Makiko Abe

Our annual Golden Week tradition, English Farm Camp, was a wonderful success again this year! Under the theme “Farm is Friend,” we had a packed program including a hands-on Hugelkultur experience, a special curry workshop led by Vero, and the chance to share meals and farm work with ARI community. While most participants were visiting ARI for the first time, both children and adults bonded quickly. It was a high-energy, soul-nourishing three days for everyone involved. A huge thank you to each and every person who joined us from near … Read more

For one week starting April 26th, we welcomed a delegation of eight visitors from the Huria Kristen Batak Protestan (HKBP), the organization that has produced the largest number of ARI graduates. Based in North Sumatra, HKBP is the largest Protestant church in Indonesia. Among the visitors was a graduate who is a coffee farmer from the Lintong region, famous for its delicious coffee, and they kindly brought a generous gift of their beans for us. Of the eight visitors, four were graduates from the classes of 2006 to 2014, and … Read more

A few years ago, many participants expressed strong interest in beekeeping, creating a valuable learning opportunity for ARI. Fortunately, one of our dedicated volunteers, Mr. Takafumi Miyake—an expert in honeybee cultivation—generously offered to establish a beekeeping initiative at ARI. This initiative not only provided hands-on training in sustainable honey production, hive management, and pollination practices, but also opened pathways for environmental education, livelihood development, and community engagement. Through this effort, ARI gained the capacity to both learn and teach beekeeping, empowering participants with practical skills, promoting biodiversity, and supporting local … Read more

At ARI, we aim to live in harmony with nature and are working to create a climate-resilient SATOYAMA campus. It all began a few years ago with the creation of a “Meditation Path” in the forest, followed by the development of grazing areas for goats, the planning of events to foster a connection with the forest, etc. And recently, I worked alongside our young staff to build a stage (an outdoor classroom) in the forest. While it is, of course, a joy to see the forest preserved and nurtured, it … Read more

This spring, ARI is reflecting on climate change through the stories of our graduates. For our third feature, we highlight ARI’s activity for climate change. At ARI, we have the Climate Change Action Committee, a voluntary group of staff members which include our director. They work on various projects to protect the environment, both within ARI and in the local community. Key achievements from last year include: • Creating educational panels about Hügelkultur*.• Reducing plastic use in agricultural activities. Manosi Abe Chatterjee, our Curriculum Coordinator and a committee member, says: … Read more

We are excited to announce that our Spring Used Book Market has officially begun! Come browse a huge selection of books and discover delicious products from ARI. Fri, April 17 – Sat, 25 *Closed on Sun, April 19OPEN11:00-16:00 On Saturdays and Wednesday, we’ll be serving our famous Curry and Chai! Special Event: Ohinata Marche (Tomorrow, April 18)Tomorrow only, the beloved local Ohinata Marche joins us at the book market. At the ARI booth, we are excited to offer fresh, never-frozen pork blocks! You can also enjoy a variety of goods … Read more

This spring, ARI is reflecting on climate change through the stories of our community. For our third feature, we highlight John Nyondo (Class of 1983) and Judith Daka (Class of 2001), a dedicated couple working in Zambia.Facing a severe food crisis caused by intense droughts, John and Judith are applying the organic farming techniques they learned at ARI to sustain their community. Their inspiring journey was recently featured in Asahi Shimbun Digital “with Planet” (April 7th).Article Title:“Changing the Soil to Save Lives: Japanese Organic Farming in Food-Crisis-Stricken Zambia (Part 1)”We … Read more

As I hear about the increasingly chaotic state of world affairs and the various news stories where life is treated with such disregard, my heart grows heavier and heavier… However, at the recent opening ceremony, I was able to regain my hope. “They will beat their swords into plowshares / and their spears into pruning hooks. / Nation will not take up sword against nation, / nor will they train for war anymore” (Isaiah 2:4). Ms. Mochizuki from Zenkoku Tomo-no-Kai, who delivered the congratulatory address, quoted this biblical passage displayed … Read more

Linking Hearts Under the Sakura: A Day of Good Food and Fun Games!

2026.4.11.