| Oct. 27, Niigata – An annual winter event of the quake-hit city of Wajima in Ishikawa Prefecture-Shiroyone Senmaida Rice Terraces Illumination-is here in Ojiya City, Niigata Prefecture this year.
It is a part of the program called Ojiya Hotaru (meaning “Ojiya fireflies” in Japanese) held at an observatory on Mt. Yamamoto in Ojiya, one of the cities that also experienced a large-scale earthquake in 2004. One section of the venue was covered by approximately 15,000 light-emitting diode (LED) lights called Pet Botaru, which were brought from Wajima, recreating the scene of the original rice terrace event in Wajima. The lights change colors every 15 minutes and allure the visitors. An Ojiya City official in charge of the event organization said, “We would like to present this as a ray of hope for a quick recovery.” The annual illumination event in Wajima Shiroyone Senmaida was canceled this year due to the damage from the massive earthquake in January and the heavy rainfall in September. Hiroko Murayama, a 51-year-old visitor from Tokamachi City, Niigata Prefecture, said, “20 years has passed since the 2004 Chuetsu Earthquake. I am hoping for the recovery of the Noto Peninsula, too.” The lights are on for approximately four hours from around 5:30 p.m. The event will continue until November 9.  Illumination was designed to recreate the image of the event in Shiroyone Senmaida, Wajima, Ishikawa Prefecture. It is presented as a ray of hope for early recovery. (Ojiya City, Niigata Prefecture) |