Toya

You will be based in Toya Village, which is located on the northern island of Hokkaido, right on the shores of a beautiful volcanic lake. 

Your Project

Your placement is coordinated by Toyako Mayor’s Office, working in partnership with Toya International Exchange Association.

Your main role will be to assist with English conversation by giving lessons at the local schools as well as leading some adult evening classes. You and your partner will be working together, alongside a local teacher at the schools. Sometimes you will be given the opportunity to teach by yourself. In addition to English teaching you will also help out at the local nursery schools on a weekly basis.

Toya is a small, rural village with a population of only 2000 people. Agriculture is the main industry and tourism is also important to the region. As the village is about three hours’ drive from the nearest city, people tend to make their own entertainment and joining in with this will give you a unique insight into Japanese society. You will have the opportunity to join in many of the activities going on in the village. You will be able to attend Kendo or Judo classes, learn the tea ceremony and calligraphy, join clubs such as badminton, Yosakoi dance, table tennis (and even African drumming!). This community involvement is just as important as the teaching itself!

This project has run successfully for over twenty years now and Volunteers are fully welcomed to the village. Building relationships will be an important part of your year and to make the most of the opportunities here you will need to work hard at learning Japanese and get involved as much as you can.

Accommodation

You and your partner will live together in a small but very well-equipped council house in the village. This has two bedrooms, a living room, a bathroom, a kitchen and a small wash room. You will do your own shopping and cook for yourselves, quickly getting the hang of using chopsticks! There is a supermarket in Toya, just two minutes walk from the house that will cater for all of your general needs.