(1) Please read through the all information here and contact our Ecumenical Relations Coordinator to receive an application form.

(2) Prepare the following documents:

☐ a completed application form
☐ a letter of recommendation
☐ a recent health certificate
☐ one passport photograph

(3) When you are ready to apply send all the documents to our Ecumenical Relations Coordinator. We will review the application and let you know the results within 2 weeks.

We are looking forward to your message.

contact:
[email protected]

Age
We accept volunteers from the age of 20

Health
We ask that volunteers be ready for challenges and physically demanding work and thus be of good health.

Working Hours & Time
Volunteers work regularly from 11am to 4pm from Monday to Friday, and also join Foodlife Work every morning and evening (see daily schedule). They live within a diverse community, serving in a purely supportive role, often putting the needs of others before themselves. 

Language
Volunteers need to have a working knowledge of English. Japanese is not required but can be helpful.

Please make sure that you have sufficient funds for your stay and transportation in Japan.

ARI will pay the cost of boarding in a double occupancy dormitory room for all volunteers. Housing for married couples or those with children may be available on request. We ask that volunteers spend their early months living on campus, but if you would prefer an off-campus housing arrangement, ARI will assist you in finding something suitable that fits your budget.

We ask that volunteers contribute 40,000 yen per month to cover their food costs. This fee can be waived if necessary. Volunteers are also expected to provide their own lunch on Sundays.

Transportation costs are paid for by the volunteer. Please budget around 5,500 yen for a one-way trip to Narita Airport. For 1,000 yen deposit you can rent a bicycle at ARI for local transportation, and local trains and buses are easily available. The closest train station, Nishinasuno station, is approximately 15 minutes by bicycle.

Foreign citizens need to have visa permission to stay in Japan. Please make sure that you will fulfill the requirements for the time period and passport before you come to Japan.

ARI does not provide visa support for volunteers and you will be required to obtain a proper visa on your own, such as a Working Holiday visa. To that end, we recommend that applicants looking to serve for an extended period travel to ARI with the support of another organization, such as with your church or through a college program. This will ensure that you have sufficient support during your stay at ARI.

Monday – Friday

am
06:30　Assemble for morning exercise and prayer
06:35　Cleaning the campus
07:00　Morning Foodlife Work (community farm work)
08:15　Breakfast and break
09:30　Morning Gathering
10:20　Main activities of the day

pm
12:30　Lunch and break
01:45　Main activities
04:00　Evening Foodlife Work
05:00　Free time
06:30　Supper

Saturday

am
06:30　Assemble for morning exercise and prayer
06:35　Cleaning the campus
07:00　Morning Foodlife Work
08:15　Breakfast 

pm
12:30　Lunch
18:30    Supper

Sunday

am
08:15　Breakfast 

pm
18:30    Supper

On Saturdays and Sundays, there are no main activities, but you can join other people’s activities or take a rest. You will be asked to sign up for one additional  time of Foodlife Work. 
On Sundays, you may join community members’ visits to local churches in the morning. Lunch is not provided on Sunday.

Do I have to be Christian to come to ARI?
No, but you have to have a commitment to its central objective “That We May Live Together.”  ARI is an ecumenical family, coming from and respecting many different faith traditions. It views God as the “Ground of Being”, the Creator and nurturer of all Creation.  Christian in origin, it is rooted in the spirit of Jesus, who came as one that serves.

I have never been on a farm. Is it okay to not have any agriculture experience?
At ARI we ALL learn by doing! As long as you’re willing to work and get your hands dirty, you’ll fit right in.

Can I learn Japanese at ARI?
Yes, of course! But it is truly depending upon your will. There is no systematic curriculum for volunteers to learn Japanese (although there may be some optional Japanese class inside and outside ARI), but there are tons of opportunities for you to study Japanese. There are many Japanese native speakers and Japanese language learners who attend regular Japanese classes in the neighboring town.

How much money will I need? Can I easily access my home funds?
No problem. There are ATMs at the 7/11 Stores near ARI and in town.  The ATMs at the Japan Post Office in Nishinasuno will  even speak to  you in English as they dispense yen drawn from your home bank account.

For budgeting, consider the following monthly expenses:  lunch every Sunday, snacks from the grocery store (all meals except Sunday lunch are provided, however, you may wish to buy snacks and fruit), sundries, travel expenses when away from ARI visiting the local community or seeing other places in Japan, money for going out for meals and other activities off campus, for example:  karaoke, hot spring, movies, rock climbing, etc.

Can my friends or family visit me while I am at ARI?
Yes, they are welcome!  All you need to do is to contact the person in charge of guest visits and reserve a room for them.  Your family or friends need to pay for food and lodging according to the set rate.  The rates are different depending on how your friends or family want to stay at ARI:  as visitors or working visitors. You may not be able to share your room with your family if you already share your room with someone.