For my CIP I vo lunteered at Umekoji Park, less than a 10 minute walk from Kyoto station. Alongside 10- 15 local volunteers as well as 2 other KCJS students, we spent our Saturday mornings various exciting doing jobs such as cutting and cleaning up trees and flowers, planting new flowers around the park, and mixing up new dirt for the trees in the park. As the days got warmer, the beginning park to have weekly food stalls and big events around the park where there were numerous dance performances and various other activities. It was always a treat to walk around and see the liveliness of the park as we helped out. My advice to incoming students would be to not be afraid– due to the other volunteers Kansai accents, may it be hard to understand them at first, but all the volunteers are extremely kind and understanding, and do not mind showing you something again if you do not get it first try. Umekoji volunteering is a great space to contribute to the surrounding Kyoto community while also building strong relationships with local residents!