Introduction
In the little town of Urahoro, cows graze freely in the green meadows, birds glide through the wide blue yonder, and people live a life of simplicity and contentment. Head down to the farms to lend a hand to a local farmer in his edamame harvest, drive down to the Kobukariishi coast for a picturesque landscape of the Pacific Ocean, or roll up your sleeves to make your own tofu from locally produced ingredients. You will also be exploring Tokomuro Lab- an abandoned school now transformed into a hipster cafe, co-working space and art gallery. Rediscover your inner peace and quiet your mind in the serenity of Urahoro.
Highlights
Tokomuro Lab
Tokomuro Elementary School in Urahoro closed down in 2004 and the school building had been vacant and unused for some time, before the blue print for its reutilization was drawn up a few years ago. It has now transformed from an old and dilapidated structure into a co-working space, a hipster cafe, a wood crafts makers space and a place for locals to gather.
Kitamura Forestry
Forests take up 70% of the land area of Urahoro. Kitamura Forestry has been working to create a sustainable forestry industry to drive the local economy. Kitamura Forestry recently established a new company Baton Plus to convert these natural resources into valuable assets by working with corporate partners and utilizing their specialized knowledge and technology.
Kobukariishi Coast
Watch the vast infinite blue skies merge with the sparkling emerald blue seas over the horizon at Kobukariishi Coast that outlines the shoreline of Eastern Hokkaido. When the skies are clear, you can jump off the cliff on a paraglide, frolic around on the grass fields or just lie down and listen to the sounds of nature.
Hamanasu Rose
The summer of Urahoro is painted with the pink and purple hues of the Hamanasu Japanese Roses- a local breed of flowers. Learn about how a local start-up is using Hamanasu to produce an organic cosmetic brand, and how the package design is hand-drawn by local children and adults under the Urahoro Style Education System.
Dairy Farm Visit
Producing 94 tons of milk annually, the Tokachi region where Urahoro is located has the largest dairy farming industry in Japan. Watch how the cows are managed and milk, learn about how technology is incorporated into the dairy farming industry and try to make butter yourself!
*We work closely and directly with our local coordinators to ensure that our presence in the local region does not pose as a threat to the natural environments nor a nuisance to the local communities. As such, we have a limit to the number of participants for each trip. Our established relationship of trust with the locals is the foundation of our activities that are designed to benefit both the locals and the visitors.
Sample Itinerary
Day 1
Please note that the following tentative schedule is subject to changes without advance notice.
14:10 Gather at JR Obihiro Station or Obihiro Tokachi Airport
14:10 – 15:00 Move to Urahoro (Tokomuro Lab)
15:00 – 16:00 Self introduction/ Explanation of program
16:00 – 17:00 Tour around Tokomuro Lab
17:00 – 18:00 Learn about Urahoro Style Education
18:30 – 19:00 Check-in
19:00 – Dinner
Day 2
8:30 Gather
08:30 – 12:00 Farming experience (Harvesting of edamame and mini tomatoes)
12:00 – 13:00 Lunch
13:00 – 15:00 Learn about Tokomuro Lab’s projects
15:00 – 17:00 Workshop
18:00 – Dinner
Day 3
08:30 Gather
09:00 – 12:30 Helping out at Minori Festival (Largest local festival in Urahoro)
12:30 – 15:00 Free time at festival
15:00 – 18:00 Workshop
19:00- Dinner
Day 4
08:30 Gather
09:00 – 12:00 Visit to Kitamura Forestry
12:00 – 13:00 Lunch
14:00 – 17:00 Workshop
18:00 – Dinner
Day 5
08:30 Gather
09:00 – 12:00 Visit to Kobukariishi Coast
13:00 – 15:00 Exchange session at Urahoro Junior High School
16:00 – 18:00 Workshop
19:00- Dinner
Activity Date: September 20 ~ 24, 2019
Activity Price
For General Public: ¥40,000
For University/ Graduate Students: ¥20,000
Please note that the activity price does not include transportation to Hokkaido and meal expenses.
Please note that this activity will only take place with a minimum of 3 participants. In the event that we have less than 3 participants, the activity will be cancelled.
Cancellation Policy
You can get a full refund with no cancellation charges incurred, if you cancel earlier than 30 days before the activity date.
A cancellation charge equivalent to half the participation fee will be incurred if you cancel earlier than 15 days before the activity date.
There will be no refunds if you cancel later than 14 days before the activity date.