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Cultural & Environmental Templestay Sado Island
Experience
Volunteer
Destination
Japan
Duration
1 to 6 weeks
Ages
18 to 70
28 others looking at this too. Next opening is Apr 2026, with limited spots.
$1,495
$495
deposit now
Book now, pay later. Cancel anytime.
Trip overview
Sado Island is like stepping back in time to the old and rural Japan that people travel around the world to experience.
Sado feels like Japan’s mystical outpost. It’s packed with ancient forests, surrounded by a wild ocean, dotted with preserved villages steeped in history, and criss-crossed with mountain trails.
The rural landscapes and remote setting are an epic contrast from the mega metropolises and fast paced lifestyles of mainland Japan.
If you’re a nature-lover who’s into unique cultures and rural locations way off the tourist radar, Sado Island needs to be on your list.
On this done-for-you volunteer trip, you’ll get everything you need to volunteer in Sado Island, Japan, including:
- Volunteer placement – You’ll be placed with our pre-approved project partner on beautiful Sado Island, Japan.
- Stay in a tent nestled in the temple gardens – You get to stay right there on the temple grounds in a fully-furnished tent. This isn’t your usual camping though because you’ll have WiFi, electricity in the tent, and hot showers.
- 3 meals a day – You’ll get all the ingredients to make your own breakfast. Lunch and dinner will be buffet-style Japanese cuisine catered by local restaurants. 80% of the meals are vegetarian.
- Experience Tokyo & Sado – Airport transfer & 3 nights in Tokyo are included when you arrive, to experience a weekend of getting over jetlag and exploring the famous city. Then, on Monday, our team will be waiting for you at the ferry dock in Sado Island.
- And much more!
This trip is all about helping conserve the unique culture and natural landscapes of Sado Island. Plus, you get to stay on the grounds of the amazing Chokokuji Temple – not something most travellers will ever get to experience.
Rural Japan is struggling with a declining population. Which means there are fewer people to maintain the idyllic villages, ancient temples, and slumbering farmlands in some of the most beautiful parts of Japan.
And that’s why contributions from volunteers like you are so important to keeping the beauty of this island alive.
Imagine spending your days quietly tending to the grounds of Chokokuji Temple – founded in 807AD – while you spend time with the 87 year old monk in charge.
If animal conservation is more your speed – you’ll love the work you do protecting habitat for the Japanese Crested Ibis. This ibis was declared extinct in the wild in 1981. But their population has rebounded to over 700 individuals and continues to grow thanks to the conservation efforts. Something you’ll learn all about and have a direct hand in.
You’ll get to see how locals farm the land organically. You’ll learn all about how bamboo is an amazing renewable resource that can replace plastic. And you’ll learn how to use plants and herbs to make toothpaste, insect repellent, or a delicious snack.
If you love off the beaten path locations with a mysterious history and jaw-dropping nature – this is the trip for you.
When you go with Global, you get the full experience for a fraction of the hassle. We offer the complete package for volunteering in Sado Island, Japan.
Our team will help you with the essentials you need to start your new journey with a bang! Including, setting you up with our ground team, securing your accommodation, and a whole lot more.
Inclusions
Tap to expand
Volunteer Project Placement
Arrival Assistance
Accommodation on Temple Grounds
3 Nights Accommodation in Tokyo
Meals
Welcome Orientation
Dedicated Trip Coordinator
Personal Travel Concierge
Pre-Departure Guide
Trip Visa Guidance
Certificate of Completion
Ongoing Local Team Support
Global Emergency Line
gWorld Access
Social
Global Academy
Marketplace Deals
Qualification
To qualify for this trip you must meet the following requirements:
- Be between 18-70 years of age
- Be a citizen of an eligible country
- Have no criminal convictions in the past 5 years
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Got questions or need to know more? Ask us here, we're online 24hrs Mon-Fri.
Requirements
You must be at least 18 years old to participate.
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Book & get early access to your group, start planning meet-ups, and make new friends before your journey begins.
Purpose & impact
The main purpose behind this trip is to help preserve all the special things that make Sado Island unique. Your focus will be on the preservation of the island's natural environment and its rich cultural heritage.
Let’s take a closer look:
Preservation of Chokokuji Temple
Chokokuji Temple is one of the largest and most culturally significant temples on Sado Island. Unfortunately, relying on donations from the aging and declining population is not enough for the 87-year old monk and his wife to maintain the temple the way it should be.
