NICE Oi Very Short-Term Workcamp 2026

The NICE Oi Very Short-Term Workcamp takes place in the rural community of Oi in Anan City, Tokushima Prefecture, Japan.
The programme is organised by NICE in cooperation with the local Asagimadara Wide-Area Cultural Preservation Association. The project aims to support a rural community facing challenges linked to population decline, ageing and the maintenance of local agricultural and cultural resources.
Volunteers participate in practical community activities such as agricultural work, harvesting citrus fruit and shikimi, cultural exchange with local children, cleaning vacant houses and shrines, woodland maintenance and environmental clean-up activities.
Participants also have opportunities to interact with local residents and experience rural Japanese culture beyond the country's major tourist destinations.
Accommodation is provided in a volunteer house created from a renovated traditional property. Participants live together and share responsibility for preparing meals.

• Applicants should normally be at least 18 years old.
• Applicants should be physically and mentally healthy enough to participate.
• Participants should have genuine motivation for volunteer work.
• Applicants should be willing to participate actively and responsibly.
• Participants should respect the local community, culture and other volunteers.
• Basic conversational English is expected where English is the working language.
• Participants should be comfortable with simple accommodation and communal living.
• Applicants should be willing to prepare meals together with other volunteers.
• The Oi project looks for participants who can think independently and act proactively.
• International applicants living outside Japan should normally apply through a NICE partner organisation.

• Accommodation provided during the workcamp.
• Food support provided through the local host arrangement.
• Experience living in a rural Japanese community.
• Hands-on agricultural experience.
• Participation in citrus and shikimi harvesting.
• Cultural exchange with local children and residents.
• Community regeneration experience.
• Environmental and heritage-related volunteer activities.
• International teamwork experience.
• Opportunity to experience local Japanese traditions and rural life.

NICE does not publish a fixed project-specific document checklist for the Oi workcamp.

Applicants should be prepared to provide:

• Completed application form.
• Personal information required by NICE or the sending organisation.
• Passport information where necessary for international participation.
• Any additional forms requested after acceptance.
• Visa-related documents where applicable.
• Parental consent if participating under an approved under-18 exception.

• Motivation to participate in volunteer work.
• Willingness to contribute actively.
• Responsibility and cooperation.
• Respect for local culture and community members.
• Ability to adapt to simple communal living.
• Basic communication ability in English where required.
• Physical and mental readiness.
• Initiative and proactive participation.

• Experience authentic rural life in Japan.
• Contribute to local agriculture and community development.
• Participate in meaningful cultural exchange.
• Work with local residents and international volunteers.
• Develop teamwork and intercultural communication skills.
• Learn about rural sustainability and community regeneration.
• Experience Japan beyond major tourist destinations.
• Contribute to environmental and heritage-related activities.