Machiya in Sawara

On March 11, 2011, a powerful earthquake struck the northeast coast of Japan, which damaged, destroyed, and threatened centuries of cultural heritage and history that were deeply woven into the everyday life of Sawara and appreciated by the hundreds of thousands of people who visit every year. The 2012 World Monuments Watch listed Sawara among the heritage sites damaged by the earthquake to help raise international attention and funds to repair damaged heritage sites because local resources were greatly depleted by the disaster.  

With funding from American Express, World Monuments Fund worked with the Ono River and Sawara Cityscape Preservation Association to support the restoration of seven of the most historic machiya. Each of the machiya are owned by different families and contain designated historic interiors as well as façades. The successful project, which was completed in 2014, not only helped preserve the cityscape but also contributed to the rejuvenation of community life and culture. Sawara’s famed summer festival is again held annually and most of the historic buildings have been restored. The district is now as vibrant as it was before the earthquake.