Kansai International Airport. If volunteers come via Korea, they may take a direct flight from Korea to Chitose Airport.

CIEEJ04 Kunimi Yamanashi 30/8-10/9 MENT/CULT 3
Sponsor: Kunimi En - Home for the disabled
Terminal: Narita International Airport
Background: Local sponsor, Kunimi En is a school for mentally handicapped people founded in 1996 as "a Big Home for mutual help". The main aim of this school is to supply the independent living space for mentally handicapped people regarding them as individuals to live much comfortable and liberal as they are in their own home. All staff are trying to focus on not only to enrich service they are providing in the school but also to widespread their activity in the local community concerning the integral welfare function in the local under the mission of normalization.
Work: Each volunteer will help handicapped people with staff both inside and outside of the school. Besides helping daily routine like cleaning and their own work, staffs of the school strongly expect volunteers to take part in social activities mentioned above and to share their opinions on Japanese welfare or their impression on what they have been experiencing both in Japan and their own countries. Volunteers and residents will be working together on some activities. There also will have opportunity to introduce your country and cook the dishes and of your own country. Bring something symbolized your country and the recipe!! Volunteers must have been studying Social welfare, should be interested in working with handicapped people and willing to do what is needed. Basic Japanese conversation skills will be very helpful to enjoy this project.
Accommodation: Volunteers will stay at the school and a Japanese-style Inn near Kunimi En. Transfer between the accommodation and Kunimi En will be given volunteers by school staff. Sleeping bag is not necessary. They have a catering service for lunches and dinners at the school but volunteers should buy their breakfasts. Volunteers will be also expected to have lunch with residents and to join international party where Volunteers prepare and introduce their country's food.
Location: Kunimi En is located about half an hour by train from Kofu city in Yamanashi prefecture. At school, you can see the Japanese highest & sacred Mt. Fuji forward and the Japan south Alps backward. This place is also famous for a rapid Fuji river and its landscape depicted in famous Japanese Traditional water painting "Ukiyoe" by Katsushika Hokusai (1760~1849). Also, Pacific Ocean is only 1.5 hour away by driving.

CIEEJ05 Obuse Nagano 11/7-24/7 CULT/AGRI 5-6
Sponsor: Obuse International Exchange Club
Terminal: Narita International Airport
Background: Local sponsor, Nagano International Friendship Club (NIFC), established in 1968, is composed of regular members and supporting members as an incorporated association in NAGANO prefecture. The NIFC has been promoting exchange activities to bring up the sense of cultural understanding among younger generation in order to cope with better international communication of NAGANO. They have some cultural exchange programs for both individuals and groups between some local governments and those of the U.S.A., Korea, Philippines, Denmark, Turkey, Indonesia, and New Zealand. The NIFC is offering various programs such as home-stay, language course, or voluntary activities. The NIFC supported NAGANO Olympic game in 1998 by sending many volunteers. Obuse branch consists of 10 members, other local organizations, and many volunteers.
Work: There will be various kinds of works. Volunteers will prepare for Obuse International Music Concert and will work in a big flower park and an orchard in the town. Volunteers will also have opportunities to visit local primary and secondary schools for showing children their cultures. Volunteers may go to the hospitals and welfare institutions to do cleaning and renovation work. Volunteers are required to ride a bike for transportation and to bring work clothes. The host organization, NIFC Obuse, will welcome volunteers who are interested in cultural exchange between volunteers and locals.
Accommodation: Each volunteer will be accommodated in the local family house where the family is very interested in hosting experience and individual cultural exchange. There would be a chance to stay more than one family during the camp. Volunteers should expect there are some house rules at each family.
Location: Obuse-cho is a small town living 12, 000 people. Obuse-cho is famous as the center of Japanese traditional culture such as Haiku, Bonsai, and especially for well-known "Ukiyoe" painter, Katsushika Hokusai (1760-1849). The 3rd International Hokusai conference was held in Obuse-cho (1st and 2nd were held in University of Venice, Italy). Chestnuts and Japanese sweets are also known as one of the Obuse-cho brand. There is also hot spring in the town so volunteers will have a chance to experience it. Obuse Station is located about 1/2 hour by train from Nagano city where you can access by Shinkansen, bullet train from Tokyo in 1and 1/2hours.

