Agriculture × Business
6th-Sector School
Grow. Process. Sell. Experience the full cycle of regional production and local economy.
Real-world learning that connects the land to the market.
Seasonal program
Kawanishi · Hyogo
What is 6th-sector?
The field is the classroom.
The market is the exam.
In Japan, “6th-sector” refers to the integration of primary production (farming), secondary production (processing), and tertiary activities (sales and services) — 1 × 2 × 3 = 6.
At Sasabase, this concept is explored as a form of practical, place-based learning. Participants engage in activities related to agriculture, processing, and local distribution, gaining insight into how value is created within a regional community.
Business thinking is not taught abstractly. It emerges from the work itself — from decisions made in the field, problems addressed in the kitchen, and conversations held around local products and markets.
Program structure
From field to value —
learning the cycle through practice.
Primary — Grow
Participants engage in seasonal farming activities, from preparing the fields to tending the rice paddies, alongside local farmers.
Secondary — Process
Through small-scale processing and local practices, participants explore how raw materials can be transformed into products.
Tertiary — Sell
Participants gain exposure to how products are shared, communicated, and valued within a local context.
1 × 2 × 3 = 6th Sector
The cycle itself becomes the learning. Business thinking is not taught abstractly — it develops through real experiences, grounded in the realities of this community.
Who it's for
For those who want to learn
through real life, not just in theory.
- People interested in hands-on, place-based learning
- Those curious about agriculture, food, and local life in Japan
- Individuals exploring new ways of working, learning, or living
- International participants are welcome (especially those based in Japan or able to stay for a period)
Rather than offering a fixed program, we arrange participation on a request basis. Often, the best way to join is by taking part in ongoing activities or local events, depending on timing.
Join the school
Get your hands in the soil.
The 6th-Sector School is arranged on a seasonal, request basis. Contact us to explore what may be possible depending on timing.
Participants from Japan and abroad are welcome.