Seismic Intensity 7 Quake Hits Kumamoto, Topples Cultural Sites, Cuts Tourism

The earthquake that struck Kumamoto Prefecture with a maximum seismic intensity of 7 has caused severe damage to cultural properties and tourist sites, centred on the southern part of the prefecture. Damage in the north has been relatively light, but visitor numbers have fallen sharply, and the entire prefecture has felt the impact. Tourism activity overall has sunk into a slump during what should be the peak summer season.

In Yatsushiro City, at the nationally designated scenic garden Shohoken, the Noh stage of the main building, built in 1688, and the tea room Rinrokuan collapsed in the quake. The garden, celebrated for its association with essayist Hyakken Uchida, had been drawing visitors in May and June before the quake to view the Higo iris, the prefectural flower. In Uki City, the nationally registered tangible cultural property, the former Iwasaki family residence, sustained damage including cracks in interior walls and has been closed indefinitely. In Hikawa Town, the large torii gate at Miyahara Sanshingū Shrine collapsed; the shrine had been damaged and repaired following the earthquake a decade ago, but has now been hit again, with no progress on reconstruction plans.

Passenger numbers on JR Kyushu's sightseeing limited express train Aso Boy have fallen sharply at Aso Station. On the 4th of this month, only 12 passengers alighted at the station around 11 a. m. , roughly one-tenth of the usual figure. The Aso area was severely damaged in the earthquake a decade ago, including the collapse of the tower gate at Aso Shrine, and local tourism operators say it is difficult to promote normal operations, while municipal officials also stress the need for caution. Kumamoto Prefecture's promotional mascot Kumamon has decided to suspend its activities following the quake, with the prefecture saying that recovery efforts will take priority for now.