Throughout the year, INOW hosts seasonal small-group programs that bring together individual travelers who share a common curiosity about sustainability, rural life, and regenerative futures.
A small-group journey into zero-waste living
AUTUMN 2026
Date: November 26-30, 2026
Duration: 3 Days / 4 Nights
Arrival: Thursday, November 26, 2026
Program: Friday, November 27 – Sunday, November 29, 2026
Departure: Monday, November 30, 2026
Program Price: 130,000 JPY
This program gathers a small group of travelers to spend three days immersed in that rhythm. This program is for anyone curious to learn about zero waste and sustainability from a practical, local, and cultural perspective.
Kamikatsu’s journey offers valuable lessons on how a community can thrive by embracing sustainability, resourcefulness, and cultural heritage, providing a blueprint for addressing the global waste crisis and fostering a sustainable future.
WHY Zero Waste Center
KAMIKATSU
Our Itinerary
Overview
Thursday, November 26 | Arrival & Welcome
Participants arrive in Kamikatsu and settle into village life. In the evening, we come together for a warm welcome, get to know one another, and begin our shared journey.
Friday, November 27 | Zero Waste as a Way of Life
Begin with a refreshing morning walk to Mt. Yamainudake, a moss forest that invites a special moment of connection with nature. In the afternoon, we will explore Kamikatsu’s pioneering zero-waste journey through a guided facility tour, a hands-on workshop, and meeting local staff at the WHY Zero Waste Center.
Saturday, November 28 | Living with Nature & Local Rhythm
We start the day with a visit to a local farmer and join a seasonal agricultural activity to experience how food and farming connect to the satoyama landscape. Afterwards, we explore community-based initiatives such as the Kayabuki School and reflect on how relationships with nature, seasonality, and community shape sustainable ways of living.
Sunday, November 29 | Circular Skills & Community Exchange
Spend time with a local artist exploring circular living, repair, and traditional craft. We’ll share lunch and tea. In the afternoon, we come together for a skills exchange, where you can learn a local, seasonal skill and enjoy time to exchange stories and different perspectives with one another. In the evening, we close the program with a moment of reflection, sharing how we might carry what we’ve learned forward, and a group farewell dinner at Cafe Polestar.
Monday, November 30 | Optional Nature moment & Departure
Participants departing on November 30 can enjoy an optional morning moment in nature before leaving Kamikatsu.
Content or flow of activities may change due to weather or availability of residents.
Themes: Mottainai
Mottainai もったいない is a concept Japanese people use in daily life. The word, roughly translated it means ‘let’s not waste’, or ‘that’s a waste’. It conveys a sense of sadness or regret when something might go to waste, reflecting a deep respect for the value of all things and an attitude of ensuring nothing of value is wasted.
You will learn about the process of change in our village and we will connect you with residents active in the waste movement. It’s also an opportunity to connect as a group and learn about each other’s motivation to be part of this program.
Kurashi
Kurashi 暮らし refers to “a way of life”. Kurashi is not only a collection of lifestyle choices, but a deeper orientation toward time, values, and relationships.
Understanding waste requires recognizing that it results from the lifestyles we choose. It’s about how we relate to time, money, and effort. This day will emphasize designing a lifestyle that prioritizes joy, simplicity, and sustainability, offering insights into how our choices impact waste and our overall well-being.
Kufu
Kūfū 工夫’: refers to ingenuity or resourcefulness – It’s about the creativity needed to solve problems, and about paying close attention to what’s already in front of you.”
Resourcefulness is important, especially in environments lacking convenience. While convenience can lead to waste, inconvenience fosters awareness of our surroundings and how to utilize abundant resources.
Spend time with local residents
Your Stay
Accommodation
You’ll be staying in a traditional-style hotel called Tsukigatani Onsen Hotel.
You’ll be staying in a mix of traditional-style accommodations, including hotel rooms and bungalows at the Tsukigatani Onsen Hotel. Each room has a private bathroom and shower, with public access to an onsen (Japanese bath*) for those who wish to try it.
