#Japan #Offsite Construction #Hokuei #Multi-Functional Cottage

Opening Ceremony of Multi-Functional Cottages in Hokuei, Tottori

On July 14, 2026, the Japan Offsite Construction Association (Chairman: Toshinari Nagasaka) hosted the opening ceremony for a new multi-functional cottage at the Michi-no-Eki Houjou station's North area, in collaboration with Hokuei Town, Tottori Prefecture. This facility showcases a pioneering approach to offsite construction, featuring a movable wooden structure designed to meet Tottori's unique energy-efficient housing standards, known as Tottori Health Energy-Saving Housing NE-ST. Its heating performance is rated at UA value of 0.32 and airtightness at C value of 0.4, utilizing locally sourced materials for its interior, exterior, and wood decking.

The cottages will be available starting July 18, 2026, and are aimed at enhancing the camping experience at the Hokujou Auto Camping ground. The dual-purpose facility is engineered not only for regular lodging but also serves critical roles during disaster events.

Versatile Utility in Peace and Crisis

The multi-functional cottage is designed for both everyday enjoyment and emergency preparedness. During normal operations, it provides guests with a chance to experience housing built with NE-ST performance, rich in comfort and sustainability. Furthermore, it enhances tourism while fostering awareness of disaster response among the visiting population.

Specifically, during major disasters, the cottages can transform into:

• - Accessible emergency shelters
• - Temporary housing units
• - Disaster response coordination centers

This approach toward preemptive disaster readiness exemplifies the concept of socially stored inventory, promoting the idea of using these structures regularly to maintain and manage them effectively against unexpected calamities.

Local Collaboration and Technology Transfer

Hokuei Town and the Japan Offsite Construction Association have outlined an agreement for the supply of wooden temporary housing during emergencies, signed in August 2024. This partnership includes a comprehensive regional revitalization agreement aimed at enhancing local disaster resilience.

In this project, the association shared its expertise in design and manufacturing with local businesses, facilitating technology transfer at no cost. This local-centric practice not only encompasses building processes but also bolsters the local economy through sustainable wood usage.

The project was financed with a budget of 150 million yen, utilizing bonds aimed at improving disaster preparedness and mitigation efforts.

Experience Tottori's Energy-Efficient Housing

Visitors can directly experience the high standards of Tottori Health Energy-Saving Housing NE-ST through their stay at the cottages. The facility meets the T-G2 rating, which balances economic feasibility with comfort, exceeding national energy efficiency benchmarks. Guests can enjoy the consistent indoor climate and experience reduced energy consumption for heating and cooling, highlighting the innovative achievement in construction practices.

Decorated with Tottori's locally-sourced materials, guests can appreciate both the quality craftsmanship and the warm ambiance of the interior and decking, aligning with the principles of promoting local resources.

Highlights from the Opening Ceremony

The ceremony gathered significant figures, including Hokuei Mayor Toshiki Tejima, Town Assembly Chairman Eiji Maeda, Vice Mayor Keiji Okamoto, and officials from Tottori Prefecture’s Housing Policy Division. Notable discussions included the social storage concept of mobile architecture and their functionality. Participants also had the opportunity to tour the new facility, interacting directly with the experts behind the innovative design.

Chairman Nagasaka commented, “This innovative cottage provides dual functionality—it enriches the local hospitality sector while also preparing us for potential disasters. It shifts the paradigm from inactive storage of emergency structures to proactive, everyday use, ensuring these buildings are well-maintained and ready at a moment's notice.”

Key Features of the Multi-Functional Cottages

• - Regular use as lodging at Hokujou Auto Camping ground
• - Emergency response capabilities for disaster
• - Mobility as a pivotal characteristic of offsite construction
• - Energy-efficient performance meeting NE-ST T-G2 standards
• - Utilization of locally sourced materials
• - Installed in the disaster-prepared Michi-no-Eki Houjou

Facility Overview

Facility Name: Multi-Functional Cottages in Michi-no-Eki Houjou
Location: 1525-92 Kokuzaka, Hokuei Town, Tottori Prefecture
Operational Start Date: July 18, 2026
Normal Usage: Lodging at Hokujou Auto Camping ground
Emergency Use Cases: Disaster response facilities and temporary housing
Housing Performance: Compliant with Tottori Health Energy-Saving Housing NE-ST T-G2
Wood Usage: Tottori-sourced materials for interior and exteriors.

About the Japan Offsite Construction Association

The Japan Offsite Construction Association focuses on increasing productivity in housing construction through methods that involve prefabricating structures in factories before they are transported and installed on-site. They play a significant role in providing quick-response housing and structural support during disasters, collaborating with local governments to meet community needs.