Long-Term Volunteers
stay from 2 — 12 months
live and work on campus
work in different sections
Friendship. Farming. Inspiration.
Long-term volunteers tremendously support ARI’s mission by working together with the staff while gaining life-changing experiences. They are a crucial part of ARI’s daily operations, farm, and Community of Learning.
Volunteers live simply and work hard, but they find great rewards in their experience at ARI. We welcome people of all ages, talents, and faiths.
If you are interested in a stay of 2-60 days, click here:
The Volunteer Experience
There are usually up to 12 long-term volunteers from Japan, Germany, USA and other countries on campus. They come privately or as part of service programs and internships. Youth and seniors alike find many opportunities to serve and learn at ARI.
A Sustainable Way of Life
By joining ARI’s daily Foodlife Work, volunteers learn not only about food and agriculture but about sustainable ways of life. Rotating through different sections, they get to know ARI’s integrated Foodlife system, enjoy wholesome meals, and serve the community through their hard work. No farming experience required!
Making a Community
Together with staff and participants, volunteers live in dormitories and spend every day as active members of our multicultural community.
Volunteers also join and organize community building events for sport and recreation. They also get to share their stories during the daily Morning Gathering: the time for community members to listen, meditate, and worship together.
Living with people from 20 different countries, volunteers contribute with their personalities and values to the community’s journey to discover the meaning of ARI’s motto, “That We May Live Together.”
Reinvent Yourself
Nobody leaves ARI the same way as they arrive. Even though volunteers do not take part in a training program, the experience can lead to profound personal growth. They reflect on ARI’s values, gain fresh perspectives, overcome challenges and experience alternative ways of living.
Volunteers learn new skills in their work sections and during Foodlife Work. They make inspiring encounters with people from ARI’s community of supporters. And they are filled with energy to transform their own world when they complete their service.
Volunteer Work
Every volunteer serves in one or two main sections during the day, working closely with ARI staff. We usually appoint assignments with regard to experience and skills. We expect volunteers to be dedicated and diligent in their purpose to serve others.
High in Demand Skills
– cooking and food processing
– carpentry, mechanics, plumbing, and electrics
– gardening and farming
– digital media and marketing
– photography and video
– IT and website management
– medical knowledge
– organization skill
– musical ability
FOODLIFE
Crops & Vegetables
Work on 6 hectare of fields, greenhouses, and farm storage.
Livestock
Take care of pigs, goats, chickens, ducks, and fish from birth to butchering.
Food Education and Sustainable Table (FEAST)
Prepare meals for the community and manage our food resources.
CURRICULUM
Community Life
Care for the community’s wellbeing.
Ecumenical Relations
Assist in communicating and working with our overseas partners.
Admissions
Communicate with applicants and institutions around the world.
Graduate Outreach
Communicate with graduates and alumni networking.
FUNDRAISING & DOMESTIC PROGRAMS
Food Processing
Prepare and produce food products for sales and promotion.
Office & Sales
Help in the management and sales of our products and in ARI’s PR.
Nasu Seminar House
Help maintaining the facility and take care of the many visitors.
