Sawara Historic District: Steps toward Recovery from the Great East Japan Earthquake

Sawara was included on the 2012 World Monuments Watch among the heritage sites damaged by the Great East Japan Earthquake to help raise international attention and funds to repair these sites because local resources were greatly depleted by the disaster. With funding from American Express, WMF supported the restoration of seven of the most historic machiya in Sawara, returning these buildings to their original use. Sawara’s efforts helped encourage other local restoration projects, and allowed its famed matsuri festivals to continue uninterrupted.