International workcamp and Homestay (MTV1) /OKAYAMA

Japan Culture Manual work Culture Manual work Permanent

About the project

📝 Detailed information

🏢 About the local organisation

Minnade Shoei is a local group in Okayama prefecture to support the foundation of new organization in Mimasaka area. They are working to improve civic activities and facilitate collaboration and networking among different organizations. Most membership organizations belong to environment, child care or community support section to solve ongoing social problems. They started STV project with CIEE Japan 20 years ago and started MTV last year. The host organization expects this project to stimulate the community and accelerate the international communication and cultural exchange among Japanese and international volunteer members. A volunteer will first work in an area called Mimasaka KOSE (美作市巨勢). It is led by a local NPO named Torikaze, founded in 2014 in order to make the rural area more revitalized and attractive to visitors and new settlers. Their activities are based on a community center which was used to be an elementary school for long time. By remodeling the gymnasium, they host events such as music recital and matsuri event. They play such an active role in this community. A volunteer have a chance to stay with a local host family who have experienced hosting international students or lived in overseas. This is a 3rd year CIEE Japan hosts a project with Torikaze. Elementary school VIDEO https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GZXRlej5AzE Tea Farm VIDEO https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G28YbRSzEXA Music Café Event VIDEO https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-byUUNAyxM

💼 What the programme involves

This is a unique MTV project which volunteers work solely with local Japanese people in the first 2 weeks, then work together with STV participants from CIEEJ1704 project (July 13-30). Many preparations in local festivals, doing agricultural work, attending culture exchange events [PART 1] Between June 29 – July 13 There will be many events and works such as follows: Preparing/participating local MATSURI　festival, mowing tea farms and cleaning local temple, communicating with infant/children and their mothers (20-30s). Volunteers may also help issuing local newspaper. Volunteers are expected to work cooperatively in a group, and work well. KOSE is located in Mimasaka-city of Okayama prefecture. http://www.web-okayama.jp/kose/ (you can also see international workcamp diary at the bottom of this webpage) [PART 2] Between July 13- July 30 -Cleaning a shrine, river, walking trails, public facilities and a school -Doing an environmental work on the riverside and a shrine -Joining English day camp at local high school -Cycling in Mimasaka area for tourism promotion -Introducing cuisine of your country -Participating a local MATSURI festival/welcome party/farewell event -Experiencing Japanese traditional culture

🏠 Accommodation on site

Accommodation: Each volunteer will stay separately in a local host family’s house. Volunteers should follow house rules such as “Curfew” at 6:00 PM every day. Experience at least 2 different host families during the project Facilities: Bedding will be provided. There are a washer, a kitchen, a lavatory and a bathroom. Internet may not be available depending on the family. Please always ask your host family when you use, a washer or a kitchen, etc. You may need to do the laundry by yourself or your laundry will be washed together with family’s and be asked to help with it. Please be flexible and helpful. Meals: Three meals a day will be provided. A volunteer who has an allergy (or preference) in wheat, meat or fish can not be accepted because those are often served in a Japanese meal and a family does not prepare meals by individual request. A volunteer is also expected to eat rice, miso soup, fish (sometimes raw) as well as meat (chicken, pork and beef) on a daily basis without any problem

📍 About the location

Mimasaka-city (http://kanko.city.mimasaka.lg.jp/ ) is famous for beautiful landscapes and hot springs. The most notable sightseeing spot is the birthplace of Musashi Miyamoto (1584~1645), the strongest swords man handling two swords at the same time. Hayashino Station is located about one and half hours by train (JR Kishin line) from Himeji city in Hyogo prefecture. Their landmark Himeji Castle was designated as a national treasure in 1931, and the World Cultural Heritage in 1993.

⚠️ Requirements

1. Japanese language (conversational level) is required (we will check the level on the motivation letter) 2. Every volunteer must be able to ride on a bicycle for 5 km (sometimes up to 20 km) a day. A volunteer is expected to be physical strong and tough under the strong summer sunlight. 3. No volunteer is accepted if he/she has a strong allergy in cats, dogs or house dust 4. It is required that volunteers should prepare and bring things you can perform/display at an international exchange event. Pictures, CD, books, magazines, toys, games or snacks of your country are suggested. You can have your own booth, display them and give presentation about your country at this event. Also, please bring home countries’ recipes and ingredients. 20 more people will come to enjoy this event with International volunteer 5. A couple is not allowed at all. We accept one volunteer from each organization 6. A motivation letter (more than 10 sentences long) is required. Please include your interest, motivation, experience and strength of yourself both in English and Japanese. Clothes suitable for activities, such as T-shirts, pants, and sneakers. Long-sleeved shirts and a hat/cap, sun glasses are a must. In addition to clothing, please bring toiletries, towels, raincoat, medicine (for cold, painkiller) and other things you need for your daily life.Rain boots are needed only those who foot is over 10 inch Regarding the schedule on Sundays, please ask your host family if they have any plan made for the day before you make your own schedules. Keep in mind that you are strongly expected to spend time with your host family on weekends. Please do not make any plan with your friends on weekends without agreeing with your host family in advance. A volunteer needs at least 30,000 JPY in cash if she wants to go sightseeing on free-day.

ℹ️ Additional information

You will be frequently asked to introduce yourself to local people especially in cultural exchanges settings. Please be prepared and enjoy that exposure. You are expected to have a good relationship with their host family. Therefore, helping housework actively and refraining yourself from going out at night are appreciated.

Interested in this project? Create your account and apply online.

📅 Available sessions

CIEEJ1719

29/06/2017 → 30/07/2017

Closed

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ℹ️ Key information

Age required

18–25 years old

Solidarity donation

0.00

French tax residents may be eligible for a tax reduction of up to 66% of their costs (membership, plane tickets, solidarity donation).

📍 Location

Hayashino Station, Sakaemachi, Mimasaka, Okayama 707-0025, Japan

Japan

🌍 Location info

Local currency

Japan Yen (JPY / ¥)

Exchange rate

1 JPY = 0.005641 EUR

Rate as of 31/05/2026

🛡️ Before you leave

Security information

📞 Contact us

[email protected]

+32 2 888 67 13

Contact form

✅ Features

🗣️ Languages spoken

English Japanese