SSJ is about 25 years old. It has the feel of a small community. The work that volunteers are asked to do pays for the cost of gas, electricity, heating oil, fuel for the cars and food. Volunteers must accept that their commitment to SSJ comes before any other work or private commitments.

Accommodation and food is provided in exchange for your help teaching English and farming. It is appreciated if volunteers stay at least 6 weeks but 3 months is prefered to keep consistency in the classes.

Teaching is rudimentary. About 6 hours a week is expected from each volunteer. The adult classes are conversational and there are also some childrens classes. Students vary - doctors, house wives, artists, office workers etc.

Farming is also rudimentary - weeding, harvesting vegetables and wood cutting are some of the tasks. During the summer months (June to August) we welcome people who are prepared to work in the garden as their primary responsibility. The summer is warm to hot and sometimes there is fog/heat haze. In the winter there is less work - only one or two hours a day - and it can be very cold. The coldest days are in January and February and can be as cold as -20C! At this time there is no outside work to be done.

Guests are also welcome, paying 2000 yen a day with meals included. SSJ also employs 2 people per year to oversee the classes. They must stay for at least 6 months and will be paid a living allowance. Their main purpose of coming to Japan must be to study Japanese and lessons will be provided. There are two Kushiro based English schools that require native English speakers for paid English teaching work. Rather than attempt a long-distance interview and selection of people for these positions, interested people should come to SSJ first as volunteers, experience the life style and then discuss the possibility of work with Mine-san. Note: This is available only for Australians, New Zealanders and Canadians and, more recently, English and French people aged between 20 and 29 with working holiday visas. It is intended that such people leave Japan at the end of their tourist visa and re-enter with a working holiday visa.

Visas are different for everyone. Please check in your country for any details. Volunteers will not need a work visa - just a tourist visa. Many people can easily come on a 3 month tourist visa. Some countries visa requirements are restrictive. It is rarely possible for us to accomodate everyones needs.

SSJ is located in Tsurui-mura which is a small village an hour from Kushiro city. It is in a valley and there are a lot of dairy and other farms. Conditions at SSJ are rather basic compared to the rest of Japan but there is electricity, hot water, a full kitchen, wood heater, a stereo and TV and private bedrooms.

SSJ suits highly motivated, mature and responsible individuals who live healthy life styles and especially people wanting to learn the Japanese language. If you are interested in coming to SSJ please send a brief resume, photograph and letter with any further questions you may have and outline your interest in SSJ. We can only reply if you include international postal coupons and it can take up to a week to respond this way.

We are also a member of UNESCO and Hiroshi Mine is actively involved with the organization. UNESCO promotes global peace and understanding amoung different nationalities, races, cultures and religions. It is important that volunteers have respect for all people, respect for nature and a sense of spirituality. If you feel that you are a loving, honest and responsible person, you will be welcome at SSJ.

When applying to come to SSJ, this is some information we would like to know about you:

* Almost all classes are located away from Tsurui so it is neccessary for volunteers to drive. If you don't have or can't get a licence, it is only a minor problem so please don't let that stop you from applying!

When writing to SSJ:

mail can be sent to

Hiroshi Mine Shin Shizen Juku Tsurui-mura Akan-gun Hokkaido, 085-1207 Japan

Telephone numbers:

Shin Shizen Juku Hiroshi Mine's mobile From countries outside Japan

(0154) 642821 (090) 362635 (0011 81 154) 642821

It's not easy to predict if anyone will be at SSJ to answer the phone but generally, early in the morning and in the evening are good times to call SSJ.