Noto Earthquake Update and Response
Remnants of the Wajima Morning Market
The source: Ministry of Defense website
On January 1st, 2024, at 4:10 pm JST, the Noto Peninsula was rocked by a once-in 3,000 to 4,000-year earthquake. The 7.6 magnitude earthquake was powerful enough to create four square kilometers of new coastline in a matter of seconds and trigger tsunamis up to three meters in height.
As of the time of writing, the earthquake claimed the lives of 213 people, with another 52 currently reported as missing. Rescue efforts have been (and still are) severely hampered by the complete destruction of many roads leading to the peninsula. Heavy rains, snow, and freezing cold temperatures, in combination with over 1,200 (no, that number is not a typo) aftershocks in the following week, many intense, have further hampered rescue efforts.
Kanazawa, Ishikawa is Kizuna’s home, and we consider the area and people of Noto our family. The Noto area is home to stunning natural beauty, rugged coastlines, and beautiful, hard-working people of all trades. It is home to some of Japan’s most incredible sake, stunningly beautiful lacquerware, robust, down-to-earth pottery, and amazingly delicious seafood and produce.
However, many of these trades now face an uncertain future. Much of the cities of Wajima and Suzu were destroyed by the shaking, fires, and tsunamis that the earthquake caused. Rebuilding will take years, at a minimum.
It is too early for civilians to aid in the recovery of the area as rescue missions are still underway. However, once the infrastructure is repaired and restrictions lifted, Kizuna is committed to doing our part in aiding in the recovery of our “family” in Noto.
Search and rescue efforts on the Noto Peninsula
The source: Ministry of Defense website
Our action plan is as follows:
1) Starting immediately with all new inquiries, there will be an OPT-OUT per person traveler contribution of USD 50 to various organizations in Noto. These are organizations that will have been thoroughly vetted by our team, but will include direct contributions to artists, locals, and organizations providing relief for locals. The initial period of this program will be through the entirety of 2024 and will be re-evaluated at the end of the year.
*Please note that a contribution of USD 50 per person will be included as part of the travel package, which you can choose to opt out of. We encourage your support, as these contributions play a vital role in the recovery and rejuvenation of the Noto area. Every donation makes a significant difference to the lives of those affected by the disaster.
2) Kizuna will match 100% of our travelers’ contributions (USD 50), bringing the total impact each traveler makes to USD 100.
3) As soon as travel is advisable in the Noto area, Kizuna will be going up to assist with further clean-up and support work, as needed. This will include bringing food donations such as rice and dried food goods. These efforts will be in ADDITION to any monetary contributions made.
4) Kizuna will work with our connections at Ishikawa Prefecture governmental offices to help design and execute tourism development activities for the Noto area to further aid in the recovery of the area through the promotion of activities with other DMCs, direct guests, and online platforms.
5) As a final step, Kizuna will work directly with artists and various suppliers in the Noto area, actively promoting them in our itineraries.
Local festival on Noto Peninsula, 2023
Image copyright of Bill Michaud
We sincerely thank you for your anticipated support in these challenging times. We encourage you and your organization to consider additional ways to support the Noto Peninsula. Whether it’s through spreading awareness, organizing fundraising events, or offering special travel packages that include visits to Noto once it’s safe, every action counts. We welcome your ideas and are eager to collaborate on any initiatives that can further aid the people of Noto. Together, we can play a pivotal role in not just restoring but also enriching this vibrant and resilient community. We look forward to any additional conversation and aid you might consider.