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The earthquake on New Year's Day has shattered hopes of tourism recovery in Wajima, a captivating destination in Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan.
Chef Makoto Wakabayashi is among those in Wajima, one of the most heavily impacted cities in Japan due to the earthquake, who hopes that 2024 will be "a great year for tourism recovery" as travelers begin to return. But that dream was shattered in the minutes of violent tremors on New Year's Day when the strongest earthquake to hit Japan in 13 years, along with numerous aftershocks, devastated the city, claiming dozens of lives. Among the most severely damaged buildings is the 9-story Koshuen hotel, where Wakabayashi works.
The total human and property damage in the area from the strongest earthquake measured at 7.6 magnitude has yet to be tallied. But it is clear that Wajima, known for its fishing, lacquerware, and marketplaces, faces a long road to recovery.
View attachment 1280
A man walks along Asaichi-dori street, which was scorched by a fire following the earthquake, in Wajima, Japan. Photo: Reuters
Wakabayashi said the tourism industry had just recovered from the Covid-19 crisis. He worries that the earthquake could deliver a significant blow. "It's really bad," said the 62-year-old chef while sitting crowded in a three-story building that serves as a post-earthquake evacuation center. Here, many people sleep on plastic sheets or tatami mats.
Nearby is the Koshuen hotel, one of the largest accommodation centers in the city with hot springs overlooking the sea. The top floors sustained the most damage, with peeling walls and collapsed ceilings. Wakabayashi stated it would take 6 months to a year to renovate everything.
Tourism was a bright spot in Japan's economy in 2023 as the country opened its doors to visitors. The number of visitors by October last year surpassed levels compared to the same period in 2019 for the first time.
Wajima, located about 450 km northwest of Tokyo, has always been a popular destination for domestic tourists. A 15-minute walk from Koshuen near the evacuation center leads to Asaichi, a 1,000-year-old shopping area with around 200 stalls selling seafood, snacks, and handicrafts. Most of the market area was devastated after the fire caused by the earthquake.
"The Asaichi morning market in Wajima is one of Japan's top three markets," Wakabayashi said. The fire nearly destroyed all the goods and houses of those living there just as the crab harvest season approached.
The male chef stated that "he is luckier than many residents in the city who have lost their homes" as he stays in an apartment provided by the hotel. Nevertheless, Wakabayashi still struggles as he faced salary cuts during the pandemic and now has a precarious job due to the disaster.
"Visitors will definitely return, but the hotel needs expensive repairs. I'm not sure if the hotel will be able to retain its staff," Wakabayashi said.
Source: https://vnexpress.net/thanh-pho-du-lich-nhat-vo-mong-khoi-sac-vi-dong-dat-4698205.html
Chef Makoto Wakabayashi is among those in Wajima, one of the most heavily impacted cities in Japan due to the earthquake, who hopes that 2024 will be "a great year for tourism recovery" as travelers begin to return. But that dream was shattered in the minutes of violent tremors on New Year's Day when the strongest earthquake to hit Japan in 13 years, along with numerous aftershocks, devastated the city, claiming dozens of lives. Among the most severely damaged buildings is the 9-story Koshuen hotel, where Wakabayashi works.
The total human and property damage in the area from the strongest earthquake measured at 7.6 magnitude has yet to be tallied. But it is clear that Wajima, known for its fishing, lacquerware, and marketplaces, faces a long road to recovery.
View attachment 1280
A man walks along Asaichi-dori street, which was scorched by a fire following the earthquake, in Wajima, Japan. Photo: Reuters
Wakabayashi said the tourism industry had just recovered from the Covid-19 crisis. He worries that the earthquake could deliver a significant blow. "It's really bad," said the 62-year-old chef while sitting crowded in a three-story building that serves as a post-earthquake evacuation center. Here, many people sleep on plastic sheets or tatami mats.
Nearby is the Koshuen hotel, one of the largest accommodation centers in the city with hot springs overlooking the sea. The top floors sustained the most damage, with peeling walls and collapsed ceilings. Wakabayashi stated it would take 6 months to a year to renovate everything.
Tourism was a bright spot in Japan's economy in 2023 as the country opened its doors to visitors. The number of visitors by October last year surpassed levels compared to the same period in 2019 for the first time.
Wajima, located about 450 km northwest of Tokyo, has always been a popular destination for domestic tourists. A 15-minute walk from Koshuen near the evacuation center leads to Asaichi, a 1,000-year-old shopping area with around 200 stalls selling seafood, snacks, and handicrafts. Most of the market area was devastated after the fire caused by the earthquake.
"The Asaichi morning market in Wajima is one of Japan's top three markets," Wakabayashi said. The fire nearly destroyed all the goods and houses of those living there just as the crab harvest season approached.
The male chef stated that "he is luckier than many residents in the city who have lost their homes" as he stays in an apartment provided by the hotel. Nevertheless, Wakabayashi still struggles as he faced salary cuts during the pandemic and now has a precarious job due to the disaster.
"Visitors will definitely return, but the hotel needs expensive repairs. I'm not sure if the hotel will be able to retain its staff," Wakabayashi said.
Source: https://vnexpress.net/thanh-pho-du-lich-nhat-vo-mong-khoi-sac-vi-dong-dat-4698205.html
