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A powerful earthquake devastates northeastern Japan; latest updates on tourist spots

Published: 2026-09-24 👁 100 views

Last updated 2026-09-24 — By Chi Bing-hui / Compiled report 3/9 An 8.9-magnitude earthquake struck Miyagi, Japan, causing severe damage. In addition to thanking aid from countries and Taiwan, Japanese authorities are fully engaged in emergency repairs and recovery efforts. After contacting businesses across the Tohoku region...

By Chi Bing-hui / Compiled report

3/9 An 8.9-magnitude earthquake struck Miyagi, Japan, causing severe damage. In addition to thanking aid from countries and Taiwan, Japanese authorities are fully engaged in emergency repairs and recovery efforts. After contacting businesses across the Tohoku region, the latest information has been gathered and the current status of various tourist areas has been officially announced. The more severely affected situations are as follows; other attractions are largely operating normally or currently have no available information.

Miyagi Prefecture – Matsushima

Aomori Prefecture : The Pacific coastal area of “Hachinohe” suffered severe damage, but “Aomori 0? area (likely Aomori City or similar) remains relatively unaffected, with normal operations. Trains between Aomori and Hirosaki are running normally, and the airport is operational.

Miyagi Prefecture : Part of Sendai’s buildings have collapsed, station platform canopies have fallen, the Tōhoku Expressway is reserved for emergency vehicles only—general traffic is not permitted. Sendai Airport remains closed, and major hotels are closed.

Iwate Prefecture : The coastal areas have sustained severe damage; inland areas such as Morioka remain relatively unaffected, though some parts have experienced minor damage. Temporary flights began being accepted from the evening of the 6th, and regular flights will resume from the 17th. Hotels are either closed or being used as temporary shelters.

Iwate, Fukushima, and Yamagata Prefectures Some hotels are closed.

Tōhoku Shinkansen, Yamagata Shinkansen, Akita Shinkansen Due to severe damage to station facilities and tracks, the resumption date is still undetermined. Services on the Joetsu Shinkansen and Hokuriku Shinkansen have been reduced, while the Kyushu Shinkansen remains operational. For the latest updates from East Japan Railway, please refer to http://traininfo.jreast.co.jp/train_info/shinkansen.aspx

II、 Hokkaido Region

Hokkaido : The coastal areas have seen more damage, but there is no significant structural damage. Tourist areas north of the Pacific are unaffected and operating normally. JR services connecting Sapporo and Honshu have been suspended.

III、 Kanto and Chubu Regions

Gifu Prefecture : Sightseeing facilities and flights are operating normally; Tateyama Kurobe and Kurobe Gorge Have not been affected, and will open for the season on 4/16 and 4/18 respectively.