1,000 visitors! Koshimizu Town Disaster Prevention Center Complex "Watashino" Grand Opens on May 28th | Supervised by Renaissance, OKULAB, and Montbell, with space designed by Atelier Bunk and NOMURA Co.,Ltd.

On May 28, 2023, Koshimizu Town's disaster prevention base complex government building "Watashino", which is being promoted through public-private partnership, opened in Koshimizu Town, Hokkaido, and the inside of the facility was unveiled. At the opening event, the children of the town celebrated the opening with a “giant potato” Kusudama opening that looked just like the real thing. About 1,000 people came to visit, and the facility was filled with smiles. “Watashino” is the first public facility in Japan*1 to have the functions of a government office, and has introduced a phase-free*2 concept. As a place open to the community, there is a community space, cafe, laundry, fitness gym & studio, and "Nigiwai Hiroba" with a bouldering wall.

NOMURA Co.,Ltd. Co., Ltd. also participated as a partner company and was in charge of planning the lively area, space/VI concept design, and opening PR. The seven companies participating as partner organizations and companies are listed below.

NPO Groundwork Koshimizu
Renaissance Co., Ltd.
OKULAB Co., Ltd.
Atelier Bunk Co., Ltd.
NOMURA Co.,Ltd. Co., Ltd.
Calorie Co., Ltd.
Ebase Solutions Co., Ltd.

“Watashino” is a place where “you can experience only in Koshimizu-cho” by making the best use of the charm of the town.

　Koshimizu Town is one of Hokkaido's most naturally rich towns. As a friend town of outdoor gear brand Montbell, which also places a strong emphasis on nature tourism, the town boasts a Montbell-designed bouldering wall and the first laundry facility in Japan (supervised by OKULAB) to feature the Montbell Water-Repellent Course, which uses environmentally friendly, non-fluorinated Montbell water repellent. The fitness gym and studio, supervised by Renaissance, offers the first immersive training experience in eastern Hokkaido using a VR bike. The hot studio and other programs are designed to promote health and wellness throughout the town. The cafe offers original dishes made with plenty of potatoes, including clam chowder and gelato, allowing you to savor the charms of Koshimizu Town, the birthplace of Calbee potato chips, through its food.
The space, which makes use of nature and the local climate, design administration by Atelier Bunk, with the space and VI concept design handled by NOMURA Co.,Ltd. Anyone can feel free to visit, connect with fellow townspeople, and spend their time comfortably however they like.

State of the opening event

　At the opening ceremony held on May 28, Hiroshi Kubo, mayor of Koshimizu Town, representatives of community development partners (Renaissance, OKULAB, Montbell, and Phase Free Association), and Katsumasa Yagi, representative of the governing body of the lively area and chairman of NPO Groundwork Koshimizu. In addition, representatives of the town and this facility attended. At the opening event in the afternoon, 24 children held a Koshimizu-cho original "Giant Potato" Kusudama, the only one in the world that looked just like the real thing.

Mayor Kubo and Chairman Yagi said, "We want people to feel free to visit Watashino, and we want to create a lively atmosphere by strengthening connections between people. ” he greeted. From the townspeople, "Until now, I didn't go to the town hall unless I had something to do. From now on, I would like to use it as a playground for children and as a place where everyone can gather, such as meetings with parents." I would like to use the laundry as well.” A staff member of the government office also said, "If it becomes a place for the townspeople, they will be able to remember their faces. I want to talk to the children and raise the children who will be the future of the town." I spoke with enthusiasm.

Population 4,500 Koshimizu-cho tackles the challenge of revitalization and sustainable community development through public-private partnership

　Of the 1,718 municipalities nationwide, about half*3 are said to be depopulated areas. As a solution to the social issues of depopulation and aging, Koshimizu Town and private companies and other community development partners will work together to make the new government building a base for community revitalization and disaster prevention. We will promote community development that people can think of.

▶Please see the attached PDF for detailed information about the facility.

▶Click here for articles and videos where the project leader talks about the consideration process

*1 Research by Koshimizu Town *2 Phase-free: Two phases, normal and emergency, are free. The idea that the goods and services around us can be used not only in everyday life but also in emergencies. As of April 1, 2020)”

Facility overview, partner companies and roles, contact list
Equipment outline

Collaborating companies and roles

Inquiries regarding this matter

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Koshimizu Town Disaster Prevention Base Complex Government Building Opening Public Relations Office