CIEEJ06 Takatsuki Osaka /07-/08(TBA) ELD/MENT 2
Sponsor: Takatsukiso, Home for the aged
Terminal: Kansai International Airport
Background: Local sponsor, "Takatsukiso" is the name of home for the aged built about 20 years ago in OSAKA and owned by the local government. There are about 100 elderly (65 yrs. or above) people accepted in this house, who are physically or mentally disabled and need help for their daily lives. There are also 130 elderly people coming to this institute to take "day care service" there, where they will take bath and have meals with help, and other necessary services. There are about 180 staffs working in this house being engaged in visiting-home helper service, taking elders in a bath, helping for meals and their daily lives. Many entertainment events such as cherry blossom viewing, movie days, and beer parties, dancing night are also well planned for those who are staying in the house. They accept many volunteers every year.
Work: Volunteer will work as staff at Takatsukiso with the regular staffs. Volunteers will be engaged in helping elderly and physically handicapped people living in the house to take bath and eat meals, helping to organize some events such as the Bon (Lantern) Festival held during their stay. Some Japanese will be very helpful to enjoy the project (Volunteers can not expect "English only environment"!!). Volunteers are expected to act positively and considerately and communicate with those aged people friendly, and also to make good use of their social experience in Japan back home.
Accommodation: Volunteers will be accommodated in the dormitory next to the Takatsukiso House. All meals will be provided in the house and they have meals with elders and staffs. There are kitchenette, bath, shower, bed and other necessary facilities in the dormitory. Sleeping bag is not necessary.
Location: Takatsukiso is located in Takatsuki-shi, Osaka-fu prefecture. It is easily access from down town, Osaka and Kyoto, the most famous ancient city in Japan. Volunteers might be able to enjoy visiting those cities during their day-offs.

CIEEJ07 Fukuoka Fukuoka 5/7-29/7 KIDS 2
Sponsor: The Asian-Pacific Childrens Convention in Fukuoka (APCC)
Terminal: Fukuoka/Kansai International Airport
Background: The Asian Pacific Childrens Convention in FUKUOKA, Japan, is a civic movement that is made possible by public subsidies, donations from individuals and private enterprises, and the Supporters Organization. The APCC has been held every year since 1989, and in 2004 we will hold the 16th Asian-Pacific Childrens Convention. For more than 10 years, the APCC has been developing from just another international exchange program to an educational one promoting mutual understanding beyond national boundaries while involving many cities and schools. In addition, the BRIDGE CLUB (BC) has been established by former Junior Ambassadors in the participating countries/regions to pursue its ultimate goal of peace and co-existence. The APCC gathers the children, who shall be a leader in the 21st century, together in Fukuoka and tries to help them gain mutual understanding of different cultures and languages through homestay and cultural exchanges.
Work: This organization has The Asian-Pacific Childrens Convention every year and this year, over 350 children from over 40 different countries will be invited to the convention to experience and exchange their cultures with Japanese children in Fukuoka. Volunteers will do the preparations and some office works, support other staffs, and help children broaden their horizon during the convention. Volunteers are expected to be the BRIDGE among those children, to have good relationship with other Japanese volunteers, and to assume responsibility as one of APCC staff members.
Accommodation: Each volunteer will be accommodated in a private family house where a family is very interested in hosting international visitors and individual cultural exchange. Breakfasts and dinners will be provided but volunteers will buy lunches by themselves. Please note that there are some house rules at each family.
Location: Fukuoka prefecture serves as a key prefecture in Western Japan and has about 5 million inhabitants, making it the 9th largest in Japan. It faces the sea on three sides, with fertile plains extending along the rivers which flowing from the mountains. Fukuoka has always been an exchange point between Japanese and Continental-Asian cultures, due to its proximity to the rest of Asia. During many periods in history, it has played an important role as a window of exchange. It takes about 10 minutes by subway from Fukuoka Intl Airport. Its possible to get to Fukuoka from Kansai Intl airport by express train.

CIEEJ08 Kitsuki Oita 1/6-31/8 RENO/TEAC 3-4
*Vols can request duration and dates of their stay in advance.
Sponsor: ABC Outdoors Education Centre
Terminal: Oita Airport/Kansai International Airport
Background: ABC Outdoor Education Centre was officially registered as a NPO (Non Profit Organization) through Oita Prefectural Government in 2001.
ABC stands for, Adventure, Balance and Challenge & fun provides the program focus on successful experiences that will help people break the cycles of failure and begin feeling good about themselves and caring others. This is accomplished through activities that incorporate trust-building, goal-setting, challenges, individual and group experiences, problem-solving and fun. The center (program site) is based in Sumiyoshihama Resort Park has a beautiful environment just besides the ocean and mountains. We provide the programmes not only for the people (students) but also for facilitator training.
Work: Works are various and related with adventure educational programmes. Volunteers will start with maintenance works on facilities of the organization at first, and will be then gradually able to be involved with the programmes and the participants as a programme assistant. However, what each volunteer can do depends on his/her interest, motivation, experience, besides adventure education and outdoor activities experiences. Their educational programmes are also beneficial for those who wish to be a teacher. Volunteers should be very good at English since they have some English programmes.
Accommodation: Volunteers will stay at a lodge with a good cooking facility condition in the working area and will prepare breakfasts and dinners by themselves. Since lunches are not inclusive, volunteers have to pay for them.
Location: ABC Outdoor Education Centre is located in Sumiyoshihama Beach Resort Park and the resort park is in south edge of Kunisaki peninsula in Oita prefecture. Kitsuki city where the organization is based is a castle town with about 23,000 residents. The city faces Moriya Bay and is known for tideland where a natural monument, horseshoe crabs live.
It takes about 10 minute-drive from Oita airport.

