The Special Projects Committee is planning a visit to a Rice Harvesting Village in Uonuma, Niigata Prefecture. As you know, rice is very important as a staple for the Japanese, and the new government wants to follow a self-sufficiency policy of agriculture, including rice. Uonuma is famous for its delicious rice, however, it is very difficult to maintain standards due to a lack of workers. So Ecoplus, an NPO headed by Ms. Takako Takano, has organized a special school to help young people understand the present problems in agriculture and this time they will welcome FCCJ members to see their activities and rice harvesting. You can also join in, if you want. Ecoplus NPO members will help you and you can talk with the farmers. Please join the rice harvest and report about real Japanese agriculture.

Date: Sunday, October 18.

Meet at Tokyo Station on the platform of the Joetsu shinkansen bound for Niigata at 7:48 a.m. Arrive at Echigoyuzawa at 9:04. Change to Hokuhoku line train at 9:21 and get off at Shiozawa at 9:34. Take a taxi at Shiozawa to Tochikubo village where we will join Ecoplus. At lunch time, Ms. Takako Takano will give a presentation on Ecoplus activities and you can talk with farmers about the present situation. In the afternoon, you will see the work of harvesting machines. After the visit, you can enjoy onsen, if you wish. The tour will end about 4 p.m. and you will go back to Shiozawa station to take the train bound for Echigoyuzawa at 5:31 p.m.

Total fee will be about 13,000 yen; 10,000 yen is for transportation and 3,000 yen is for lunch. Rental boots for harvest work are available for 500 yen. The onsen option is 650 yen.

Please reserve in advance, 3211-3161, or online by 6 p.m, Wednesday, October 14.
　　　　　　
Special Projects Committee