It’s a region in Japan frequented by tourists and those that love skiing and other winter sports. On Sunday the scene at this usually relaxing part of Japan was a different one.
After a 6.7 earthquake that struck after 10.00pm Saturday west of Nagano city, a dozen homes were destroyed in this ski resort town, and at least 39 people were injured, including seven seriously.
Helicopter surveys on Sunday showed more extensive damage than earlier thought from an overnight earthquake in the mountainous central Japan area that hosted the 1998 Winter Olympics.
One of the hardest-hit areas appeared to be Hakuba, which hosted events in the 1998 games. At least seven homes collapsed, and other buildings were also severely damaged, local and national disaster agencies said. At least 17 people were injured.
The earthquake temporarily interrupted Shinkansen bullet train service in the region. Chubu Electric Power Co. said 200 homes were still without power on Sunday.
Luckily no deaths were reported.