And that’s where you – the dedicated volunteer – comes in.
You’ll help out at least once a week with light maintenance and cleaning work on the temple grounds. You’ll also help out in the lush gardens – the year-round blooms and beautiful colours being a particular point of pride for the resident monk.
You’ll also help the monk to prepare activities and tours for visiting tourists and school children, help with social media outreach, and help run the shop selling devotional products and locally produced goods.
Habitat restoration for the Japanese Crested Ibis
Restoring the habitat of the Japanese Crested Ibis on Sado Island is a big deal. You’ll get to work in rice fields to align irrigation practices with conservation goals, you’ll help maintain biotopes, and improve the biodiversity and water quality on the island.
After being declared extinct in the wild in 1981, the population of Japanese Crested Ibises has rebounded to over 700 ibises on Sado Island thanks to the conservation efforts in the decades since.
Beach cleanup
Beaches are often natural dumping grounds as trash moves from land to sea. On Sado Island, much of this trash comes from the fishing industry (nets and ropes) and the construction industry.
Once a week you’ll help clean up a particular section of beach or natural area and send all the trash to a local incineration centre.
Bamboo as a sustainable material
Bamboo is one of the fastest growing plants in the world that can replace plastic with its never-ending list of uses.
There’s a Bamboo Club on Sado that puts together bamboo crafting workshops for volunteers. You’ll learn how to make simple objects like cups or chopsticks or you might get to build something more substantial like a playground.
Environmental education and cultural exchange
Typically, once a week you’ll visit a local school to teach kids about protecting the environment. This is also a great opportunity for cultural exchange while you play with the children or play sports together.
Community work
You’ll regularly take part in activities with the local community. Many of these activities include working on abandoned homes or workshops.
Because of the declining rural population in Japan, some villages have up to 90% of their buildings abandoned and neglected. The locals would like to maintain these buildings and preserve the memories of how life used to be.
You’ll also get to help out with local festivals, cultural events, and other events like the Sado Marathon.
Cultural/traditional workshops
You’ll get to participate in workshops and presentations of traditional local culture. For example – you may get to help build a traditional reed boat just like the oyster fisherman of the past.
Other examples include learning to play the Noh flute, Taiko drumming, and Kyogen theater performances.
Wild herb workshop
Learn from a local woman all about how to make plant-based insect repellent, herbal juices, herb-filled Gyoza, and even toothpaste from charcoal and herbs.
Organic farming
Local organic farmers will show you their ways and walk you through their fields for practical examples of working with nature to produce healthy food. Imagine watching ducks hard at work in farmers rice fields eating potential pests while fertilizing the ground.
Pollinator support
Pollinators are declining all around the world – including Sado Island. You’ll get to support wild bee populations by creating nesting areas and installing insect hotels around the island.
Accommodation & meals
You'll arrive first into Tokyo, where you'll be staying at our share house that hosts other volunteers, interns, and travellers doing cultural immersion trips. You'll be in a dorm-share room, and meals aren't included for the first 3 nights in Tokyo. There are large share kitchens you can use, or enjoy the cheap & delicious food that Japan offers at local restaurants.
Your included accommodation on Sado Island is a fully furnished tent in the temple gardens. That means electricity is available in the tents and they’re all equipped with single beds, dressers, and a fan. Bedding is also provided. There are hot water shower facilities nearby reserved for volunteers only.
These tents can be booked for single, double, or four-share occupancy. Shared tents are usually separated by gender, but this can’t be guaranteed.
With your accommodation sorted, what will you do about food?
You’ll be provided with 3 meals a day, every day on Sado Island. Breakfast is help-yourself from the provided ingredients. Lunch and dinner are prepared and catered by local restaurants and served up buffet-style.
You can expect mainly Japanese cuisine with 80% of the food being vegetarian.
There is a washing machine available for laundry. There are also indoor and outdoor seating areas, a vending machine, and Kimono and bike rentals available.
Trip itinerary
Arrival
You'll arrive into Tokyo, where a team member will greet you at the airport and take you on public transport to the share house. You'll have the weekend to get over your jetlag, meet other travellers and explore Tokyo.
On Monday, you'll get public transport from Tokyo to Sado Island, and our team will be waiting for you at the Ryotsu Ferry port on Sado Island. Make sure to time your arrival with your Trip Coordinator so you arrive during the pickup window.
