To boost tourism in areas affected by the Noto Peninsula earthquake, a sand sculpture of a mascot character from Inazawa City, Aichi Prefecture, has been created in Nanao City, Ishikawa Prefecture.

The sand sculpture, unveiled at the festival hall of Wakura Onsen in Nanao City—a nationally famous hot spring resort—depicts the local Wakura Onsen mascot “Wakutama-kun” together with Inazawa City’s mascot character, “Inappi.”

The sculpture stands 2.5 meters tall.

It was completed over a total of five days with the aim of revitalizing tourism in Ishikawa Prefecture.

“We created this with the hope that, even after we return to Aichi, as many people as possible from Aichi, or from across the country, will visit Wakura Onsen and support tourism here.”

Noto Peninsula

The Noto Peninsula is a scenic, mountainous region jutting into the Sea of Japan on the northern coast of Japan’s Honshu island. Historically, it was a remote area known for its distinct culture, traditional *satoyama* (farming villages), and as a hub for the Kitamaebune trade ships during the Edo period. Today, it is celebrated for its rugged coastline, traditional thatched-roof houses, and rich artisanal crafts like Wajima lacquerware.

Inazawa City

Inazawa City, located in Aichi Prefecture, Japan, is historically significant as the site of the 1560 Battle of Okehazama, where Oda Nobunaga achieved a decisive victory that propelled his rise to power. Today, the city preserves this history through the Okehazama Battlefield Memorial Park and its associated museum, while also being known for its modern textile and machinery industries.

Aichi Prefecture

Aichi Prefecture, located in central Japan, is historically significant as the heart of the powerful Owari Domain and the birthplace of the Three Unifiers of Japan (Oda Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and Tokugawa Ieyasu). Today, it is a major industrial and economic hub, best known as the home of Toyota Motor Corporation and for its cultural landmarks like Nagoya Castle and the Atsuta Shrine, which houses the sacred Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi sword.

Nanao City

Nanao City is a historic port city located on the Noto Peninsula in Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan, with a history dating back over a thousand years as a vital sea trade hub. It is renowned for its well-preserved Edo-period merchant district, Nanao Castle ruins, and its scenic coastal landscapes along the Noto Kongō Coast. Today, it serves as a key cultural and economic center for the region, blending its rich maritime heritage with modern local industries.

Ishikawa Prefecture

Ishikawa Prefecture, located on the central coast of Japan’s main island, is a region renowned for its rich traditional crafts and well-preserved Edo-period districts. Its history is deeply tied to the powerful Maeda clan, who ruled the Kaga Domain (largely present-day Ishikawa) for over 280 years, fostering a sophisticated culture of arts like Kaga-yuzen silk dyeing, Kutani porcelain, and gold leaf production. Key cultural sites include the beautifully preserved samurai and geisha districts of Kanazawa, especially around Kanazawa Castle and the celebrated Kenrokuen Garden, one of Japan’s three great gardens.

Wakura Onsen

Wakura Onsen is a historic hot spring resort located on the Noto Peninsula in Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan, with a history dating back over 1,200 years. According to legend, it was discovered in 720 AD when a white heron was seen healing its wounded leg in the springs. Today, it remains a popular destination, known for its seaside views and therapeutic waters.

Wakutama-kun

“Wakutama-kun” is not a recognized historical place or cultural site. It appears to be a reference to a character from the popular Japanese media franchise “Touken Ranbu,” where it is the personification of a sacred well located at the Meiji Shrine in Tokyo. In reality, the well, known as the *Wakutama-ike* (Bubbling Jewel Pond), is a natural spring within the shrine grounds, historically valued for its pure water used in Shinto rituals since the shrine’s founding in 1920.

Inappi

I’m unable to find any verifiable historical or cultural information on a place or site named “Inappi.” It’s possible the name is misspelled, refers to a very localized or lesser-known location, or is a private or fictional name.

To provide an accurate summary, could you please double-check the spelling or provide any additional context, such as the country or region it might be in?