Thatch Roof Preservation Project 2008

November 8,9 (Friday / Saturday)

Volunteer to harvest kaya, the material used for traditional thatched roofs in Japan, and receive free accommodation and meals from local minshyuku inns deep in the infamous Akiyamago valley in northern Nagano.

• Description
• Tentative Itinerary
• Pricing & What's Included
• Getting Here
• Register

Description top

This project will allow you to help preserve a remaining traditional thatched roof farm house in Japan by joining local farmers in harvesting the kaya needed to repair the roof. In return for your efforts, you will receive free accommodation at a local minshuku inn, and meals for the two days. For those with a bit more time, an optional third day provides an opportunity to explore the beautiful Sakae Mura village by bike, including a breathtaking downhill cruise overlooking the entire village.

the Kayabuki-yane is a staple of traditional Japanese architecture. A shortage of skilled workers and materials to mend roofs has led to most old houses covering their roofs with sheet-metal to protect it from the elements. Thatch roofs last up to 30 years before re-thatching becomes necessary. Even then, only half the roof can be dried and reused. The rest must be harvested and collected until there is enough to remake the roof. Actual thatch-roof houses are a rarity in Japan and are increasingly being protected as national heritage sites and national treasures.

If enough material is harvested this year, participants will also be invited back next year to participate in the actual rebuilding of the roof.

Schedule top

Friday, November 7

10:30 Arrive at Morimiyanohara Station by bus or car. You will have some time to explore the area and grab lunch at the local farmers market.

13:00 Meet volunteers and organizers at Koakazawa hamlet, deep in the Akiyamago Valley. From here you will be transported to the kaya fields and given instructions.

16:30 End your day feeling satisfied and a little tired. You will be taken back to your inn were you change into a yukata robe and enjoy a bath in the area's famous red hot spring before a traditional dinner of freshly grilled fish, wild vegetables, and even locally hunted bear meat (on request).

Saturday, November 8 Those who will join the program on the 8th will meet at the kaya fields of Torikabuto-bokujyo. For directions or transportation options, please contact us.

9:00 After breakfast at your inn, you will once again begin your work gathering thatch, with a break for a picnic lunch in the crisp mountain air as you enjoy a view of the not-so-distant snow-covered mountains.

16:30 After doing twice the work, tonight's bath will feel twice as relaxing. Enjoy a bottle of home-made doburoku rice wine or hot sake with your dinner tonight before crawling into a thick futon.

Sunday, November 9

After breakfast you will be free to enjoy the village, visit the museums depicting how people lived in such a remote area, and join the local cultural festival with singing and dancing and other entertainment provided by the village children.

Those with more time can make their way to Kiriake hotspring where you can dig your own hot bath right in the chilly waters of the Nakatsu river and see why the director of the movie Silk chose this location for filming.

In the afternoon, you have the option of joining One Life Japan for an 11km downhill mountain bike ride with a view of the lower hamlets. It will be cold flying down a 1,000 meter mountain side, so you will enjoy a final bath at one of the areas 5 hot-springs.

* In the event of rain

Because the thatch must be dry to harvest, the event may be cancelled. Participants will be contacted prior to their departure date.

Pricing & What's Included top

Volunteer Project 1,000 JPY

• Accomodation at local inn for 1 or 2 nights.
• Dinner and breakfast at inn.
• Picnic lunch

Sunday, 9th Guided Morning Plan 5,000 JPY

• Meet at Tonenbo Museum in Koakazawa (a short walk from your inn)
• Explanaition of the exhibits
• Check out the Culture Festival
• 険しい鳥甲山を見ながらの露天風呂 or 集落をつなぐ古道の散策
• 伝統木工品の工房訪問
• 道の駅・信越さかえで昼食＆お買いもの（昼食は各自）
• 日本最高積雪記録柱の見学
• ＪＲ森宮野原駅にて解散（越後湯沢行きバス14：30発）

　　含まれるもの：民宿宿泊（1泊または2泊）、傷害保険料、ガイド料。

9日（日）全日のオプションプログラム：　8,000円

• 朝食後、秋山郷総合センター「とねんぼ」集合（9：00）
• 民族資料館の見学・解説
• 信州秋山郷文化祭をのぞいてみよう！
• 険しい鳥甲山を見ながらの露天風呂 or 集落をつなぐ古道の散策
• 伝統木工品の工房訪問
• 道の駅・信越さかえで昼食＆お買いもの（昼食は各自）
• 日本最高積雪記録柱の見学
• マウンテンバイクでダウンヒルをいっきに駆けおりよう！
• さっぱり汗を流したい方は…かけ流しの名湯・宮野原温泉へ（入湯料は各自）
• ＪＲ森宮野原駅にて解散（越後湯沢行きバス17：30発）

　　含まれるもの：民宿宿泊（1泊または2泊）、傷害保険料、ガイド料、自転車レンタル料。