Ongoing
Your days may vary based on the needs of the organization. But here’s an example of how your days may be structured:
7:30 – Breakfast
8:15 – Briefing about the days activities
8:30 – Start your activities for the day
12:00 – 13:00 – Lunch break at the temple or in the field
16:00 – End of days activities
Your responsibilities will take 5-6 hours a day. Which means you’ll have plenty of time to explore this incredible island.
Bike rentals are available to explore to your heart's content. And snorkelling equipment is available for free to explore the underwater paradise .
We’ll be in touch with you throughout your stay. If you ever need advice or support our team is available to answer your questions. And our 24 hours a day/5 days a week emergency support line will help with urgent matters.
Don’t go alone. Go with Global.
Why choose us
Travelling with Global means travelling with the best. We take care of pretty much everything so you don’t have to. You’ll arrive in Japan totally prepared with a plan of action and trusted people helping you along the way.
Our volunteer trips are designed to help you make a real change in critical causes around the world. All while experiencing off-the-beaten-path locations with passionate locals. Our goal is to save you time, money, and stress while eliminating the risk of returning home early. Here’s how we do it:
We’re on your side from the moment you get started.
You’ll be assigned a dedicated Trip Coordinator. They’ll guide you through the next steps and answer all your questions. They’ll also help you with the pesky visa. No guesswork – only the right paperwork, approved the first time, in your hands before you leave.
Your Personal Travel Concierge will help with flights, insurance, and any add-ons you’d like for your trip. These are real humans too – no robots here.
We maintain relationships with a huge network of screened and vetted partner organizations all over the world. We know they’re trustworthy and that you’re in good hands because of all the successful trips Global Travellers keep having with our partners.
Our team is well travelled so you can rely on our experience. We’re with you every step of the way.
Join 100,000+ travellers – giving us 10000+ 4 & 5 star reviews – by choosing Global to make your travel dreams come true.
Most travellers book their trip 6-12 months in advance. Dates are flexible, but spaces are limited. So if you’re serious about volunteering in Japan, don’t delay.
With our Book Now, Decide Later feature, you can get started with a small deposit today, and take a full year to choose your dates.
We’ll take over from there, helping you with visas, flights, accommodation, and setting you up with our partner in Japan.
This is the trip for you if you’re after the ultimate volunteering experience in Japan, complete with everything you need and 24/7 support.
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Frequently asked questions
Why are you the best company to choose?
As the world’s leading gap-year and "work & travel" company, we pride ourselves on providing a premium service for Global Travellers. Choose from a variety of awesome experiences worldwide, and let us assist you with visas, pre-departure preparations, flights, insurance, and tours. Throughout your journey, our cool tech features will support you every step of the way. As a Global Traveller, gain access to gWorld, our personalised app designed to enhance your travel experience. Keep important documents and trip details handy, and take advantage of exclusive Marketplace deals, a vibrant social network, language learning resources, side trips, meet-ups, and more. It's like having all your favorite travel apps merged into one, but even better! But our support doesn't end there. With four international offices, around 100 dedicated staff members, a 24/5 emergency team, and the backing of over 100,000 Global Travellers who have turned their travel dreams into reality with us, rest assured you're in good hands. We also proudly boast the most and best reviews in the biz, and loved by a massive following on our social channels including Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook. Embark on your next adventure with confidence and ease. Join us and discover the world in a meaningful way!
Are flights & insurance included?
While we would love to include flights and insurance in our trip packages, it is not feasible to have a fixed price due to the diverse destinations, trip durations, and individual coverage needs of our travellers from around the globe. However, once you register for the trip, we will assign you a dedicated Travel Concierge. They will work closely with you to arrange the ideal flights and insurance tailored to your specific adventure. Rest assured, our team is here to ensure you have a smooth and hassle-free travel experience from start to finish!
Why should I book now?
After the last unexpected disruption to travel caused by the..c word..people are now more eager than ever to venture out and explore the world, determined not to miss out on any experiences. Global Work & Travel works on a first-in-best-dressed basis. Booking earlier ensures that you don’t miss out on the best intake, season, placements and more! We recommend our travellers take 6-12+ months to plan their trip for a reason - to make sure you’ve got everything organised perfectly, stress-free. As a Global Traveller you’ll get exclusive access to gWorld, our personalised app where you can keep all of your important documents and trip details in one spot and gain insider access to everything Global. This is where you will find exclusive Marketplace Deals, a unique social network to connect you with other like-minded Global Travellers, access to our Academy with an ever-growing range of skills & languages, and so much more. Think all of your favourite apps merged into one, but like, better? Why not give yourself something to look forward to by booking that trip!
