1000 visitors! Koshimizu Town Disaster Prevention Base Type Complex Government Building “Watashino” Grand Opening from May 28 | Supervised by Renaissance, OKULAB, Montbell, Atelier Bunk, NOMURA

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. also participated as a partner company, and was in charge of bustling area planning, space / VI concept design, and opening PR. The following seven companies are participating as affiliated organizations and companies.

NPO Groundwork Koshimizu
Renaissance Co., Ltd.
OKULAB Co., Ltd.
Atelier Bunk Co., Ltd.
NOMURA 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 has one of the richest natural environments in Hokkaido. As a friend town of the outdoor goods brand Montbell, which also focuses on nature tourism, the bouldering wall supervised by Montbell and the "Montbell water repellent course" using environment-friendly non-fluorine Montbell water repellent are the first in Japan. Installed in the laundry (supervised by OKULAB). At the fitness gym and studio supervised by Renaissance, Hokkaido and eastern Hokkaido's first VR bike training has been introduced. We will liven up the whole town healthily with programs that everyone can enjoy, including hot studios. At the cafe, you can enjoy the charm of Koshimizu-cho, the birthplace of Calbee potato chips, from the food, offering original menus using plenty of potatoes, clam chowder and gelato.
Atelier Bunk is in charge of design administration, and NOMURA is in charge of space and VI concept design for the space that makes use of nature and climate. Anyone can feel free to visit, and while connecting with other townspeople, you can spend a comfortable time in your own way.

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