Sometimes in World Campus – Japan we feel that we learn everything there is to learn, in one day, and on that same moment, we change gears and we start learning about something totally new and excited. Just like it happened on this afternoon.

After picking weeds out of the rice fields and learning about a local currency we were about to set up a complete set of beautiful lanterns along the streets of Asuke to then join a night festival that they prepare every year. The lanterns were made out of rice paper and bamboo, painted by the locals with beautiful different colors and decorations.

Not only did we set up all the lanterns, we also had a great time with our host families, enjoying the view of the town of Asuke by night, shopping in little traditional stores, new ones very modern, and great bakeries that sale very famous pastries, etc.

There was something for everyone in the family. We certainly enjoyed our time, while walking along the streets of this very cute little town close to the City of Toyota.

As you can read on the articles before this one, the World Campus – Japan participants went to Asuke, a small village located about 45 minutes away from the City of Toyota.
There we went to pick up weeds from the rice fields for a morning to help the rice farmers. In return, the rice farmers gave us Omusubi Currency as a payment for our work.

Omusubi Currency is a type of currency that was put into the rice market just a few months ago by locals from Asuke. 1 Omosubi = 75 grams of rice. It’s a little complicated, hard to understand and even harder to explain, but the main idea is to have the local people use this currency in the local stores and businesses to keep the income coming for the local rice farmers. The rice the farmers in this area grow is organic, so, no substances added to it. Which makes it better and more worth than the rice you buy at the supermarket anywhere.

Usually you, as an outsider can’t get Omusubi Currency, you have to work in the area, even if is just for a temporary work, to earn Omusubi Currency, then you can use them in the area.

We might agree or not with the idea of having a separate currency in a small area of the country but the locals are doing something to not only help their communities but also to make the organic rice business grow.