Shopping District Destroyed by Japan Noto Earthquake Holds Outdoor Market; Shop Owners, Residents Rejoice

The Yomiuri Shimbun

12:10 JST, February 12, 2024

NANAO, Ishikawa — An outdoor market was held on Sunday in a shopping district in Nanao, Ishikawa Prefecture, which was hit hard by the Noto Peninsula Earthquake.

Shop owners opened the market — Fukko Marche (Reconstruction Market) — after receiving advice from a shopping district in Minami-Sanriku, Miyagi Prefecture, which was affected by the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake. They were told, “It’s better to do some business, even if it’s simple.” The market will be held once a month.

This was the first such market, and 11 stores participated to sell local specialties. Shop owners and residents rejoiced at seeing each other again.

Araki, a traditional crafts shop, sold items such as Wajima lacquerware chopsticks and Kutani ware bowls that were not damaged in the earthquake. Reiko Araki, 62, who works at the store said: “We can’t afford to lose to the earthquake. We want to protect this place where everyone can do business.”