Participants can select between an individual room or a shared room (with another participant of the same gender). See Q&A below for more information.
*Tattoos are accepted at our onsen if they are for an aesthetic purpose, but please cover large tattoos if possible.
Meals
Food is an important part of the program and we make sure to work with people who value seasonal, locally grown ingredients.
- Breakfast: Typically consists of rice, miso, vegetables, and a meat or fish dish.
- Lunch: We’ll visit a variety of places within Kamikatsu.
- Dinner: On your own each evening, except for the group dinner on the last evening.
Dietary Preferences & Restrictions:
If you have any dietary requirements (e.g., allergies, vegetarian, religious), please inform INOW in advance so we can try to accommodate you. That said, options may be limited, so we encourage you to be flexible and open to trying new dishes.
INOW Zero Waste Autumn Program (November 26-30, 2026)
Apply Before November 8, 2026
Application and Confirmation of Participation
Submitting an application does not guarantee a place in the program. All applications will be reviewed by the INOW team, and we will contact applicants as soon as possible to inform them of the outcome.
No payment is required at the time of application. If your application is accepted, we will contact you with confirmation of your place and provide further information about the payment process and deadlines.
For any further questions or concerns, please contact us at inowkamikatsu@gmail.com.
Who is this program for?
Does any of this resonate with you?
Pricing
The program is ¥130,000 JPY (about €750 EUR or $850 USD) including tax, per person. Please see the FAQ ‘Program Contents’ below for what’s included and not included in this price.
A non-refundable deposit ¥30,000 JPY ($200 USD) secures your place with the balance due 2 weeks before the start date.
This program is intended for anyone with a curiosity to learn about zero waste and sustainability from a practical, local and cultural perspective.
What’s Included?
What’s not included: Flights, hotel stay in Kamikatsu, travel insurance, incidentals, passport and visa fees
For estimated additional costs, please see the Q&A ‘About Program Costs’
INOW Team
Our small team of three is passionate about facilitating immersive experiences that allow us to connect, play, feel inspired, learn, and reflect together on some of the social and environmental issues communities grapple with.
At INOW, we don’t consider ourselves as guides or teachers, but rather as facilitators of spaces of dialogue in which we can share ideas, skills, and different perspectives between people in and outside of Kamikatsu.
INOW Teachers
Fundamental to our program are our Kamikatsu residents and businesses, as they inspire our guests with local, Japanese, cultural practices and lifestyles, such as satoyama and mottainai, as well as contemporary practices, such as recycling, natural farming, and circular economy.
We like to call the residents ‘teachers’ because we see unique value in the experience, perspectives, and skills they hold. They might not be ‘experts’ or ‘teachers’ in a conventional sense. Instead, residents will take you into their daily lives, businesses, community projects; share perspectives and skills, and might have as many questions for you, as you have for them.
Q&A
Program Contents
Q: What is included in the INOW Autumn (November) Program?
- All experiences, workshops, activities
- Lunch on days of the program (1 group dinner will be included in the program)
- Equitable pay to local ‘teachers’ and businesses
- Translation, facilitation and guiding
- Transportation within the village to all the activities
Everything, except for your stay + breakfast and dinners, are included in the program fee.
The program includes transportation, lunches, 1 group dinner, all experience fees, cultural activities, and equitable pay to all the local people we cooperate with during the program.
Q: What is not included in the program?
- Transportation to and from Kamikatsu
- Personal insurance (all guests must carry personal insurance)
- Breakfast and dinners (1 group dinner will be included in the program)
- Accommodation (we will provide support for booking)
Transportation to/from Kamikatsu is not included. Participants must cover their own airfare, travel documentation, and medical insurance.
We also do not cover discretionary funds for personal snacks, gifts, or other personal needs.
Travel health insurance is compulsory and necessary for participating in the program. If you are unsure about what type of insurance you should purchase, please contact us for more details.
Q: How is INOW and my participation contributing to Kamikatsu and beyond?
