LIFULL Donates Instant Houses to Noto Town, Ishikawa for Community Resilience

LIFULL's Donation of Instant Houses to Noto Town

In a remarkable gesture to foster resilience in local communities, LIFULL, a prominent Japanese social enterprise headquartered in Chiyoda, Tokyo, has donated Instant Houses to Noto Town, Ishikawa, utilizing the Corporate Version of the Furusato Tax System on March 23, 2026. This initiative aims not only to serve as emergency evacuation shelters during disasters but also as versatile hubs for tourism and community engagement in everyday scenarios, supporting sustainable urban development for local governments.

Background and Objectives

With the increasing intensity of natural disasters across Japan, local governments are urgently tasked with addressing two significant challenges: enhancing disaster preparedness and promoting regional revitalization within budget constraints. LIFULL has previously supported Noto Town by donating Instant Houses for recovery efforts following a disaster, when these structures served as both lodging for supporters and safe spaces for children. The success of these efforts garnered appreciation, leading to LIFULL's decision to respond to the town's request for a new donation via the Corporate Furusato Tax System.

By installing these Instant Houses at the Yanagida Botanical Park in Noto Town, LIFULL intends to achieve the following objectives:

1. Strengthening Disaster Response Infrastructure: Ensuring rapid availability of living spaces during disasters.
2. Creating a Connected Community: Utilizing the facilities for unique experiences like glamping and teleworking during normal times.

Through its innovative architecture, LIFULL is committed to contributing to community development at every stage, from immediate post-disaster assistance to creating lively environments in daily life, thus helping to accelerate the recovery and revitalization of Noto Town.

What is an Instant House?

The Instant House is a novel structure developed through joint research between LIFULL and the Nagoya Institute of Technology's Graduate School under the guidance of Professor Keisuke Kitagawa. Classified as a "non-architectural structure" since it does not remain permanently fixed to the land (though interpretations may vary by administration), these houses can be installed on various sites with minimal restrictions. The construction employs a straightforward method where an air-filled tent liner is surrounded by hard foam insulation applied from the inside, offering excellent thermal protection, durability, earthquake resistance, and wind resistance.

Manufacturer of the Instant House: LIFULL ArchiTech

Visit LIFULL ArchiTech

Advantages of the Donated Instant House

1. Multi-Phase Utility: The Instant House can serve as a high-quality "evacuation shelter" during disasters and a unique space for "camping or glamping facilities" and "teleworking hubs" in mundane times.

2. Ease of Installation and Mobility: Large foundational work is unnecessary, and installation can be completed in just a few hours, allowing for immediate establishment of "living spaces" in required locations.

3. Contribution to Tourism and Promotion: By introducing visually appealing Instant Houses, LIFULL aids in attracting tourists and enhancing city promotion.

Future Prospects

LIFULL aims to actively collaborate with municipalities seeking to enhance community development and strengthen disaster preparedness not only in affected areas but also across various regions using Instant Houses and similar solutions.

Comments from Key Figures

Noto Town Mayor Yoshinori Yoshida's Statement

The recent donation of mushroom-shaped Instant Houses from LIFULL is sincerely appreciated. In the wake of the Noto Peninsula earthquake in 2024, securing lodging for supporters was a significant issue as the disaster struck in the harsh winter.

The provision of safe, insulated living spaces that can be quickly assembled was immensely valuable.

The Yanagida Botanical Park, where these Instant Houses are being set up, is not only a tourist park featuring large playground equipment, a planetarium, and cottage accommodations in normal times but also served as a base camp for emergency fire assistance teams during the recent disaster. Thus, recognizing the park as a versatile facility with both tourism and emergency capabilities is crucial.

LIFULL's CEO of Regional Revitalization, Yuji Masuda's Remarks

Since the immediate aftermath of the Noto Peninsula earthquake in January 2024, LIFULL has continuously delivered Instant Houses to various locations including the town hall and evacuation centers, providing a refuge for volunteers and children. The overwhelming appreciation for the prompt establishment of secure, insulated living spaces solidified our commitment to optimize these unique structures for ongoing use in the community.

With the installation at Yanagida Botanical Park, we are confident that this initiative creates a new model for "phase-free" utilization, merging disaster preparedness with tourism and community engagement.

At LIFULL, we remain devoted to addressing societal challenges including the vacant housing crisis while collaborating with municipalities nationwide to spur regional revitalization.

About LIFULL

With the corporate message, "Full of every LIFE," LIFULL strives to solve societal challenges ranging from individual concerns to broader societal issues through its various endeavors. Currently, the group operates businesses such as "LIFULL HOME'S" which provides real estate and housing information services, "LIFULL Care" that supports seniors living, and "Kenbiya", an information site for property investment and income assets.