Japan's Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako have visited one of the communities hit hardest by the powerful New Year's Day earthquake. Wajima City is on the Noto Peninsula in Ishikawa Prefecture on the Sea of Japan coast.

The couple arrived at Noto Satoyama Airport before 11 a.m. on Friday aboard a flight from Tokyo's Haneda Airport. They then flew to Wajima City on a Japan Self-Defense Forces helicopter in the afternoon.

This is the second time since the Emperor assumed the throne in 2019 that the couple has visited areas which were recently hit by a natural disaster.

The city suffered serious damage not only from the quake but also a subsequent massive fire.

The fire gutted an area at the center of the city known as Asaichi Street, which was a major tourist destination. One hundred and two people were killed across the city, including those from causes thought to be related to the disaster.

The Imperial couple passed collapsed buildings as they were driven through the city to the site of the fire. They bowed deeply at the site after receiving a briefing from City Mayor Sakaguchi Shigeru.

The Emperor and Empress then visited a nearby public facility where more than 100 quake survivors are taking shelter. They knelt and talked to the survivors.

The couple also met police officers and community firefighters who have been engaged in disaster response efforts, and thanked them for their hard work.

Local residents lined a street to welcome the Emperor and Empress, and waved to them as they passed by. The couple waved back from their vehicle.

A woman with her baby said she felt greatly encouraged by the visit. She added that she hopes that the area will be rebuilt, even if it takes a long time.