Ozuchi 4

CODE: NICE-25S-0904A

Background: This project is actively working for SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDGs 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), organized together with Shizentaiken Ozuchi Mura since 2013, founded by local people to keep the original landscape. There were 140 inhabitants with 20 houses in 1916, but now only one person lives there. Still 10 houses remained and the area was designated as Nation's Preservation District for Groups of Historic Buildings. We will try to improve the situation by young voluntary power. Since 2016, Ozuchi village and NICE have started weekend workcamps and over 400 vols. joined here per year and love this village! Local host hope to pass this village down the next generations! *Outcome of this workcamp: This village had become abandoned, but one of the former villagers was maintaining the terraced rice fields alone from his home in the town. But through the workcamps working together with him, he has gotten so empowered that he started living there again since 2018!

Work: We will do various work to activate the area and success their culture. Main work may be one of (1) maintaining rice and vegetables’ fields for sustainable life (2) communicating with local people. And do some other work for the community.

Accomodation and food

Renovated house (traditional house!). Simple shower room. Clean toilet. Sleeping bag is needed! Food will be cooked by volunteers. There is a cat. Wi-Fi is available at the base facility, but internet access may be difficult due to the mountainous terrain.

Study theme: Revival of the abandon villages. Bring some info.! Volunteers get knowledge about actions for developing local village. Also the basic knowledge of the Japanese language and local culture.

Other activities: Exchange parties, trekking and hot spring etc.

Location: The southwest part of Ishikawa prefecture. Ozuchi village is surrounded by mountains, so very isolated, but beautiful place. Charcoal making was main industry.

Terminal: Nearest Domestic terminal is Komatsu. International airport is Osaka (Kansai) or Tokyo (Haneda/ Narita). From Osaka, 4 hours by express train. From Tokyo, 5 hours by express train/ 8 hours by night bus (Meeting time is First day's 2 pm, Departure time is Last day's 12 pm at Kaga-Onsen station)

Requirements: High motivation to work hard and simple life in the isolated area and respect to the local culture and
way of the local organization!

Participant fee: 9,000 JPY (55 EUR by the rate on 2023 Nov. 18th) 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.

Language: English (Japanese is also welcomed!)

Other: Please see the presentation made by the volunteer for the IVS contest in Japan; https://www.slideshare.net/nice-workcamp/2017e2 (only Japanese for the moment, but you can at least enjoy the pictures!)