Minamata City is offering lodging subsidies and shopping vouchers to attract tourists after a major earthquake damaged regional transport infrastructure [1, 2].
The initiative aims to stabilize a local economy crippled by accessibility issues. Because roads and railways remain unrepaired, visitors cannot easily reach the city, leading to a sharp decline in hotel bookings and local spending.
The earthquake struck on July 28, 2026 [2], recording a maximum seismic intensity of Shindo 7 [2]. The disaster damaged highways and the Shinkansen line, making travel to Kumamoto Prefecture difficult [1, 2].
Local business owners report severe financial losses due to the ongoing disruptions. Yohei Sasagawa, president of Yunoji Onsen, said that approximately 2,000 people have cancelled their reservations since the quake [1]. He said that these cancellations represent a monetary loss of approximately ¥45 million [1].
To combat the slump, Minamata City launched support measures on August 19, 2026 [1]. The city is providing a lodging subsidy of up to ¥10,000 per night [1]. In addition to the nightly payment, the city is offering shopping vouchers to encourage tourists to spend money at local businesses [1, 2].
Despite these financial incentives, the recovery of the tourism sector depends on the restoration of the transport network. Residents and business owners continue to face challenges as the primary arteries for tourists, the highways and rail lines, remain compromised one month after the initial shock [1, 2].
“approximately 2,000 people have cancelled their reservations since the quake”
The situation in Minamata highlights the vulnerability of regional tourism to infrastructure failure. While cash subsidies can lower the cost of a visit, they cannot overcome the physical impossibility of travel. The city's reliance on financial incentives suggests that the timeline for infrastructure repair is longer than expected, forcing local government to pivot toward demand-stimulation to prevent permanent business closures.
