Inaka Gurashi Internship 'Wakaba Furusato Kyoryokutai'

The NPO Earth Greenery Center, which works on environmental issues, coexistence between nature and people, and building a sustainable society under the theme "Greenery Nurtures People," is holding the program 'Wakaba Furusato Kyoryokutai' in six regions nationwide, allowing participants to fully experience rural life for a short period.

As the program's activities primarily involve volunteer work alongside current 'Midori no Furusato Kyoryokutai' members staying in the region (including experiencing local industries, helping out, experiencing traditional arts, and interacting with local residents), no special experience or qualifications are required.

We welcome applications from those interested in regional activities and life, such as: "I want to know the current situation in rural areas!" "I've always dreamed of living in the countryside," "I want to try farming," or "I want to do something meaningful during my vacation!"

⬇︎ 2026 Fiscal Year Wakaba Furusato Kyoryokutai Brochure

Details and Application Here

Voices from Past Program Participants

"I felt a richness of spirit that cannot be experienced in the city" (20s, Student) 2025: Toyone Village, Aichi Prefecture

Community Gathering

I felt the warmth and strong connections of the people of Toyone Village. It was an experience that became precious to me, offering a richness that cannot be found in the city.

Residents, regardless of age, are as close as relatives, and many people spoke to us newcomers. While Toyone Village left a strong impression of abundant nature, after spending five days there, I came to love Toyone Village for its "warm community."

"Two things I didn't realize in my hometown: 'We do things ourselves' and 'Coexisting with nature'" (20s, Student) 2025: Okawa Village, Kochi Prefecture

Clear spring water from the mountains

Okawa Village has no public water supply, so spring water from the mountains is used for daily life. I heard that when the water pump gets clogged, they clean it themselves, which made me realize how much we rely on others for things related to our daily lives. I also heard from a farmer, "There are bad insects that harm vegetables, but there are also good insects that eat those bad insects." Hearing that, I felt that while we may suffer damage from nature, we also receive benefits, so they live in harmony with nature by accepting both the good and the bad.

"I want people to remember that this kind of countryside supports Japan" (20s, Company Employee) 2023: Oguni Town, Yamagata Prefecture

Participant gazing at rice stalks

This was the statement that struck me the most. Normally, I am a consumer who can get things by paying money, and I had forgotten that we receive food thanks to the efforts of people like these farmers behind the scenes.

I don't want this beautiful scenery of swaying rice stalks, of rice disappearing. It was a problem that felt somewhat distant to me. I want to start by paying attention.

By interacting with new people in unfamiliar places, I was able to encounter new things and experiences. I realized that by changing something from the ordinary, my perspective changes, bringing awareness, learning, enjoyment, and a realization of my own ignorance.

▶︎ Voices from past participants can be found here (Midori no Furusato Kyoryokutai note)

'Wakaba Furusato Kyoryokutai' Program Details

'Wakaba Furusato Kyoryokutai' is a program where participants stay in rural mountain villages for a short period and experience rural life and community contribution through volunteer activities.

During the program, coordinators will be members and alumni of the year-long resident volunteer program 'Midori no Furusato Kyoryokutai' who are staying in the region. They will guide participants through activities closely related to local life and interactions with local residents.

Not only can you experience rural industries such as agriculture, but through the 'Midori no Furusato Kyoryokutai' members and activities, you can experience the current situation and charm of rural life that you never knew before. This can also help you enhance your image of having a second job, taking a gap year, or relocating to a rural area.