While our time is short and INOW is only a tiny part of a larger community, slowly, INOW and your participation in this program contribute to:
- Fostering educational opportunities in the community
- Transmitting cultural practices, knowledge, and skills
- Protecting, sustaining, and revitalizing landscapes and human-nature relationships
- Encouraging and empowering local participation by valuing rural lifestyle, knowledge, and skills.
- Supporting the flow of economic impact to small businesses, artists, and residents
- Contributing to rural development
- Affirming, supporting, and advancing places, projects, and businesses that focus on building more sustainable societies
- Building a community of conscious thinkers that value societies embedded and developed in relationship to our natural world.
- Nurturing and promoting conscious resource use by valuing economic and societal practices that include and encourage: reuse, repurpose, and repair; local production and consumption; resourcefulness, community building and reliance, and human-nature relationships.
- Encouraging tourism that operates consciously and responsibly in relationship to community and environment.
Program Costs
Q: What is the price of the program?
The cost of the program is 130,000 JPY (including tax)
Please check the ‘Program Contents’ question to see what it includes and does not include.
Q: What is the accommodation price?
You will be staying as a group in the Tsukigatani Onsen Hotel, a traditional Japanese-style hotel with tatami and futon.
You have the option to share a room with another participant or choose to stay in a private room.
- Shared room: 7,800 JPY/night/person
- Private room: 10,550 JPY/night/person
Your hotel stay includes a Japanese-style breakfast and free access to the onsen facilities.
The INOW team will assist with booking your room. Payment can be made directly to the hotel in cash or with a credit card.
Q: What are the costs associated with getting to Kamikatsu?
Please check out our Access page for more information about how to get to Kamikatsu.
Estimated one-way transport costs:
- Via KIX + public buses: approximately ¥6,300 per person
- Via KIX + private taxi from Tokushima Station: approximately ¥14,000 per person in total, including the airport bus to Tokushima and a taxi; less per person when sharing the taxi
- Via HND + flight + public buses: approximately ¥10,000–¥25,000+ per person.
- Via HND + flight + private taxi from Tokushima Airport: approximately ¥17,000–¥33,000+ per person if travelling alonei; less per person when sharing the taxi
Q: What other costs may I expect during the program?
During your stay, all program activities, meals, and transportation within Kamikatsu are included, except for accommodation, dinners, and transportation to/from Kamikatsu .
For dinner, we recommend the restaurant connected to the hotel. It’s also a popular gathering place for local residents to enjoy meals with friends and family.
Meal prices range from approximately ¥900 (around €5 / US$6) to ¥3,500 (around €20 / US$22). You’ll find a variety of local dishes and vegetarian options, from simple soba noodle dishes to more substantial Japanese set meals.
If you are interested in Kamikatsu souvenirs, there is a farmers’ market selling local products such as Awa Bancha Tea, Yukou syrup, Yuzu ponzu, etc.
Q: How do I make a payment?
Payments can be made by international bank. A 20% deposit or payment in full is required to secure your position in the program.
Q: What are the cancellation and payment terms?
Please refer to our Terms & Conditions page for more information.
Weather and Packing
Q: What’s the weather like in November in Kamikatsu?
Typical Conditions in November
- Daytime temperatures: ~15–19°C (59–66°F) — generally cool and pleasant.
- Night/early morning: ~5–10°C (41–50°F) — chilly, especially outdoors.
- Rain chance: Moderate (around 20–30% of days).
- Clothing recommendation: Bring layers, a warm jacket for evenings, and rain gear in case of showers.
Q: What should I pack? How should I dress?
We will spend a considerable amount of time outdoors, so please dress in clothing that is comfortable.
A full list of recommended packing items will be provided to you spot in the program is confirmed.
Program Expectations
Q: What can I expect from the INOW program?
Connect with local people, lifestyle, culture, nature and traditions
Learn together: Spend one week together with a community of like-minded individuals learning about sustainability within a rural Japanese context;
Learn practically about Kamikatsu’s waste system, and connect to a deeper understanding of zero waste and sustainability connected to lifestyle, philosophy, and culture;
Experience real examples of ‘resourcefulness’, ‘circularity’ and human-nature relationships;
Expect nature! Sun, rain, bugs… (we’ll make sure you’re well-packed!)
