This project is actively working for SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDGs 15 (Life on Land), organized together with a local group Transition Village Gokayama from 2025.Houbikiso, a former lodging facility near the World Heritage site Suganuma Gassho-style Village, has been repurposed as a place to learn and practice living in harmony with the Gokayama climate, living using the wisdom of the past in a Gassho-style building, and living in which people, animals, and plants coexist and circulate. The hosts are making small changes to the place and building the community. Together with volunteers from Japan and around the world, they hope to pass on the local cultural traditions to future generations. Currently, due to the aging population, there are few people who can take care of the thatched roofs with their history (which are grown on the slopes of the mountain) or grow traditional vegetables.
İş Tanımı
The main tasks of the volunteers are 1. Cutting/Maintaining thatched grass (mountain areas) for repairing traditional roofs, 2. Farming some traditional vegetables and 3. Doing work for community
Konaklama ve Yemek
Volunteers share rooms or have your own rooms. Volunteers cook most of their own meals. Mobile phone signals may be weak. Compost toilets, kitchens, and shower rooms are available. Please bring your own sleeping bag. Please be prepared for very simple mountain life.
Konum ve Serbest Zaman
Gokayama and Suganuma village in the Hokuriku region of Japan is a World Heritage Site, a village of Gassho-style houses, and a special place where beautiful scenery changes with the seasons and traditional culture lives on. (https://maps.app.goo.gl/a7SWiKQgTDoWxBf17) Other activities - Partying with locals, hiking, hot springs, etc.
Notlar
Study theme - Volunteers will acquire knowledge and skills related to Gokayama's traditional architecture and thatching, as well as basic Japanese language and local culture. Participation fee - 36,000 JPY (200 EUR by the rate on 2025 Nov. 3rd) for MTV (30-182 days participation) and 72,000 JPY (400 EUR by the rate on 2025 Nov. 3rd) for LTV (over 182 days participation) of NICE Volunteers fee need to be paid in advance either by Card or PayPal. This is used for the project preparation and 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. Other - The first and last 2 days are On Arrival and Evaluation Seminars in Yokohama. Follow the Instagram(@houbikisou) to see the volunteers’ daily activities.
Konuşulan Diller
Japanese
En Yakın Terminal
From Tokyo, it takes 4.5 hours by Shinkansen and bus, or 6 hours by highway night bus to the project location. However, volunteers need to join On Arrival and Evaluation Seminars in Yokohama, so firstly should arrive at Tokyo airport (NRT or HND) by 08:00 on the starting day and can leave Tokyo airport after 18:00 on the ending day.