📝 Detailed information
🏢 About the local organisation
Minna de Shi (meaning All Shi in Japanese) 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. The host organization expects this project to stimulate the community and accelerate the international communication and cultural exchange among Japanese and international volunteer members. Volunteers will first work in an area called Mimasaka KOSE (ca 1/2 aOa a). It is organized by an 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 festival event. They play such an active role in this community. Volunteers also have a chance to stay with a local family who have experienced hosting international students or lived in overseas. Mimasaka sightseeing Navi: http://www.city.mimasaka.lg.jp/kanko/Kose area information http://www.web-okayama.jp/kose/Torikazeeurohttp://torikaze.jp/
💼 What the programme involves
Work in Kose area (10 July to 30 July)This summer, volunteers of this project will - Prepare for the local summer festival- Cook meals of volunteers home country and serve for the visitors- Clean a shrine and the accommodationVolunteers join a workcamp in Mimasaka city (CIEEJ1906) from 30 July to 12 August- Presentation of meals of your home country- Attending International Youth program- Experiencing Japanese culture like KABUKI- Helping cooking class in English and classes of English and other languages - Pruning trees of hydrangea
🏠 Accommodation on site
In Kose area, volunteers stay in Japanese style share house Torikaze http://torikaze.jp/room After joining with the group of CIEEJ 1906 workcamp, each volunteer stays with a local family separately.Meals are prepared by volunteers at Torikaze, provided by host families in the second week.
📍 About the location
Kose is an area of MImasaka city. Mimasaka city is located in OKAYAMA prefecture in the western part of the mainland of Japan and it 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. It takes one and half hours by train (JR Kishin line) from the nearest train station to Himeji city in HYOGO prefecture. Their landmark Himeji Castle was designated as a national treasure in 1931 and the World Cultural Heritage in 1993. 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 agreement with your host family in advance. A volunteer is recommended to bring 5,000-20,000yen for sightseeing, souvenirs, and other personal expenses.
ℹ️ Additional information
-Volunteers are treated as a family member, NOT a guest. You may need to do your laundry by yourself, help do dishes, clean rooms. Follow house rules and instruction by MIEA staff.Dont go out without permission of your host family after dark. Getting out for drink at night is not allowed.-Prepare presentation of your home country including recipe of meals representing your home country. Volunteers are expected to cook for 10 people. Bring ingredients and seasonings which you cant get in Japan.- Should bring: Cotton gloves, long sleeve shirts and long pants to cover your hands, arms and legs, a hat or a cap, water bottle, rain coat, sunscreen, bath towels, facial towels, anti-mosquito bites spray, medicine you need. If your foot size is over 28cm, bring a pair of rain boots covering your shins.