How to Join
(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:
ecu@ari.ac.jp
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.
Currently Needed
We are looking for people for the following sections:
| Section | Recruitment & Admissions |
| Supervisor | Cody Kiefer |
| Tasks | ・All work associated with learning about organizations in other countries who do rural development work. ・Communicating with organizations and individuals. ・Answer emails, read documents, ask questions, filing, typing, prepare documents. |
| Positions open | 2 |
| Age | N/A |
| Duration | as long as possible |
| Qualification | computer skills |
| Language proficiency | English (mostly fluent) |
| Note | Enjoy working together with us! |
| セクション名 | 農場 |
| 担当者 | 荒川 治 |
| 業務内容 | ・農作業一般 ・自給のサポート ・播種、定植、中耕、除草、草刈り、収穫、調整、施肥、あぜ塗り、田植え、その他（石拾い、雑用含む） ・スタディキャンパーの引率 ・給食残飯、オカラ、魚のエラ、ホエーなどの回収 ・飼料の準備 ・畜舎の改築、改修 ・冬場森林管理、搾油など |
| 定員 | 3～7名（野菜作物部門）、2～3名（畜産部門） |
| 年齢 | 20～65歳 |
| 期間 | 12ヶ月（3-12月でも可） |
| 必要な資格＆技術 | 普通自動車免許 （MTが望ましい） |
| 語学力 | 日本語・英語（日常会話） |
| 備考 | ・環境問題や有機農業に興味のある方 ・チームワークが取れる方 ・単純農作業でも楽しめる方（除草作業が多くなります） ・体力のある方（一日中農作業になることが多くなります） ・ボランティアに対して理解のある方 |
| セクション名 | 農場 （養豚部門） |
| 担当者 | ギルバード・ホガング |
| 業務内容 | ・豚舎の清掃、豚舎周辺の草刈り ・豚の世話（体重測定、去勢など全般） ・飼料づくり |
| 定員 | 1名 |
| 年齢 | 20～35歳 |
| 期間 | 12ヶ月 |
| 必要な資格＆技術 | 普通自動車免許 向上心 |
| 語学力 | 日本語・英語（日常会話） |
| 備考 | ・環境問題や有機農業に興味のある方 ・単純農作業でも楽しめる方 ・体力のある方（一日中農作業になることが多くなります） ・ボランティアに対して理解のある方 |
| セクション名 | 募金・国内事業 広報 |
| 担当者 | 八木沢 淳 |
| 業務内容 | ・学院内の活動や日々の生活を撮影する専属フォトグラファー （学生やボランティアたちの生活風景、表情豊かな写真、記録・広報利用としての写真を撮って下さい） ・DTPオペレーター（簡単なチラシなどの作成、Photoshop、Illustratorなどを使用します）・ホームページ・SNSのアップデート（Facebook、Instagramなどへの投稿作成、ホームページのアップデートなど） |
| 定員 | 1名 |
| 年齢 | 何歳でも可 |
| 期間 | 12ヶ月 |
| 必要な資格＆技術 | 普通自動車免許 （MTが望ましい） Photoshop、Illustrator の経験者。または情熱を持って勉強できる方 |
| 語学力 | 日本語（英語ができれば尚可） |
| 備考 | ・写真撮影の目的は単に記録を残すことだけではなく、支援者の方々にアジア学院の魅力や活動を伝えること、また奨学金団体に学院の活動を明確に伝えることなどです ・画像を加工しweb や紙媒体でのPRツールを作成頂くことがあるため、デザインなどを学ぶ意欲にあふれた方を募集しています ・基本的には職員のリクエストや指示に則っての業務遂行となるため、協調性や創造性、自発的に行動できる方（またそうありたい方）を希望します ・雑用など含めて、事務のお仕事をお手伝い頂くこともあります ・まれに通いボランティアの方々（50～60代）との共同作業もあるため、幅広い世代とのチームワークが大切です |
| セクション名 | 募金・国内事業 販売 |
| 担当者 | 佐藤 裕美 |
| 業務内容 | ・販売品梱包と発送 ・バザー等出店時の設営と対面販売 ・配達（近隣） ・学院内店舗の清掃デコレーション等 ・販売データ管理 ・在庫管理 |
| 定員 | 1名 |
| 年齢 | 何歳でも可 |
| 期間 | 12ヶ月 |
| 必要な資格＆技術 | 普通自動車免許 （MTが望ましい） |
| 語学力 | 日本語 |
| 備考 | ・接客好きな方大歓迎！！ ・オーガニック嗜好のインテリアなどに興味のある方 ・通いボランティアの方々（50～60代）との共同作業もあるため、チームワークが大切です |
| セクション名 | 給食 |
| 担当者 | ザチボル・ラコー |
| 業務内容 | 午前： ・昼食づくり （10-12時半） 午後： ・清掃、洗濯 ・収穫後の野菜の管理、食事づくりの準備 ・パンづくり ・食品加工 ・麦の製粉、精米・原料の買い出し |
| 定員 | 3名（繁忙期は7月～9月） |
| 年齢 | 25～30歳程度が望ましい |
| 期間 | 12ヶ月（3-12月でも可） |
| 必要な資格＆技術 | ・普通自動車運転免許 ・※調理経験があれば望ましい。男性歓迎します！ |
| 語学力 | 日本語・英語（日常会話） |
| 備考 | ・料理に興味がある方 ・共同体のメンバーと積極的に交流の図れる方 ・もくもくと作業のできる方 ・柔軟性があり、臨機応変に行動できる方 |
| セクション名 | 共同体生活 |
| 担当者 | ジョナサン・マッカーリー |
| 業務内容 | ・キャンパスの清掃 ・キャンパス内の古着ショップのアレンジメント及び運営 ・倉庫の管理 ・各種イベント準備及び支援 |
| 定員 | 1名（半日） |
| 年齢 | 何歳でも可 |
| 期間 | 2～12ヶ月 |
| 必要な資格＆技術 | 普通自動車免許 向上心 |
| 語学力 | 日本語・英語（日常会話） |
| 備考 | ・共同体のメンバーと積極的に交流の図れる方 ・もくもくと作業のできる方・仕事や課題を見つけて自ら仕事ができる方 |
| セクション名 | 募金・国内事業 外部プログラム |
| 担当者 | 山下 崇 |
| 業務内容 | ・ゲストハウス管理（清掃及び整理整頓、デコレーション・パーマカルチャー化、畑の管理） ・宿泊者の受け入れ（プログラムづくり、ワークショップづくり） ・イベント企画（古本市、マルシェ、キャンプ） |
| 定員 | 2名 |
| 年齢 | 20-40歳程度が望ましい |
| 期間 | 12ヶ月 |
| 必要な資格＆技術 | 普通自動車免許 （MTが望ましい） |
| 語学力 | 日本語・英語（日常会話） |
| 備考 | ・開発教育に興味がある方（多くの大学生や高校生が来ます） ・パーマカルチャーに興味がある方 ・清掃が得意な方 |
Our Volunteer Sending Bodies and Partnerships
Germany
Evangelical Mission in Solidarity
Sozialer Friedensdienst Kassel, e.V.
United States
Church of the Brethren, Brethren Volunteer Service
The Episcopal Church
United Church of Christ, Common Global Mission Board
United Methodist Church, Global Ministries
