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New Year mochi pounding
2026/01/21
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.
“People & Places:Tomoko’s Report”
2026/01/19
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 Nuclear Power Plant’s accident following the Great East Japan Earthquake and the path to recovery in the affected areas. The guide was Dr. Hideki Ishii of Fukushima University, who provided explanations and answered questions meticulously. The photograph shows the front of Futabaya Ryokan (Inn) in the Odaka of Minamisōma City. We had lunch there and heard from the landlady, Ms. Tomoko Kobayashi. Accompanying this tour I was struck anew by how unique the scars of the Great East Japan Earthquake in Fukushima Prefecture are, and the path the people have since followed. It was a day that also deeply impressed upon me how that journey continues, day after day, to this very moment.
Preparations for Friends Day are in full swing!
2026/01/15
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 are restarting our Instagram and Facebook Stories!
2026/01/13
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)!
🎉【We won the Grand Prize at the 15th Kubota-Mainichi Earth Future Award!】🏆
2026/01/10
Thank you for always supporting the Asian Rural Institute. We are thrilled to announce that ARI has been awarded the “Grand Prize” in the General Category of the 15th Kubota-Mainichi Earth Future Award, organized by The Mainichi Newspapers.
This award honors organizations and individuals tackling the 21st-century global challenges of “Food,” “Water,” and the “Environment.”
We were recognized for:
🌱 Practicing a life of “Living with the Soil” with rural leaders from developing countries for about 50 years.
🌱 Maintaining a food self-sufficiency rate of over 90% through organic, chemical-free, integrated farming.
🌱 Our diverse efforts in gender equity and peacebuilding.
This achievement is thanks to all of you who support us.
🎥 Online Livestream Announcement The “Award Commemorative Activity Report Meeting” will be live-streamed on YouTube on Saturday, February 14th. Please tune in to watch ARI’s presentation and talk session.
■ Commemorative Report Meeting Date & Time: Feb 14 (Sat) 14:00–16:30 (JST) Stream URL: https://youtube.com/live/Esh_i9X7f8Y
Related Article: https://www.mainichi.co.jp/event/aw/chikyumirai/
We will continue to build the foundation for “Living Together.” Please “Like” and share this post to share this joy with as many people as possible!
[2026] ARI Annual Event Schedule Announcement
2026/01/09
Thank you for your continued support!
We are excited to announce the main event schedule for Academic Year 2026 (April 2026 – March 2027). We look forward to sharing the joy of “Living Together” with you again this year through encounters with Rural Leaders from around the world.
AY 2025 is not over yet! Don’t miss these upcoming opportunities to visit ARI:
Jan 17 (Sat): ARI Friends Day (Next week!)
Feb 7 (Sat): JOCS Report Session (Details coming soon)
AY 2026 Annual Schedule
Spring March: Arrival of New Participants April: Opening Ceremony / Used Book Fair May: English Farm Camp
Summer August: Used Book Market
Autumn October: Harvest Thanksgiving Celebration November: Used Book Market / West Japan Caravan
Winter December: Commencement Ceremony January: ARI Friends Day February: Overseas Graduate Study Tour
Regular Programs
– Campus Mini Eco Tour (Bi-monthly from May) A guided tour of our organic farm and environmental initiatives.
– Chokotto (Casual) Farm & Forest (Monthly) Experience farming and forestry work. (*Sessions may be skipped in April or August due to heat. Details to be announced.)
Now Accepting Applications for Rural Leader Training Program at ARI
2026/01/08
The Asian Rural Institute (ARI) opens its doors to Japanese participants through the Rural Leader Training Program, offering a unique opportunity to learn together with people from around the world.
At ARI, participants learn side by side with farmers, social workers, pastors, priests, and others from around 15 countries across Asia and Africa. Through hands-on experience, participants explore servant leadership, sustainable agriculture, and community building.
Living and learning together for nine months while sharing differences and perspectives becomes a journey of self-discovery.
What is community?
Why does organic agriculture matter?
What does leadership mean?
What does it mean to live together?
The Rural Leader Training Program invites you to reflect on these questions and discover your own answers.
At ARI, people from diverse cultures, religions, and values come together to develop the ability to serve their communities as true leaders, learning to live together while respecting one another’s differences.
In this diverse learning environment, Japanese participants play an important role as representatives of Japan within the international community.
Why not challenge your own potential at ARI, a place that reflects the diversity of our world?
―――――
Application Deadline: February 10 https://ari.ac.jp/jp-admission/
Campus Tour: January 24 https://ari.ac.jp/entry-form-eco-tour2025
If you would like to experience life at ARI firsthand, we warmly invite you to join our campus tour.
Visits on other dates are also available. Please feel free to contact us! Now Accepting Volunteers for 2026! – Asian Rural Institute
Next Week Saturday is ARI Friends Day! Tree Climbing in the Winter Forest!
2026/01/07
Why not enjoy your “first climb of 2026” in the rich forests of Nasushiobara at ARI?
On 1/17(Sat), during ARI Friends Day, we will hold a “Tree Climbing” experience where you can climb safely using specialized ropes and saddles!
The world viewed from the treetops is sure to be full of new discoveries! You will wear professional safety gear and receive a lecture on how to climb, so beginners can participate with peace of mind.
With the cooperation of the local “JUN TREE SERVICE Co., Ltd.,” professional Arborist® instructors will teach you carefully, so first-timers and children can take on the challenge safely!
This activity is part of the “Chokotto Farm Forest” program, which nurtures a sustainable environment and shared learning.
We have also prepared special “Wooden Name Cards” for all participants!
These are actually made from cedar trees grown right here in the ARI forest, crafted by local manufacturer in Nasushiobara. They were processed by Shimakura Sangyo, the manufacturer of “Kyogi” (thin wood shavings), which are also famously used for the packaging of Yokohama’s shumai dumplings. They are the only Kyogi manufacturer in Tochigi and one of the few left in Japan.
Excellent in breathability and antibacterial properties, this eco-friendly material returns to the soil. It recently became a hot topic after being adopted at the “Deeper Learning Japan” educational conference.
Come touch the local nature at ARI and play to your heart’s content in the winter forest!
“Let’s meet people, let’s touch the forest.” We are looking forward to seeing you there!
Date Jan 17 (Sat) – during ARI Friends Day
Create your application for Tree Climbing here: https://ari.ac.jp/friends-day-2026/
Harvest Thanksgiving Celebration
Watch all our online events again!
Open for Visits
Join the ARI life with family and friends!
Volunteer with us!
We're looking for on-campus volunteers
