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INTERNSHIPS & OPENINGS
Four hands-on tracks in Niyodogawa. Learn charcoal, craft, lodging, or rural business from the ground up.
THE PROGRAMME
At Sumizumi, interns work. Depending on the track, you'll be packing kilns, making soap, managing Airbnb guests, or helping figure out how to sell charcoal to architects. The work is real and the learning is proportional.
We accept university students and working adults considering a career change, a move to the countryside, or a closer look at how a small rural business actually runs.
CONDITIONS
Duration
Short term: 1 week – 1 month Long term: 2–6 months
Cost
Unpaid. Travel and accommodation costs are borne by the participant. Stay at Sumi no Ie or nearby accommodation is available at low cost.
HOW TO APPLY
Email info@sumizumi.org with your resume, your reasons for applying (around 400 characters), and your preferred dates. We reply within a week.
info@sumizumi.orgOpen Contact FormCURRENT OPENINGS
Charcoal Track
Learn traditional charcoal-making techniques that have been passed down for hundreds of years through hands-on experience at our earthen kilns in Niyodogawa. You will work through the full cycle — from wood selection to final sorting.
What you'll learn
Crafts Track
Get hands-on with zero-waste product development at Sumizumi. Learn the craft behind PEA Soap, Unpeak Coffee, and our kimono remaking work. Suitable for those interested in sustainable manufacturing, design, and rural entrepreneurship.
What you'll learn
Lodging Track
Learn the day-to-day operations of running Sumi no Ie, our 100-year-old renovated farmhouse on the Niyodogawa River. This track covers everything from guest experience to local community collaboration.
What you'll learn
Community Track
Gain real-world experience starting and running a business in a rural Japanese community. Work alongside the Sumizumi team on regional revitalization, community-building, and the practical realities of entrepreneurship far from a city.
What you'll learn