Q: What should I not expect?
You will not find ready-made, textbook one-size-fits-all answers, solutions or tools that you could apply within your own life context;
You will not experience Kamikatsu as a romanticized zero waste village where everyone cares about the environment and no one creates waste.
Some residents and businesses care deeply about the environment and are conscious of consumption and waste; and equally, some don’t care about the environment.
With the start of the zero waste movement, 2 decades ago, something very special and unique started in Kamikatsu, and we hope we can take you through that journey in our village.
Q: What kind of participant are you looking for?
This program is intended for anyone with a curiosity to learn and broaden their horizons about zero waste and the environment in Japan; for individuals who are looking for an opportunity to connect with like-minded people from different countries and backgrounds.
Open-minded: You are open to listening and learning from difference
Seeking an experience to expand your comfort zone: You understand that these experiences may challenge you to move beyond your comfort zone (e.g. weather, nature, no convenience stores,…).
Group-minded: You can cooperate within a group and are supportive and inclusive of other people’s opinions, experience levels, and comfort zones.
Co-creative: You actively take part in shaping a meaningful learning experience for yourself, other group members, and local people.
Driven to create a sustainable future: You are motivated to learn, connect, and build a more sustainable future in your home and community.
Flexible: You can be flexible to a changing schedule. We are dependent on weather circumstances and work with the rhythm of local people.
Program Language
Q: What is the main program language?
The program will be conducted in English. Applicants should feel comfortable using English proficiently.
Most of our local residents speak only Japanese. We will provide Japanese-English translation throughout the program.
Q: Do I need to speak Japanese?
Japanese is not required. There will be translation and interpretation so everyone will be able to connect with one another. Having a basic understanding of greetings, phrases, and simple conversation is a nice bonus!
Program Logistics
Q: Where does the program take place?
The program will entirely take place in Kamikatsu, Tokushima, Japan.
While we are considered the smallest village of Shikoku island, residents live deeply scattered in the mountains.
For information on how to get to Kamikatsu, please see access.
Q: How do I get to Kamikatsu? How much will is cost?
The easiest way to reach us is usually via Kansai International Airport (KIX) or Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND).
If you arrive at Kansai International Airport in Osaka (KIX), you can take a direct highway bus to Tokushima Station (approximately 2 hours 45 minutes, ¥5,000). Please note that direct buses are limited and you may need to transfer via Osaka Herbis station if the timing does not fit. Then continue to Kamikatsu by local bus or taxi.
If you arrive at Tokyo Haneda Aiport (HND), you can take a domestic flight to Tokushima Awaodori Airport (approximately 1 hour 10 minutes, usually ¥8,000–¥25,000+), followed by an airport bus to Tokushima Station (around ¥600–¥800).
From Tokushima Station, you can reach Kamikatsu in several ways.
The most affordable option is to take a Tokushima bus and transfer to the Kamikatsu town bus, costing approximately ¥1,300 per person and taking around 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours.
Alternatively, you can arrange a Kamikatsu taxi or drive (renting a car) directly to Kamikatsu.
Taxi costs: A private taxi from Tokushima Station to Kamikatsu costs approximately ¥9,000 per vehicle. The cost can be divided among your group—for example, ¥4,500 per person for two people, ¥3,000 for three, or ¥2,250 for four.
Kamikatsu taxis require advance reservation (INOW can assist with your reservation) and take around 55–75 minutes.
For information on how to get to Kamikatsu, please see access.Japanese is not required. There will be translation and interpretation so everyone will be able to connect with one another. Having a basic understanding of greetings, phrases, and simple conversation is a nice bonus!Japanese is not required. There will be translation and interpretation so everyone will be able to connect with one another. Having a basic understanding of greetings, phrases, and simple conversation is a nice bonus!