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Ways to Support Noto Earthquake Recovery

Support Noto

As many of you have likely heard by now, a magnitude 7.6 struck the Noto Peninsula on the very first day of 2024, causing unprecedented casualties, and damage across the rest of Ishikawa Prefecture.

 

We experienced intense shaking here in Komatsu as well, which resulted in significant damage to some buildings and roads. But that there were no casualties is enough to be grateful for.

 

As we extend our deepest hope that recovery operations in Noto can progress and as little more lives as possible are lost, we have been agonizing over what best we can do to support, as we believe might be the case for many of you too.

 

And so, this post was created to share with everyone the answers we have found so far!

 

Namely,

  1. Donating to disaster victim/recovery effort funds
  2. Patronizing local businesses that have restarted (especially those contributing to recovery efforts)
  3. Actively sharing disaster-support info (after fact-checking!)

As this is still ongoing reflection and research on our part, do check back regularly for updates, and do not hesitate to correct us where you find misinformation!

 

Jump to:

Donations

Many disaster relief funds have sprung up one after another, which is truly heartening.

 

In general, there are two types of funds you can support:

・Funds distributed directly to disaster victims

・Funds supporting rescue and relief efforts

 

Funds by local governments (Ishikawa Prefecture and municipal governments including Komatsu City) fall under the former, while most other funds by NPOs fall under the latter.

 

While there are way more than we can list, we provide here info on local government funds by Ishikawa Prefecture and Komatsu City, plus some NPO funds we can recommend with easy online payment and English info:

 

Ishikawa Prefecture / Komatsu City funds

  • ・These government funds will remain open long-term until the end of the year (27 Dec 2024)
  • ・Donations to the prefecture fund can be made from overseas too!

Association for Aid and Relief, Japan (AAR Japan)

 

Peace Boat Disaster Relief (PBV)

 

ARROWS (Flying Search and Medical Team of Peace Winds Japan) 

 

We also hear that Peatix will be donating one yen per sign-up for any of their events, worldwide!

Local Businesses & Charity Events to Support!

As a tourist, you may have been thinking it may be insensitive to visit Ishikawa now as the locals are struggling.

 

But that could be no further than the truth: our local businesses need your support more than ever!

 

Patronizing businesses that have managed to restart will boost the community’s overall economic stability, meaning the rest of us will be better able to then support the worst-hit areas.

 

In fact many businesses in Komatsu (and across Ishikawa) have been actively finding ways to aid recovery efforts, some even donating their profits. So supporting them means empowering their support in some way or another!

 

And so here is an ongoing list of businesses we know contributing profits to disaster relief, as well as charity events in Komatsu!

(do share if you know of any others!)

 

Nishide Brewery Charity Live

A portion of ticket proceeds will be donated to disaster victims

 

Well-loved local brewery, Nishide Brewery, will be holding a charity live featuring acoustic performances of guitar, piano, and song!

 

A portion of ticket fees (1500 yen), which include a complimentary drink, will be donated to funds for disaster victims.

 

Additionally, a special bento from @shunnohashi_nakamura may also be topped-up for another 1500 yen (limited to 20 portions)

 


Date: 23 Feb 2024 (Fri)

Time: 1PM~ (approx. 40 mins)

Venue: Nishide Brewery (maps)

Cost: 1500 yen 

*incl. complimentary drink

*+1500 yen for bento

 

Simply DM @nishidesake to reserve tickets and bento!

 

HO GA

A portion of profits up until 29 Feb will be donated to the Japanese Red Cross Society’s fund for recovery efforts in Noto.

 

Found by Natadera Temple, HO GA is a unique restaurant where diners can not only choose from a variety of Ishikawa-grown rice, but also the wares on which their meal will be plated, crafted by artisans in Ishikawa and across Japan.

 

 

A standard lunch course comes with rice, soup, a side dish, and a choice of main dish, at around 2,200~ yen.

Seasonal desserts and drinks are also offered.

 

Google Maps

Yukimatsu

For every order of 和 (Wa), a sweet specially created for Noto disaster support, 1000 yen will be donated to the Ishikawa Prefecture government’s disaster relief fund (distributed to disaster victims across Ishikawa).

 

Yukimatsu is Komatsu’s oldest wagashi sweet store, a family business that has been passed down over 7 generations while evolving with the times.

 

This special sweet consists of a roasted rice candy that is one of the family’s treasured recipes, specially flavored with salt and seaweed from Noto.

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by 行松旭松堂 (@yukimatsu_7daime)

It can be ordered from their online shop, and delivered anywhere in Japan.

(*As limited amounts can be produced at a time and demand is high, stock will be made available in batches. Check back frequently if you’re keen to purchase!)

 

You may also check out Yukimatsu’s other products that likewise contribute 1000 yen to the respective recovery efforts:

 

And their monthly DIY wagashi kit started in the middle of COVID times, to enable experience of tea and wagashi culture even from home!

 

Google Maps

Uhashi Shrine

100% of proceeds from sales of the “Ganbaro Goshuin” (1000 yen) will be donated to disaster-hit shrines around Ishikawa.

Uhashi Shrine is one of Komatsu’s most important shrines, notably as one of two hosting shrines of the Otabi Festival.

 

In support of shrines around Ishikawa that have been hit by the earthquake (shrines have been especially vulnerable, many having collapsed walls, gates and stone lanterns etc.), Uhashi Shrine is selling a special “Ganbaro Goshuin” at 1000 yen each, all of which will be donated to impacted shrines around Ishikawa prefecture.

 

For the uninitiated, goshuin are seals uniquely designed by each shrine, stamped with the shrine’s symbol, and with the shrine’s name and date written in ink. Collectors use a goshuin-cho book to collect these seals. (traditionally they have been written directly in the book, but special seals like these are given as a slip that can be pasted yourself).

 

This “Ganbaro Goshuin” comes in a special print of Ishikawa, and a rabbit and dragon symbolizing the transition in zodiac year!

 


Google Maps

 

Disaster Support Info Resources

Support measures for disaster victims, from subsidies for repair works, to onsens providing free entry, and shuttle buses to Noto are progressively being rolled out.

 

We will do our best to provide useful links and info here, so if you know anyone who may benefit from such info do share! (and again, let us know if you have other info to add)

Free Onsen Entry for Disaster Victims

The following onsens in Komatsu City are providing free entry to disaster victims with no access to bathing amenities at their home or shelter:

 

Eligible users should present a document proving their circumstances (e.g disaster victim certificate) upon first visit to one of these onsens, and receive a free bath pass that they can use for subsequent visits.

 

*Full list of participating onsens in Ishikawa here (Japanese page)

Links