The northern area of Ishikawa prefecture is known as Noto pennisula. Not so many people live there, but the area is rich in caves and fishing. The area is pretty flat compared with the mountaneous areas of Toyama, Gifu, and Fukui, so it has a pretty popular aviation high school. The area is also known for its hot springs and vacation spots.
Within Noto Pennisula is Noto Island, and only two bridges connect it to the mainland. The Notojima Bridge was the first to be built. Construction was completed in 1982. The second bridge is the Noto Twin Bridge built in 1999. It's crazy to think that prior to the 80s, you could only reach the island by ferry even though it looked so close.
The Notojima bridge is over 1 kilometer long extending from the vacation town of Wakura. There are places to park on both sides of the bridge allowing you to take a walk across the bridge, if you'd like.
Unfortunately, a lot of the area has been destroyed from the Noto Earthquake on New Years 2024. In fact, the earthquake damaged the Twin Bridge, so the Notojima Bridge is now the only way to reach Noto Island.
On the north end of the bridge, there used to be many restaurants and souvenir stores. But many of those business closed because of Covid, and the buildings had collapsed and been demolished due to the earthquake.
Now it's just a huge empty lot with a single bus stop that hasn't been used in years.
On the south side of the bridge, some of the park is opened. You can walk up to the water and get a clear view of the bridge. However, much of the park is closed and under active construction to repair the damage from the earthquake.
Even parts of the open area still have scars.
All of the walking trails in the area have been closed, too. Many of the trails led hikers along the cliffs overlooking the bridge and the bay. However, all these cliffs have collapsed into the sea. Sharp cliffs that seemed to cut into the sky from the sea have now been reduced to a pile of rocks.
I have felt several earthquakes since moving to Japan, but I have never experienced anything above a 2.0 magnitude. The Noto Earthquake was a 5.0, and up in Takayama, we felt it as a 3.0. I was flying back to Japan at that time, so I didn't feel anything. But, when I returned to my apartment, there were several things knocked on the floor. A pale comparison to the collapsed buildings of Noto. It's terrifying how much damage can be caused by a 5.0, and then think about quakes even stronger.
It's a weird feeling being able to visit the Noto Bridge on such a beautiful day, but then look deeper and see the remaining damage and remnants of a carefree time.
