乃村工藝社が企画・プロデュースした小清水町フェーズフリーツアーが「PHASE FREE AWARD 2026」オーディエンス賞受賞

It was praised as "an initiative that encourages a change in participants' awareness, contributes to sustainable community development by rediscovering the region's appeal and expanding the number of people involved with the area."

北海道小清水町とNPO 法人グラウンドワークこしみず、乃村工藝社そして乃村工藝社の研究開発組織・未来創造研究所が公民連携で実施した「フェーズフリーツアー2026」が「PHASE FREE AWARD 2026」（主催：一般社団法人フェーズフリー協会）のオーディエンス賞※を受賞しました。

This tour, based on the concept of "Traveling through the ordinary, becoming aware of the unexpected," will deepen your understanding of the principles and usefulness of phase-free technology, which has high public and social value, as well as disaster prevention. Participants will also visit phase-free certified facilities in the town, "Watashino" and "Nijiiro Certified Children's Center," attend seminars, and experience the attractive resources of Koshimizu Town while considering the applications, development, and possibilities of phase-free technology. (This tour is also phase-free certified.)

This award recognized the opportunity to experience local resources and innovative initiatives, as well as its broad appeal to a wide range of participants, including developers, local governments, and private companies, allowing them to learn perspectives applicable to community development and business. Furthermore, it was highly praised as an initiative that leads to improved quality of life and a shift in awareness in both normal and emergency situations, by providing practical learning of useful ways of thinking and actions in times of emergency, and fostering the ability to make independent judgments and take action. It is also hoped that this will serve as a model for widely disseminating the concept of phase-free development to society through expansion to other regions.

Introducing phase-free measures to essential infrastructure such as public facilities, public transportation, commercial facilities, workplaces, and educational institutions will strengthen local communities facing challenges such as population decline and create a network of people connected to the area through revitalization. Following this award, we will continue to work in collaboration with the local government, community, and businesses to further develop phase-free initiatives in Koshimizu Town and promote activities that will allow more people to experience its value.

*The "Audience Award (PHASEFREE AWARD Audience)" was selected from among the nominated entries based on online voting by the general public.
 

Points of Phase-Free Tours

The program includes visits to phase-free certified facilities in Koshimizu Town, a seminar by Mr. Sato, the representative director of the Phase-Free Association, and workshops and discussions among participants. Through these hands-on programs, participants will deepen their understanding of the phase-free philosophy and its usefulness, which is not only disaster prevention but also highly public and beneficial. They will also learn perspectives and ways of thinking that enrich everyday life and support what to do in case of an emergency. Participants will also be provided with the "Koshimizu Town Phase-Free Tour Guidebook" to further enhance their understanding.
Please also check out our explanatory video about the Phase-Free Tour.

Phase-Free Awards Summary *Excerpts from the organizer's evaluation. Please see the official website for details.

While typical inspection tours tend to offer only fleeting learning experiences, this tour is unique in that it allows participants to learn about the phase-free approach experientially while engaging with local life and businesses.
The program's structure, which fosters a perspective for supporting oneself and one's community even in times of emergency through enriching everyday experiences, is an excellent mechanism for promoting a shift in participants' awareness. Furthermore, its ability to rediscover the charm of the region, expand the number of people connected to it, and foster collaboration with government policies contributes to sustainable community development.
Through expansion to other regions, it is expected to become a model for widely disseminating the concept of phase-free technology to society.

What is a Phase-Free Award?

"Phase-free" refers to the idea of making everyday objects and services free from the "normal" and "emergency" phases (social states), allowing them to be useful not only in normal times but also in emergencies. This award is given to projects that are recognized as having high phase-free characteristics in order to realize a society where damage from disasters is less likely and people can live safely and prosperously.
https://aw.phasefree.net/

Phase-Free Tour Partner Companies: List of 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: Creo Travel Co., Ltd.