Details and Application Here

【Program Details】

Participating Regions: 6 locations nationwide

Stay Dates: 2 nights 3 days to 4 nights 5 days

※ Varies by region

Participation Fee: ¥28,000 (4 nights 5 days)

¥25,000 (3 nights 4 days)

¥22,000 (2 nights 3 days)

(Includes accommodation, meals, and volunteer insurance)

Eligibility: (1) Healthy individuals aged 18 to approximately 45 (2) Able to participate for the entire duration (3) Able to engage in activities with enthusiasm

【Regions and Dates】

Oguni Town, Yamagata Prefecture

Dates: August 1, 2026 (Sat) - August 3, 2026 (Mon) 2 nights 3 days

Application Deadline: July 23, 2026 (Thu)

Capacity: 2 people

Hinokage Town, Miyazaki Prefecture

Dates: August 24, 2026 (Mon) - August 28, 2026 (Fri) 4 nights 5 days

Application Deadline: August 14, 2026 (Fri)

Capacity: 3 people

Toyone Village, Aichi Prefecture

Dates: September 19, 2026 (Sat) - September 22, 2026 (Tue) 3 nights 4 days

Application Deadline: September 9, 2026 (Wed)

Capacity: 3 people

Kaminocho, Okayama Prefecture

Dates: September 19, 2026 (Sat) - September 23, 2026 (Wed) 4 nights 5 days

Application Deadline: September 9, 2026 (Wed)

Capacity: 5 people

Morotsuka Village, Miyazaki Prefecture

Dates: October 22, 2026 (Wed) - October 26, 2026 (Mon) 4 nights 5 days

Application Deadline: October 12, 2026 (Mon)

Capacity: 3 people

Taketa Area, Sakai City, Fukui Prefecture

Dates: November 21, 2026 (Sat) - November 23, 2026 (Mon) 4 nights 5 days

Application Deadline: November 11, 2026 (Wed)

Capacity: 3 people

【Experience Content】

Experiences during the stay vary and include agricultural work, livestock farming, crafts, traditional crafts, assisting with festivals, and interacting with local residents.

As the program primarily consists of volunteer activities such as experiencing local industries, no special experience or qualifications are required.

※ Activity content varies by region. Please apply after viewing the dates and activity details here.

※ Activity content is subject to change due to weather and local conditions. Please understand this in advance.

Agricultural Experience Craft Experience Festival Assistance

Traditional Industry Experience Interaction with Local Residents Possibly a Starry Sky if You're Lucky?

For those who, after participating in the program, find that they enjoyed the experience and life in the region and wish to experience more, there is a possibility to step up to the year-long rural mountain resident volunteer program, 'Midori no Furusato Kyoryokutai,' starting next year.

What is Midori no Furusato Kyoryokutai?

'Midori no Furusato Kyoryokutai' is a one-year volunteer program that connects young people interested in rural life and ways of living with rural communities that want to be revitalized. Host organizations for the members are local governments and public organizations. While living in the region for one year, members engage in various activities such as assisting with agriculture and forestry, helping at community-run facilities, and participating in regional activities and events organized by residents, all aimed at regional revitalization and personal growth. Through these diverse activities, members not only build communities and relationships unique to rural areas but also rediscover their own values and become irreplaceable assets to the community. For those interested in rural life or working in rural areas, those who want to change their current selves, or those who want to pause and reflect on their lives, why not spend a year broadening your life's horizons in a rural mountain village where time flows slowly, through the activities of the Kyoryokutai?

Request Information for Midori no Furusato Kyoryokutai Here

Operating Organization: NPO Earth Greenery Center

NPO Earth Greenery Center, under the theme "Greenery Nurtures People," aims to address environmental issues such as global warming, coexistence between nature and people, and the creation of a sustainable society, and engages in initiatives centered on volunteer activities both domestically and internationally.

▶︎ Earth Greenery Center HP: https://www.n-gec.org/

▶︎ Midori no Furusato Kyoryokutai HP: https://www.n-gec.org/activities/furusato.html

▶︎ Wakaba Furusato Kyoryokutai Detailed Information: https://www.n-gec.org/activities/wakaba.html

▶︎ Inquiries:

・ Inquiries by email: [email protected]

・ Inquiries by phone: 03-5542-0132 (10:00 - 17:00)

FACT BOX

  • Source: PR TIMES
  • Category: Event募集