A new winery facility is set to open Saturday in a northeastern Japan district heavily damaged by the March 2011 tsunami, raising hopes that it will help liven up the struggling community.

Moriumius Marine & Food, located in the Ogatsucho district in the city of Ishinomaki in Miyagi Prefecture, is expected to serve as a local hub for food while providing visitors opportunities to engage in activities such as grapevine planting and harvesting.

With the district's population continuing to decline since the disaster, an official said, "We want the winery to become a new engine (for local revitalization)."