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Ongoing Updated December 28, 2025

2025 Hokkaido Sanriku Earthquake

In the late evening of December 8, a magnitude 7.5 earthquake occurred off the coast of Aomori Prefecture, causing some injuries and moderate damage.

All train lines in the region resumed operation on the day after the earthquake, except the JR Hachinohe Line, which suffered some damage and is currently operating only between Same and Kuji, while substitute buses serve the section between Hachinohe and Same. Service along the entire line is expected to resume on December 30.

2024 Noto Peninsula Earthquake

In the afternoon of January 1, 2024, a strong earthquake caused widespread damage and the loss of many lives on the Noto Peninsula and surroundings.

The northern part of the Noto Peninsula was most affected. Particularly badly hit were the city of Suzu and the city of Wajima, where the earthquake did not only topple many buildings, but also caused a large fire, which destroyed a considerable part of the city center, including the site of the famous local morning market.

The intensity of the earthquake in the nearby cities of Kanazawa, Takaoka, Toyama and Niigata was also strong, but it caused no widespread damage.

Transportation

Service along many train lines in the region resumed within a couple of days of the earthquake, except on the peninsula itself, where the disruptions lasted longer. The last affected railway, the Noto Railway, resumed service along its entire length on April 6.

Tourism

Due to a shortage of manpower, the reconstruction process of the tourism infrastructure on the peninsula has been very slow, especially in the northern part. But also in Wakura Onsen further down the peninsula, over half of the lodgings remain closed due to repair works or reconstruction. Outside the Noto Peninsula, tourism was barely affected. In Kanazawa, most tourist attractions reopened within four days of the quake.

Volcano Closures

No-entry zones are currently maintained at the following prominent volcanoes:

• Sakurajima (Level 3 - do not approach the volcano) Do not climb the mountain. Does not affect transportation and tourism.
• Mount Shinmoedake (Kirishima) (Level 2 - do not approach the crater) No-entry zone 2 km from crater. Closure of hiking trails.
• Kusatsu-Shirane (Level 2 - do not approach the crater) No-entry zones around craters. Closure of road and hiking trails.
• Meakandake (Level 2 - do not approach the crater) No-entry zone around the summit. Closure of hiking trails.

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City: Choose a destinationTokyoFukuokaHakoneHiroshimaHokkaidoSendaiKamakuraKanazawaKansai AirportKobeKyotoMount FujiNagasakiNagoyaNarita AirportNikkoNiigataOkinawaOsakaSapporoTakayamaTokyoYokohama Check-in: Nights: 1 night2 nights3 nights4 nights5 nights6 nights7 nights8 nights9 nights10 nights11 nights12 nights13 nights14 nights With: Booking.comAirbnbtrivagoJAPANiCANAgodaHostel WorldHotelsCombined Search stays

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