Ogi

CODE: NICE-26S-0809A

Work:

The main work of is (1) cutting weeds and brushwood of the forest with using machines, (2)practicing soba-making almost every night and selling it at local events, and (3)playing Japanese drums at the local festival (for this we practice several times at night). To do various tasks for the local community.

Accomodation and food

Cottage in the forest. Please bring your sleeping bag! Everyone will sleep same room. Volunteers prepare the meals by themselves. Internet cannot be connected in the site.
There is simple toilet, kitchen and shower room. Please be ready for simple forest life!

Location and leisure

300 km northeast of Tokyo. Sado Island is famous for gold and the Japanese crested ibis. Ogi village is in the southern part beside the beach, where you can enjoy fishing and the hot spring! (https://goo.gl/maps/wSCq3PyfZT32) Other activities - Exchange parties, fishing, swimming in the sea etc.

Project hosted by

Since 2001, this project has been actively working on SDG15 (Protect the richness of land) in collaboration with a local volunteer group "Morito" on Sado Island. The group manages a forest called "Furusato no Mori Park" in Ogi Town, where local people can enjoy the forest in all seasons. The members of this group are all elderly, so they hope that young people and foreign volunteers will empower the area mentally and physically. Volunteers take care of about 5.7 hectares of fields every year (mowing the grass)! Volunteers also parade around the area playing Japanese drums at local festivals. This is also a good encouragement for the area that various people are supporting this place.
*Outcome of this work camp: See the presentation that the volunteers gave at the IVS contest in Japan. https://www.slideshare.net/nice-workcamp/2018-e3 (Currently only in Japanese, but at least you can enjoy the photos!)

Directions to meeting point

Additional comments

Study theme - Volunteers get knowledge and skill about making Soba and playing the Japanese drum. Also, the basic knowledge of the Japanese language and local culture. Participation fee - 18,000 JPY (99 EUR by the rate on 2026 Feb. 14) 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 staff/ camp leaders, visa invitation cost, publications, etc. while the meals and the accommodation are provided by the local host by free (so, your fee is not used for those things!). Other - "Earth Celebration Festival" = from 21th to 23th Aug. "Ogi Matsuri" = 29th and 30th Aug.