News

At the Asian Rural Institute (ARI), winter is in full swing, and the weather has been bringing its own quiet charm to the campus. The crisp air and changing scenery remind us of the beauty of nature in this season. Whether it’s the frost on the fields or the stillness of the mornings, there’s something peaceful about this time of year. As we enjoy these winter days, we’re also looking forward to April, when a new group of participants will join the ARI community. Their arrival is always an exciting … Read more

The ARI community kicked off the New Year with a vibrant mochi-making event, showcasing the traditional Japanese ceremony of mochitsuki. The community came together to pound steamed sticky rice (mochigome) into mochi using traditional tools like a wooden mortar and pestle. The rhythmic pounding brought everyone together, reflecting ARI’s values of collaboration and unity. After the mochi was prepared, everyone enjoyed it with various delicious fillings, including sweet red bean paste, savory daikon radish paste, kinako (roasted soybean flour with sugar), and nori (seaweed). A special highlight was the preparation … Read more

RICE Media, an online platform addressing social issues through engaging content, paid a visit to the Asian Rural Institute to explore the impactful work being carried out by our community. During their time here, they interviewed volunteers, staff members, and other community members who make ARI a hub for sustainable development and peacebuilding in rural areas worldwide. The interview culminated in a vibrant post on Instagram that beautifully captured the essence of our mission. From discussions about organic farming to glimpses into our collaborative lifestyle, RICE Media’s coverage shed light … Read more

Happy New Year! Even after the Class of 2024 has gone home, ARI staff and volunteers continue working and living on the campus. Including for New Years! To celebrate, community members prepared traditional Japanese New Years food, Osechi. Designed to celebrate the new year and wish for good harvests in the coming seasons, each item on the plate has its own meaning. Even in a smaller gathering like now, ARI community members enjoyed feast and fellowship to welcome the new year. We look forward to a healthy and fruitful 2025, … Read more

“Director’s Report”ARI has been on holiday since the 28th, but yesterday (30th), Hidehiko Hino, founder of SEBONE (spine) Conditioning, visited ARI. We took advantage of this opportunity and asked Mr. Hino to conduct a hands-on class, which was attended by 17 staff members and volunteers. SEBONE (spine) Conditioning aims to improve and alleviate symptoms by improving the distortion of the spine through exercises and hands-on techniques. Many of the members who took part suffered muscle aches here and there the next day because they exercised a lot of muscles that … Read more