This entry was taken from the blog of Earth Embassy volunteer Adam Shane. To read more, please visit AdamShane.com

So… about farm life in Japan! A lot of people have been asking what I’d be doing here, and up until this week I really had no idea. Let me start by answering some of the more common questions.

Q: How do you expect to wake up at 5am and work the fields when you normally don’t go to bed until sunrise?

A: First of all, I don’t have to start work until nine. Second of all, the jetlag and time change has significantly altered my schedule. Lastly, the rooster makes it well known when the sun comes up.

Q: Will you be picking rice in a large paddy field?

A: No.

Q: What will you be doing then?

A: Mostly having fun. I fix things, build things, and sometimes get to destroy things. Amongst all of the little handyman odds and ends, most of my work revolves around getting the grounds ready for a 2 day festival/rave happening this weekend (May 4-5^th. If you happen to be in the area you should definitely come).

I do work about 8 hours a day, but the tasks I’ve been assigned have been enjoyable. This past week, I’ve used an industrial sized weed-wacker to clear a large field. I made frequent off-roading trips in a 4WD hauling supplies between buildings. I also constructed a large durable fire pit that should last at least a millennium. Sometime this week, I’m building a stage. It’s like being a kid playing with all of his toys in the dirt again… except these toys are real and very dangerous to play with. =)

Q: When you’re not working, what is there to do in the Japan wilderness?

A: The farm is located at the base of Mount Fuji, on the direct outskirts of the Aokigahara National Park. There are lots of trails, mountains, lakes, and caves to explore. When not out enjoying nature, time is usually spent in the café with the other volunteers, staff, and guests. We drink, play music, eat well and generally have a good time.

I’ve also had the pleasure of meeting quite a few of the locals, and expats from around the world. With the exception of the bi-weekly onsen public bathing occurrence, there haven’t been too many ‘unusual’ events. BBQs at the park, dinner in trendy restaurants, and bonfires at the farm are pretty normal to most people from America. Once you throw in the cultural mix and Asian influence life still remains extremely exiting.

Before my first full week of work at the Earth Embassy’s organic farm I took a short hike through the surrounding Aokigahara “Sea of Trees”. Among the volcanic rock and dense, mossy woods is the Ice Cave (cue FF7 music). During Mt. Fuji’s last eruption several lava tunnels were cut through the area. This particular cave happens to stay so cold and wet that icicles and blocks of ice are present even in the hottest summer months. While that sounds cool (no pun intended) in theory, it was actually quite a miserable experience to squeeze my 6’4” body into. I didn’t really consider how small and icy these lava tunnels actually are. After nearly witnessing horrible slipping injuries of a few people in front of me, I carefully made way to the exit and back to the farm.

Staying here is has been very worthwhile. I’m getting very used to meeting diverse people from around the world. My Japanese vocabulary is growing each day. Mt. Fuji is always visible, from the moment I wake up to the time I sit typing this blog. Each day has been memorable, but I’ll save the elaboration here for more adventurous tales. I may have some stories to tell after this weekends festival, but if not I have plans to spend a few more days in Tokyo next weekend.

Rueben our no.1 Ambassador Sheep, will be the Earth Embassy's first official delegate to the British Embassy, on April 28, in Tokyo.

He will be meeting with other officials and the public on the Embassy grounds outside the Japanese Imperial Palace. The meeting is being held in conjunction with our spring opening of the Earth Embassy's new Eden Farm School on Mt Fuji and the British School Tokyo's spring fete.

May 4 and 5 on Mt Fuji, the Embassy will host the first annual Eden Kid's Festival at our newly opened 366square meter classroom space, with organic meals at the Solar Cafe and activities throughout the farm. Horseriding, hiking, giant soap bubble making, yoga, karate, raspberry and mint planting, Okinawan live music, Andean pipe music concert, ultimate frisbee, top making and spinning Olympics, instrument making and kids jam, staff rave produced by Baleric Sunrise (for after the kiddies have gone home) and special appearances by a few famous Japanese musicians and tv celebs.

This entry was taken from the blog of Earth Embassy volunteer Adam Shane. To read more, please visit AdamShane.com

After two hours of bus transport, I found myself the sole passenger dropped off on the side of a two lane highway in the middle of the woods. It was late and the day’s light was beginning to fade. I literally walked through a cloud, following vague directions towards the farm. Through the heavy snowfall I spotted a few signs in English… Solar Café… Closed!?!? The last bus of the day had long since sped off, and feared the worst: stranded in a foreign country’s wilderness with no shelter as frozen water fell and accumulated.

I pressed onwards toward the building. Through the front window were the shadows a lone figure. Whew… I won’t have to break out that foil emergency blanket I packed. Pulling open the door, I walked in and announced “Hello, I’m Adam.” He responded. “Hello, I’m Adam. I’m from New York. Where are you from?”

He proceed to explain that the chef was on vacation, and due to the recent rain and snow there has been no farm work or guests in the ryokan (Japanese style hotel room). After an hour Jake showed up and introduced himself as the owner. Jake is also from New York. Two Adam’s volunteering at a farm in Japan… and all three of us hailing from the north-east USA!! Surreal?!? This truly is a small world.

This place has a great vibe. The café has a stage loaded with instruments. We played a bit of music and had a few hours of great conversation. Jake and Adam are both really down to earth. I can tell I’m really going to enjoy working with them for the next couple of months.

There are no guests now, so I was able to sleep in the ryokan for the night. My normal accommodation would either be in the tree house or teepee. Awesome!!

Please join us in welcoming our latest volunteer, Adam #2! Adam arrived on April 18th and will be with us for about 2 months. Adam comes from New Jersey in the US where he operated his own recording studio. After years of recording musicians in his area, he decided to sell everything he owns and hit the road. Adam's goal is to collaborate with local musicians in every country he visits. It seems our guest house will be the perfect place for him to start achieving this goal.

Naoko grew up in Niigata, Japan and now helps run the Solar Cafe & Guest House as the head cook. Before coming to work at the cafe, she was a cook at a national park in the mountains of Oze. Her specialty is vegetarian cooking and her goal is to create meals that are both delicious and healthy.

Adam is the latest long term volunteer at the Earth Embassy. He arrived on April 2nd and will be with us for the next two months. Adam comes all the way from the Big Apple (New York City) where he worked as a web designer. His plan is to spend the next 8 months traveling around Japan and South East Asia while doing volunteer work along the way. Not only will he be lending a hand in the farm fields and around the cafe, but he will use his web design expertise to help make much needed improvements to our website. Thanks, Adam!