"Phase Free Tour in Koshimizu Town, Hokkaido" held | Experience Phase Free, which combines regional revitalization and disaster prevention

The town of Koshimizu in Hokkaido, aiming to become a leading city in the phase-free initiative, along with NOMURA Co.,Ltd., Ltd., a comprehensive spatial design company and the town's creative partner, and the Future Creation Institute, NOMURA Co.,Ltd. Co., Ltd.'s research and development organization, will be hosting a "Phase-Free Tour." (Supervised and advised by the Phase-Free Association) This tour will allow participants to experience and practically learn about phase-free solutions, which transform disaster preparedness into value. This will be the first time such a tour is held in Koshimizu.

"Phase Free" is a concept that aims to realize a safe and secure society by eliminating the boundary between everyday life and disasters, and by helping to enrich everyday life, which will also lead to solving problems during disasters. This tour is based on the concept of "Traveling through everyday life, being aware of what might happen", and aims to deepen understanding of the concept and usefulness of Phase Free, which is not only useful for disaster prevention, but also has a high level of public interest and public benefit. In addition, while experiencing the attractive local resources such as the nature and food culture of Koshimizu Town, participants will think about the application and development of Phase Free, as well as its future possibilities.

The tour is primarily aimed at local governments and corporations involved in local government operations. Over two days and one night, participants will learn about and experience examples of balancing regional revitalization and disaster countermeasures, including agriculture, food, activities, and a visit to the Phase-Free certified facility and disaster prevention base complex "Watashino" in Koshimizu Town (winner of the Good concept design Award). In addition, there will be lectures by representatives from the Phase-Free Association and local governments and partner companies involved in actual projects, allowing participants to practically learn about the key points of planning and implementation.

​Introducing phase-free measures to public facilities will lead to strengthening local communities facing issues such as population decline and creating a connected population through revitalization. Come and experience for yourself how Koshimizu Town's phase-free initiative, which began with "Watashino," is linked to sustainable town development by combining it with local resources.

Learn and experience phase-free at the "Koshimizu Town Phase-Free Tour"
Main programs (in no particular order)
1. A "harvesting experience" where you can come into contact with local people and industry in a field that also serves as a food storage facility in case of emergency
2. "Bird watching" in the city is useful for understanding the terrain and evacuation routes, and for detecting abnormalities
3. "Outdoor dining" allows you to enjoy the richness of Koshimizu in any situation
4. "Phase-free facility tours" allow you to experience the charm of the region firsthand, leading to deeper learning and discoveries
*The content may be subject to change.
Please also take a look at the Phase Free Tour explanatory video.​

Koshimizu Town Phase Free Tour Implementation Outline
Venue: Disaster prevention base complex "Watashi-no" (2-1-1 Motomachi, Koshimizu-cho), Koshimizu-cho, Hokkaido
Date: Thursday, August 28th, 2025 to Friday, August 29th, 2025 (2 days) / Thursday, September 11th, 2025 to Friday, September 12th, 2025 (2 days)
Application deadline: Thursday, July 31, 2025
Application site: https://n-tabeat.jtb.co.jp/tabeatlottery/InputAcceptLotteryCourse.aspx?tourno=3f2ae551928c485496c349a4
For details on the recruitment requirements, Here Please visit
 

About Koshimizu Town Disaster Prevention Center Complex Government Building "Watashino"
What is Watashino?
Koshimizu Town Disaster Prevention Complex "Watashi-no" will open in April 2023, aiming to create a lively and sustainable town by creating a place for people to stay during both daily life and disasters. Following the blackout caused by the Hokkaido Eastern Iburi Earthquake in 2018, the town was built with the idea that it is more important than ever to create a "disaster-resistant town" where townspeople can live safely and securely.

Incorporating the concept of "phase-free," the town hall is equipped with functions that enrich daily life and bring people together (bustling areas: community space, cafe, laundry, fitness gym & studio). In the event of a disaster, it can function as a disaster response headquarters, food service, laundry, showers, and as a temporary evacuation shelter. It is the first phase-free certified facility in Japan as a multi-purpose facility attached to a town hall.

Strengthening local communities and creating a connected population through revitalization
One year after the opening, the number of facility users (users of the town hall and the bustling area) increased by 25 times compared to the number of users before the opening, and the creation of a face-to-face community is progressing. In January 2025, a disaster prevention drill was held at the multi-functional facility attached to the town hall, which is the first in the country to be phase-free certified. Through the drill, the phase-free function was verified and a culture of mutual assistance was fostered.

*"Phase-free" is the idea that the things and services around us can be made phase-free (societal states) between "everyday life" and "emergency life," making them useful in both everyday life and emergency situations.

Phase-free support for "Watashino"
Phase-free concept
Facilities that are used on a daily basis will serve as temporary evacuation shelters and disaster response headquarters in the event of an emergency. The fitness gym and studio will accommodate evacuees, the community space and cafe will serve food, and the laundry's emergency water and power supply will be used to maintain hygiene by washing clothes. In addition, underfloor heating using hot spring heat will keep you warm in the unlikely event of a power outage. Their usual places will reduce the stress and burden of evacuation life for evacuees, ensuring their safety and security.
 

List of affiliated companies and roles

Organizers: Koshimizu Town, Hokkaido; NPO Groundwork Koshimizu
Operated by: NPO Groundwork Koshimizu
Tour planning and production: NOMURA Co.,Ltd. Co., Ltd.
Supervision and Advisor: Phase-Free Association
Dining supervision: Calorie Co., Ltd.
Implementation cooperation: Koshimizu Town Tourism Association, Renaissance Co., Ltd., OKULAB Co., Ltd.
Travel planning and execution: JTB Corporation