Can I travel with a friend or partner?
Absolutely! For most of our trips, we can help arrange for you and your friends to be together - so you can live, work, play, and explore the world side by side. But that’s not all! You can also earn extra travel funds just by referring your friends to Global Work & Travel. It’s super simple, and you’ll find all the details about our referral rewards program inside your gWorld account once you’ve joined. Flying solo? No worries. We’ve made it easier than ever to connect with other Global Travellers heading to the same region through Social. Just like any social platform, you’ll be able to chat, share, and meet others doing similar trips - so you’re never really travelling alone.
Can I bring my pet along?
At Global Work & Travel, we share a deep love for animals and fully understand the special bond you have with your pet. We recognise the challenges of embarking on a trip without them. Due to travel restrictions, requirements, and limited pet-friendly accommodations among our host organisations, we regretfully cannot facilitate their inclusion in the journey. However, many of our customers choose to entrust their pets to a family member or friend, embark on their adventure, and return home to wagging tails and furry cuddles.
What happens if I need to cancel my trip?
We know that life can get in the way of travel, so all our trips come with a great deal of flexibility. In most cases, if you cannot travel on your selected date, you can place your trip on hold to deal with whatever is holding you back, and continue in the future without incurring any penalty. You may also have the option of transferring to an entirely different trip and destination as well, or even transferring your trip to a friend or family member. In the event that you need to outright cancel your trip, if you give us 84* days notice you can do so with only a 50% cancellation fee. Your refund of the balance will come in the form of a Store Credit which you can put toward any other trip that we offer, including tours through third-party providers, as well as holidays through DealsAway.com, and is valid for 2 years from date of issue. As international travel can be complex, your options are based on the progress of your trip organisation and our support team can assist you in finding the best solution for your needs.
How it works
1. Choose a trip style
Find your dream experience & destination, then secure your spot with a flexible & low deposit. Activate your gWorld to unlock some cool perks. Well done! The hardest part’s over!
2. We become friends
Book a time to meet your dedicated Trip Coordinator who knows all the ins & outs of your trip. They’ll be by your side and working behind-the-scenes to pull everything together.
3. Time to go!
We’ll get your tickets, accommodation & transfers ready. Our in-country team or partner will have everything prepared & waiting for your arrival. Get on the plane with no worries!
4. Global support
Never stress, knowing we’re there with you when you need us with ongoing & unlimited local team support. And just in case, we’ve got an emergency team on stand-by, 24 hours, Mon-Fri.
How it works
1. Choose a trip style
Find your dream experience & destination, then secure your spot with a flexible & low deposit. Activate your gWorld to unlock some cool perks. Well done! The hardest part’s over!
2. We become friends
Book a time to meet your dedicated Trip Coordinator who knows all the ins & outs of your trip. They’ll be by your side and working behind-the-scenes to pull everything together.
3. Time to go!
We’ll get your tickets, accommodation & transfers ready. Our in-country team or partner will have everything prepared & waiting for your arrival. Get on the plane with no worries!
4. Global support
Never stress, knowing we’re there with you when you need us with ongoing & unlimited local team support. And just in case, we’ve got an emergency team on stand-by, 24 hours, Mon-Fri.
Still have questions?
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Know that someone is always ready to assist throughout the journey & they’re only a call, tweet, comment, text or double tap away, 24/5.
We're the experts
With over 15 years in the industry and a team of over 80 passionate pros, you can bet we know our stuff better than anyone else.
Partner network
We have over 100's of partners around the globe, so we have access to plenty of exclusive opportunities to make your trip the best it can be.
Flexible trips
The unexpected can happen sometimes. Can't travel right now? Swap your trip, gift it or save it for later with our Lifetime Deposit Guarantee.
Worldwide support
Know that someone is always ready to assist throughout the journey & they’re only a call, tweet, comment, text or double tap away, 24/5.
We're the experts
With over 15 years in the industry and a team of over 80 passionate pros, you can bet we know our stuff better than anyone else.
Partner network
We have over 100's of partners around the globe, so we have access to plenty of exclusive opportunities to make your trip the best it can be.