<p><span class="strongInContent">The Noto Peninsula earthquake occurred in January. While the scars of the earthquake still linger, some areas are beginning to regain their former beauty thanks to the tireless efforts of the people in the affected areas. This report follows the latest &#8220;summer in Noto&#8221; with photos by photojournalist Junpei Kota, who has been reporting on the disaster.</span></p>
<figure id="attachment_387491" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-387491" style="width: 1477px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><a href="#" data-ident_hash="7cd8fe9a"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/fridaydigital/image/private/t_article_image/wpmedia/2024/08/db6cf9400d3490284100778976ac6b35.jpg" alt=""></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-387491" class="wp-caption-text"> It&#8217;s just like Waikiki Beach! The crystal-clear white sand beach.</figcaption></figure>
<p> Seven months have passed since the Noto Peninsula earthquake struck on New Year&#8217;s Day. Reconstruction of the affected areas, including Wajima, Noto, and Suzu, has not progressed as expected. However, the local townspeople&#8217;s faces were cheerful.</p>
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<p> There is a beach that is crowded with families every summer. It is the Hachigasaki Beach in Notojima, Nanao City, Ishikawa Prefecture. The beach itself is small in scale. The reason why it is so popular is that the high transparency of the seawater and the shallow beach with beautiful white sand is popular among families, who say, &#8220;It&#8217;s like Waikiki Beach! and is popular among families.</p>
<p> In addition to the beach, there is also a rocky area with a variety of underwater creatures, which is a big hit with children. The beach is surrounded by clear blue skies and a peaceful green countryside. This is, in any case, very relaxing.</p>
<figure id="attachment_387473" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-387473" style="width: 1680px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><a href="#" data-ident_hash="00d4924f"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/fridaydigital/image/private/t_article_image/wpmedia/2024/08/8f7490dda4844e6e02a325c4afacd1bb.jpg" alt=""></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-387473" class="wp-caption-text"> The tranquil greenery surrounding the beach. Many repeat visitors from inside and outside of the prefecture.</figcaption></figure>
<p> What is more surprising is that this beach is run by the local town council. Some of them are victims of the disaster themselves and are forced to live in temporary housing, but the local residents are working together to restore the beach as soon as possible.</p>
<p> The beaches have been cleaned of trash and driftwood, and are so beautiful that it is hard to believe that they are in a disaster-stricken area. Many of the townspeople are older than the young. When I think of the effort and time they have put in, my heart goes out to them. The wish that as many people as possible would come to the beaches and enjoy the beach is clearly evident.</p>
<p> As I pulled into a parking lot near the beach, a parking attendant came to collect the 800 yen parking fee. When I rolled down the driver&#8217;s window, the man smiled and said, &#8220;Thank you for coming.</p>
<p><span class="strongInContent"> Thank you very much for coming. I am encouraged by your visit to help with the recovery efforts.</span></p>
<p> Many houses in Noto were severely damaged by the earthquake and tsunami. A &#8220;beach house&#8221; on the Hachigasaki Coast was also wrecked by the 2-meter tsunami. There is no time frame for restoration. Nevertheless, the residents of the town built a &#8220;temporary beach house&#8221; out of tents and resumed selling cup noodles, American dogs, taiyaki (fish-shaped pancakes), and other items.</p>
<figure id="attachment_387492" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-387492" style="width: 1477px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><a href="#" data-ident_hash="7ab323b9"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/fridaydigital/image/private/t_article_image/wpmedia/2024/08/cb1104ac078ac0c6c6aa5b1a37983200.jpg" alt=""></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-387492" class="wp-caption-text"> Temporary beach house&#8221; made out of tents</figcaption></figure>
<figure id="attachment_387493" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-387493" style="width: 1477px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><a href="#" data-ident_hash="d32706fd"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/fridaydigital/image/private/t_article_image/wpmedia/2024/08/753233b8235d4198ee17fe14c064aba0.jpg" alt=""></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-387493" class="wp-caption-text"> An elementary school boy came to buy a hot dog *This photo was taken with permission of the boy and his family.</figcaption></figure>
<p> An elementary school boy came to the store and bought an American dog. A woman at the kiosk greeted the boy with a big smile and offered him a piece of notepaper, saying <span class="strongInContent">, &#8220;I would be happy if you could write a message of support to my aunties, whatever it is</span>.</p>
<p> The boy did not write anything on the notepaper, but said in a loud voice, and ran shyly to his family.</p>
<p><span class="strongInContent"> I like the ocean here so much, I&#8217;ll come back!&#8221;</span></p>
<p> Inside the tent, the woman at the concession stand was quietly in tears.</p>
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<div data-friday-nextpage-lead=" Beautiful Sea crowded with bathers"></div>
<figure id="attachment_387471" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-387471" style="width: 1477px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><a href="#" data-ident_hash="799c157b"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/fridaydigital/image/private/t_article_image/wpmedia/2024/08/28e1e2fa6589199d7590a915b0b41365.jpg" alt=""></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-387471" class="wp-caption-text">The coastline crowded with families. Adults were also enjoying the crystal clear waters.</figcaption></figure>
<p> In addition to parking lot attendants and kiosk clerks, the town&#8217;s residents are also in charge of keeping the peace and quiet on the beach. On the day I visited, an elderly woman was on watch, and I was overwhelmed by her agility that belies her age.</p>
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<p> She talked with as many beachgoers as possible and repeatedly went into the ocean to collect floating debris and trash. He would remind bathers swimming far out to sea, <span class="strongInContent">&#8220;Depending on the direction of the wind, you could be swept out to sea with your float in no time at all</span>.</p>
<p> It was an extremely hot day, and I felt as if I would suffer heat stroke just sitting still, but the woman was moving around the beach, worrying only about her customers. The sight of her made my heart warm. The sincerity of the Hachigasaki Beach was heartwarming. We bathers were the ones who were encouraged and cheered up. I am not an elementary school student, but I vowed in my heart to return to the beach.</p>
<p> Praying for the earliest possible restoration of the area, we vowed to return.</p>
<figure id="attachment_387496" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-387496" style="width: 1477px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><a href="#" data-ident_hash="7aa9c66f"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/fridaydigital/image/private/t_article_image/wpmedia/2024/08/7e08498ecdab76ef212baddd9b7674d3-1.jpg" alt=""></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-387496" class="wp-caption-text"> The boys repeatedly went back into the sea, heeding the voices of their family members behind their backs, &#8220;It&#8217;s time to go home.</figcaption></figure>
<figure id="attachment_387497" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-387497" style="width: 1477px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><a href="#" data-ident_hash="ee428c8c"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/fridaydigital/image/private/t_article_image/wpmedia/2024/08/2e29dad5dff319728e9475972d1d02ad.jpg" alt=""></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-387497" class="wp-caption-text"> Tilted utility poles. The scars of the earthquake are still everywhere.</figcaption></figure>
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 Junpei Kota

 On New Year's Day, a massive earthquake hit the Noto Peninsula. Seven months have passed since then, and Noto's beaches, which are popular for their clear, shallow white sand beaches reminiscent of Hawaii's Waikiki Beach, are bustling with activity thanks to the efforts of the local residents.

It&#8217;s like Waikiki! Seven months after the earthquake&#8230; Summer in Noto was revived by the whole town with &#8220;clear blue sky and white beach&#8221; superb view photos.

It’s like Waikiki! Seven months after the earthquake… Summer in Noto was revived by the whole town with “clear blue sky and white beach” superb view photos.

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