Travel to Noto Peninsula possible right now?

Hi everyone, a friend and I will be traveling to Japan in early May and would like to visit the Noto Peninsula, but since this area was affected by the earthquake, we were wondering if this was possible. Maybe some attractions are closed, some roads are closed, or some cities/towns are not in the position to/do not want to receive tourists at all. We were planning to arrive at Noto Airport, go to Noto town, spend the night there, and then make our way down all the way to Nanao.

If anyone has info on whether this is possible or will be possible in May is greatly appreciated!

As of now, the area around Wakura Onsen and the entire peninsula north of Wakura is still not ready for tourism. Most lodgings are either closed or used by evacuees. I understand that Wakura Onsen is nearing a point when some lodgings may reopen to regular tourists over the next few months.

A friend of me cycled there from Kanazawa and back (she didnt sleep in Noto peninsula) and the pictures she sent did show still a lot of destruction, closed roads, closed shops. So no, I don�ft think it is good timing now. Maybe you can rent a car from Kanazawa and just see how far you can get, but it might be better to visit some other remote Japanese region. In that general area Sadogashima would come to mind (as an example)

Interesting. Just saw pictures of the railway reopenning and a celebration happening.

Article suggested Noto was reoppenning for tourists. And was a promo to attract new tourists.

When I was in Kanazawa last week there were still train disruptions and I have seen reports of the continuing temporary accommodations and evacuation shelters, but it is a lot less than a few months ago. As for visiting the area, if your planned accommodation is open and receiving visitors then that should be ok, but be aware the area is still recovering.
I did also note the Kanazawa Castle Park has damage (collapsed walls) and some off-limit areas in central Kanazawa. I imagine Noto area still significant damage as Kanazawa city is quite distant from the epicenter.

Any updates on the current situation?

Not much has changed in the past two months. Many hotels on the peninsula are still closed. Many still lack access to hot spring water due to broken pipes, which prevents especially the hotels around Wakura from reopening. Others need to be rebuilt.

Plus there was a level 6 earthquake again a few days ago. I don�ft think it destroyed anything majorly.

https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2024/06/66046c91a54d-urgent-m59-ear...

Dear community, I'm using this thread as it basically covers the questions I have only for an updated time-frame.

Noto has been on my bucket-list for some years now but due to the circumstances (corona and earthquake) was pushed back.
A new opportunity for traveling the area with a rental car for some days (which had been the original plan ever since) would be possible for us in fall 2025.
I am unsure however, if this would be too early regarding the situation on the peninsular. Improvements obviously aren't going on as fast as one is used to from Japan.
Also I don't want to appear as a disaster-tourist and my concern is whether a visit could help or even disturb the recovering process there.
I know with one year to go this is still a lot of guesswork, but maybe someone here has more insight into or helpful thoughts on this matter.

I'm in the process of booking flights and have other options which is why I'm addressing this topic this early.

Regards
Jan

I met school kids in Hiroshima that were visit from the Noto area. They said they'd welcome visitors.

There are now a few hotels open that actively look for tourists, and the situation is not anymore so that you would hinder recovery work on most areas. I feel that considerate tourists are generally welcome again.

But on the other hand a large number of lodgings is still closed to tourists, because of damage and slow repair works or because the lodgings are still used by workers, staff and volunteers. In Wakura, for example, only 3 out of around 21 have reopened so far. This snail paced recovery is adding lots of damage to the region and can be mainly explained by a severe shortage of workers and drivers that is crushing the economy nationwide and is particularly painful on the Noto Peninsula.

Thanks H and Uji for your thoughts and insight.

It really is a hard decision, but my gut tells me to push it back a year or two more.
Especially when having to commit now with such an unsure prospective.

I revisited the Noto Peninsula in August and wanted to support them but also did not want to be seen as a 'disaster tourist' person.

I basically drove up the west coast, visited Nanao and the went south along the east coast.

At the southern edge of the peninsula things are generally find and it's hard to tell that there was a big earthquake not so long ago. Once you get around half way up then you start to notice damage on the roads (especially the smaller roads).

Personally, I would not visit Wajima or the top of the peninsula yet but I did find people in Nanao were very happy for the business. Do note that there is A LOT of damage in Nanao but in general it is safe and you can get stuff to eat and the onsen has reopened. As such - I do think it's ok to visit but I do think that day tripping with a car is probably best at the moment.

Thanks mfedley for your first-hand report.

As we'd have to go to Ishikawa especially to travel Noto, a day-trip wouldn't really make sense for us.
I see however that this is a good approach to support the region while not being too much of an intruder.
I originally planned it as a quiet multiple-day trip and want it to stay this way so I more and more tend to push it back another year....