ARI Family Blog

On February 7th and 8th, a two-day activity report session by Ms. Naomi Iwamoto from Japan Overseas Christian Medical Cooperative Service (JOCS) was held at ARI and UCCJ Nishinasuno Church. Despite the cold snap that hit over the weekend, many people attended. We listened intently to the profound life stories Ms. Iwamoto shared, as she spoke about each child by name. In Bangladesh, children with disabilities often have no choice but to be tied to a pillar in their homes, kept locked away, or left to wander the streets during … Read more

In wintertime, the ARI campus typically gets quiet. Participants have returned home, the farm fields are frozen, and ARI community members recharge while preparing for the next class. This year, however, the ARI community was abuzz with a different type of learner: college students from St. Olaf College, based in Northfield, Minnesota, USA. Undergrads specializing in environmental science and Japanese area studies, the students came for a winter session special class on environmental issues in Japan, and ARI played the host for two weeks of the course. St. Olaf students … Read more

At ARI, alongside the nine‑month Rural Leaders Training Program, we also welcome trainees from a variety of organizations, including sending bodies of overseas graduates and the Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers. One student from the specialized agriculture Ainō High School, Ōsuke, has been training at ARI since last spring. On January 27, he presented the results of his learning to the community. While living alongside people from diverse cultural backgrounds, he deepened his studies on the farm, focusing especially on pig raising. Another long‑term farm trainee this year, Kōshi, is a … Read more

On January 17th, we successfully held ARI Friends Day with the generous support of many people. Thank you very much to everyone who attended! Training Assistants Veh and Jeremiya hosted a talk session, where they shared stories of their powerful work and passion within rural communities in their home countries. Many attendees also enjoyed the cakes they made and sold as the culmination of their training. Many first-time visitors participated in Tree Climbing®, immersing themselves in nature within our forest. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Jun Tree Service for … Read more

On January 19, ARI community held its New Year mochi(rice‑cake)pounding. Students from St. Olaf College, who are currently training at ARI, joined in as well. Taking turns with the kine (mallets), everyone warmed up as they pounded the rice, and then enjoyed the freshly made mochi together.

St. Olaf College’s (Minnesota, USA) fifth January special program at the ARI, since 2016, began on January 13 with 20 St. Olaf students and two faculty members. Focusing on the theme of Japanese food, agriculture, environment, and sustainability, the program involves living at the ARI while fully utilizing its curriculum and environment. This includes visits to farms and facilities, as well as field studies such as learning about the Nasu Canal. On 17th January, the group travelled to Fukushima Prefecture to learn about the realities of the effects of the … Read more

Today, our entire community came together for a grand spring cleaning ahead of Friends Day. We dusted the walls, cleared away cobwebs, and used shovels to scrape off the ice from the shaded areas on the grounds and the path leading to ARI. While the weather looks promising for the weekend, we recommend wearing shoes with good grip (deep treads) if you are concerned about slippery spots. All of us in the community are looking forward to seeing you there! About ARI Friends Day: https://ari.ac.jp/en/friends-day-2026/

We’ll be sharing the beautiful scenery of ARI Campus in Nasushiobara and the “now” of our farm. We hope these glimpses of daily life at ARI bring you a moment of peace and make you feel connected to us. Please check out our Stories (and Highlights)!

Happy New Year! After our students completed their programs and returned to their home countries late last year, the campus has become quiet. However, there are no holidays for the lives on our farm. ☀️ Currently, our small team of dedicated volunteers is taking full responsibility for caring for the goats, pigs, and chickens. Even on this freezing New Year’s morning, we are deeply encouraged by the lively sounds of the animals and the devotion of the volunteers. 🐐🐖🐓 Though our numbers are few, the spirit of celebration is as … Read more

Since our last year-end update received so many “Likes,” we decided to add a special alternative version! 🎥 Year-End Update (1): “Gift of Hope” Reel + This Year’s ARI Song! We have uploaded a new version of the “Gift of Hope to Bring Back to the Community” Reel to Instagram and Facebook, now featuring a special soundtrack. The song is “Monene,” an African Gospel song that became the “Song of the Year” for ARI. The participants sang it during their Study Trip and at the commencemnet ceremony to share with … Read more