Rice Fields in Sado Island - Agricultural Heritage and Reintroduction of the Crested Ibis

Sado is a Japanese island on the west coast. It is sparsely populated and scenically very charming with impressive rocky shores over blue sea, dense forests on steep mountains and many farms on which mainly rice and kakis (plaqueminier) are grown.

Volunteers can participate in a variety of activities. Our volunteer coordinator will create a weekly schedule for you to make your stay a varied and exciting experience while benefitting the local community.

Conservation of the Koninji Temple: Volunteers live on the grounds of the beautiful historic Koninji Temple and help to maintain the temple, the grounds, the ornamental garden and the fruit trees. There is always something to do here!

Heritage of rice cultivation: Many of the rice fields on Sado date back to the Edo period and are farmed using traditional techniques without the use of large machines. Unfortunately, rice cultivation is no longer profitable in this way and many rice fields are no longer cultivated. As a result, the traditional step-shaped irrigation systems are decaying and fields are either flooded, dry up or overgrow, which also affects the living environment of the Nippon Ibis native to Japan. A cultural heritage that is the basis of life for many people in Sado is lost. As a volunteer, you will help preserve this cultural heritage and secure the living space for the Nippon Ibis.

Protection of the Nippon Ibis and biotope maintenance: Between the rice fields of Iwakubi there are zones that are operated as biotopes. This creates habitats that are ideal for amphibians, fish and other small animals that serve as food for the Nippon Ibis. The Nippon Ibis died out completely in Japan until 2003 (through chemical fertilizers, pesticides, mechanical cultivation of rice fields), as a result of which the birds could no longer find any food. A resettlement program started in Sado, in which Nippon-Ibisse were released onto the island. Today around 440 Nippo ibises live on Sado again.

Collect forest herbs for herbal tea blends: Accompany our herbal experts into the forest and get explanations of the herbs and help with the collection to prepare herbal tea blends for sale.

Bamboo workshops with school children: Learn to make objects out of bamboo, e.g. Musical instruments or toys and pass on your knowledge to other volunteers in local school children in workshops.

Please contact us for further information!
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