Observatory in Suzu City
An observatory in Suzu City, Ishikawa Prefecture, is preparing to open for the first time since the Noto Peninsula earthquake on New Year's Day. Though the observatory survived the quake undamaged, the city was devastated and the observatory manager, Tone Shuichi, decided to keep the facility closed.
But Tone says that construction workers and volunteers have recently been stopping by the observatory to take a break and enjoy the view of the Sea of Japan from the Cape Suzu.
So Tone and his team have been cleaning the observatory and restocking the gift shop to prepare for its reopening on April 27, the start of the spring holiday.
Tone says he wants people to see the beauty of Noto and not just think of the earthquake and the damage it did.
Sightseeing boats in Shika Town
Elsewhere on the peninsula, preparations are underway for the return of sightseeing boats at Noto Kongo in time for the spring holidays. The boats have been out of action since the earthquake.
Noto Kongo is a scenic coastal spot with a series of steep rocky cliffs. The sightseeing boats usually start operating in March each year, but a tsunami triggered by the quake damaged two of the three boats and forced the owners to delay the start of the season.
The operators say the third, undamaged boat will begin making trips in time for the spring holiday, and workers are now repainting the boats to prepare for the first guests.
Kidani Shigeyuki, the Noto Kongo Pleasure Boat operator, says the seabed in the area is estimated to have risen 20 centimeters due to the earthquake, but it is deep enough for the boats to operate.
Kidani says, "We would be happy if the people who return to their hometowns for the spring holiday also board the boat and find peace of mind."
But a popular cave, Ganmon, in Noto Kongo has been closed due to falling rocks caused by the earthquake, and the prefectural government said there is no prospect of reopening it.