Asia Future Leaders Scholarship Program (AFLSP) Service Learning 2026

Inheritance of Traditional Culture and Contemporary Challenges: Using Miyama-cho as an Example (伝統文化の継承と現代の課題―美山町を例に)

October 10 (Sat) to 12 (Mon, holiday), 2026 (three days, two nights)

The aim is to expand the horizons of international students by allowing them to directly experience the charms and challenges of rural areas in Japan, providing them opportunities to gain deep insights into intercultural understanding and sustainability. Specifically, we are planning the following (but not limited to these):

1. Understanding and Respecting Traditional Culture: By allowing international students to experience traditional culture and lifestyles in Japan's rural areas, we aim to broaden their international perspectives and deepen their respect and understanding of culture.
2. Promotion of Diversity and Inclusion: By exposing students to unique regional cultures and traditions, we provide an opportunity for them to realize the value of diversity and reflect on the importance of accepting and collaborating with people from different cultural backgrounds.
3. Understanding the Reality of Aging and Declining Birthrates: Students will witness firsthand the issue of an aging population and declining birthrates, which is a realistic challenge in rural areas. They will delve deeper into the impacts and problems faced by the local community, learning beyond what is taught in traditional school education.
4. Promotion of Sustainable Development: Contrary to popular tourist destinations, students will appreciate the charm and value of rural areas. They will also reflect on the negative impacts brought about by environmental changes and overtourism, and contemplate methods of sustainable tourism and agricultural development.

• Oct 10th (Kyoto → Miyama): JR Nijo Station (二条駅) 10:12 (express train) → Sonobe Station (園部駅) 10:44 (transit) 10:46 (local train) → Hiyoshi (日吉) 10:54 → City Bus 11:10 → Agake (安掛) 11:46 → Visitor center (美山ふれあい広場) 11:50
• Oct 12th (Miyama → Kyoto): Agake (安掛) 12:05 (city bus) → Hiyoshi (日吉) → JR (local train) → Sonobe (園部) (transit) (express) → Nijo (二条)
• Note: The supervisor goes with a car.

10 scholars/alumni (5 male and 5 female), 1 Japanese students (female), 1 supervisor (male), * = group leader (chosen by Japanese ability)

To group leaders, please organize your group during the transportation and other activities such as discussion. See Pre-Program also.

From 2026, AFLSP@KU will buy insurance and cover the transportation cost for all participants.

Please complete the pre-learning, interview, and report in groups. For interview, please prepare three to four questions to ask or discuss during the interview with local people. We ask each member contributes to a unique task during the interview such as management/time keeper, interviewing, writing memo, writing the final report, etc.

Reference fo pre-learning

https://kyototamba-vc.com/db/

Please fill the next table with questions for interview before Oct 10th. Please feel free to change the topics to what you are interested in learning.

• 12:00-13:00, Oct 8th (Zoom), including program explanation, Q&A, etc.
• We designed the competence sheet for this program. Please check it before the SL and submit the first sheet after the SL.

1. 歯ブラシ Tooth brush
2. バスタオル、ハンドタオル Bath towel and hand towel
3. パジャマ Night wear
4. 着替え spare cloths
5. （農作業のための）汚れてもよい靴、服　Cloth and shoes that you can get dirty (for farming)
6. 薄手の羽織りもの、カーディガンなど　※朝晩は冷えて寒いです。10℃くらい Warm wear like Jacket, cardigan, etc (It is cold in the morning and at night. The temperature is about 10 degree centigrade.)
7. 雨具 Umbrella
8. 帽子 ※昼間は暑いです。It is pretty hot during the day time.
9. モバイルバッテリー（あれば） Mobile battery if you need
10. 携帯電話/スマホ（充電器・ケーブルもお忘れなく） Mobile phone or smart phone (don't forget the charger and cable)
11. お金 Money
12. 身分証明書（免許や在留カード等） ID card (e.g., residence card)
13. 筆記用具（ノート・紙とペン） Notebook/Paper and pen
14. ビニール袋数枚（ゴミなどに） Plastic bags (for garbage etc)
15. マスク、絆創膏、虫・蚊よけスプレー、（該当者）薬，コンタクトレンズなど Face mask, bandage, bug/mosquito spay, medicine (if needed), contact lens, etc
16. 記録や発表に必要なら、ラップトップパソコンまたはタブレット Laptop or tablet if needed for taking memo or doing presentation
17. その他必要なもの，ただし必要最小限に．Others necessary (keep them the minimum)

Oct 10th (Sat)

• 10:00 JR Nijo Station (二条駅) → 10:12 (express train) → Sonobe Station (園部駅) 10:44 (transit) 10:46 (local train) → Hiyoshi (日吉) 10:54 → City Bus 11:10
• 11:46 Arrive Agake (安掛) → walk to Visitor center (美山ふれあい広場, 京都丹波高原国定公園ビジターセンター）
• 12:00 Lunch (Bento)
• 13:00 Introduction (90 minutes lecture) by DMO (一般社団法人南丹市美山観光まちづくり協会)
• 14:30 Free time (30 minutes)
• 15:15 Move to Kashikaso/美山町自然文化村河鹿荘 (by Kashikaso's shuttle bus)
• 15:30 Check-in (美山町自然文化村河鹿荘)
• After 15:30 Activities to be decided by each group (May include sense foraging in Nature, night event, etc. Notice that dinner time is fixed)

Oct 11th (Sun)

• 7:30 Breakfast
• 8:50 「美山町自然文化村」バス停 → かやぶきの里 (city bus)
• 9:00 Guided tour かやぶきの里 (Japanese, 45 minutes) → 45 minutes free time
• 10:30 Interview (90 minutes) at かやぶきの里の北公民館
  • Group A ?
  • Group B ?
  • Group C ?
• 12:00 Lunch (Bento)
• 12:40 Move (by DMO's car etc)
• 13:00 Volunteer activity (2.5 hours)
• 15:30 Finish and move (by DMO's car etc)
• 16:00 Orientation on home stay 美山町自然文化村河鹿荘 → move to three host families

Oct 12th (Mon, holiday)

• ? Breakfast at each host family
• 8:30 Move to the Visitor center (by host families' cars)
• 9:00 Closing ceremony 京都丹波高原国定公園ビジターセンター (Visitor center)
• 9:30 Reflection 京都丹波高原国定公園ビジターセンター (45 min for overall, 45 min in groups)
• 11:00 Lunch (Bento) 京都丹波高原国定公園ビジターセンター
• 12:05 Bus stop Agake (安掛) → (city bus) → Hiyoshi (日吉) → JR (local train) → Sonobe (園部) (transit) (express) → Nijo (二条)
• 12:15 Prof. Zhao leaves

1. There is no convenience store in Miyama. Please prepare any anticipated necessary items in advance before participating.
2. Depending on the location, there may be no cellular signal.
3. It may get cold in the morning and evening → better to prepare a jacket.

Scholars (not Japanese student nor alumni) must submit the next reports to fulfill part of the requirement by AFLSP.

• Deadline: Oct 17th (the day of the monthly seminar this month)
• Individual competence sheet (see the above explanation in Pre-learning section)
• Individual report: two pages about your personal learning and reflection (free style) + competence sheet (fill the first sheet please)
• Group report: 4 pages including the findings of pre-learning, interview, discussion, references, etc (in report style).

• Photo: Ayaka-san (thank you!)
• Short movie (about 2 - 3 minutes) creation: Any volunteer?
• We will upload some pictures and movies online. Please notice this is considered a duty for the program.

• To be included.