CIEEJ09 Kusatsu Shiga 25/7-14/8 KIDS 5-6
Sponsor: NPO KODOMO NETWORK CENTRE TENKIMURA
Terminal: Kansai International Airport
Background: In Japan, children are having fewer chances to communicate elder people in neighborhoods and also tend to stay inside house to play TV game. TENKIMURA was established in 1987 to reconsider and improve the environments around children and to support their healthy growth. This organization has been having many events related with nature activities for children, making local community better, and support for parents to bring up children under their catch phrase The earth is a playground! Lots of local people are involved in the events as supporters and TENKIMURA give children precious experiences in nature.
Work: Volunteers will experience a few schemes related with children, such as being a leader of children for a summer camp and spending some time with disabled kids. They will also make the preparation for those events. Works will be about 5 hours per day from Mondays to Fridays and there will be no work on weekends. Volunteers will have a chance to swim in river and to meet local people.
Basic Japanese would be really helpful for communication with kids.
Accommodation: Volunteers will stay at local family, which the organization arranges, but volunteers need to be prepared for their own cooking while being provided with ingredients, vegetables, fruits, meats etc. Ingredients will be provided by hostfamily.
Volunteers will be expected to follow some family rules at each family. Please note that this might change into another type of accommodation, probably rooms in a nursery school.
Location: Shiga prefecture is located in the middle of Japan and is famous for the biggest lake in the country, Lake Biwa, which occupies one sixth of the prefecture. Kusatsu City is located in south of the lake and has over 110 thousand residents. The city was one of sekisho (barriers) on Five Main Highways, which were made in Edo period (1615-1867) and used to be flourish by tourists.
It takes about 20 minutes by train to get Kyoto, which is the historical city and about 2 hours by express trains to get to Kansai International Airport.

CIEEJ10 Sawara Chiba 16/8-29/8 MENT 1
Sponsor: SAWARA SEIKAZOKU EN - Home for the disabled
Terminal: Narita International Airport
Background: SAWARA SEIKAZOKU EN is a home for the disabled and has about 20 affiliate centers in 5 cities. Their purposes are to respect everyone, to have healthy and fruitful life, to do daily activities, and to help disabled people become independent. They have 42 staff members and about 50 residents, who are mentally disabled.
The residents are divided into small groups, which are considered as a family in the house, and everyone has his/her own room for independent life.
Daily works and club activities they give to the residents are various; such as gardening, manual work, playing sports, cooking, music etc, and on weekends, the residents enjoy their leisure time by doing diverse events at weekends.
Work: Volunteers will help mentally disabled people do daily routine, such as cleaning, brushing teeth etc, with the staff. The residents do gardening, mushroom growing, food manufacture, and manual work as their daily works and volunteers will be also expected to be involved with those works with the residents. Volunteers should be interested in welfare.
Accommodation: Volunteers will stay at a room in the house and they will have catering meals. Lines eill be provided, so sleeping bag is not necessary.
Location: Sawara-shi with 50,000 residents is located in North East of Chiba prefecture and the biggest river, the Tonegawa River goes through the city. The distance from Narita International airport is about 15Km. The city is very historical and known for the hometown of the first proper map drawer, Mr. Tadataka Ino. Enjoy visiting old Japanese houses, bridges, Inos museum, temples etc. in the city!

CIEEJ11 Okayama Okayama 4/8-13/8 KIDS/ELD/MENT 3
Sponsor: Time Capsule
Terminal: Kansai International Airport
Background: Time Capsule is in a rural area of Okayama city and was established 4 years ago by four housewives to provide 24-hours and 365-days care to those who are in need. Their motto is to provide necessary care in whenever and for whomever and they accept people in all ages, with problems, with disabilities. About 20 Japanese are registered as volunteers and have been making big efforts for those who come to the house.
Work: Helping children, disabled children, and elderly people who come to the house, volunteers will spend enjoyable time with them. During this camp, a festival, called URAJA MATSURI, will be held in the area and some of the children will take part in the festival with unique costume and making up. Volunteers will also do the preparation with those children for the festival. Why dont you join it! Volunteers should be cheerful and enthusiastic and should like people.
Accommodation: Volunteers will stay at the house of the organization. Catering service for all meals will be provided to all volunteers, however they should pay 700 JPY (about 5 EUROS) per person per day for meals during their stay.
Location: Okayama prefecture, located in Western Japan, has a warm climate and beautiful scenery. It is surrounded by the picturesque Seto Inland Sea and magnificent Chugoku mountains. Okayama is a convenient city as it is the gateway to the Chugoku and Shikoku regions and is a hub of transportation and tourism. There are many historic spots and places of interest dotted around Okayama Prefecture and many literary artists have emerged in this cultural city from ancient times. In the art galleries and museums in this prefecture, one can trace the achievements of these great people. Walking through the beautifully preserved traditional streets, you will be able to immerse yourself in the peaceful Japanese scenery. Besides this there are hot springs and leisure spots where you can enjoy Okayamas nature. Blessed with mild weather, this area is rich in marine and farm products. Why dont you try some of the traditional dishes in Okayama!