Heavy Snowfall Grips Northern Japan, Stranding Thousands and Disrupting Transport

Record Snowfall Blankets Northern Regions

Northern Japan continues to grapple with intense heavy snowfall, causing significant disruptions across the region. The city of Sapporo, the capital of Hokkaido, recorded snow depths reaching 111 centimeters (43.7 inches) by Sunday afternoon, marking the first time in four years that accumulation has exceeded one meter. Additionally, Sapporo experienced a record 54 centimeters of snowfall in the 24 hours leading up to 7 p.m. on Sunday, January 25, 2026.

Other areas along the Sea of Japan coast have also been severely affected. Parts of Aomori Prefecture have seen accumulation reach an extraordinary 4.7 meters (15.4 feet). Cities such as Niigata and Yamagata have reported over a meter of snow. Specifically, Uonuma City in Niigata Prefecture recorded 44 centimeters of snowfall in 24 hours as of January 21, and the Sumon district of Uonuma saw 58 centimeters in the 24 hours through 6 p.m. on Friday, January 23. Sukayu, Aomori City, also registered 60 centimeters in a 24-hour period as of January 21.

Widespread Transportation Chaos

The heavy snow has brought transportation networks to a standstill, stranding thousands of travelers. At New Chitose Airport in Hokkaido, approximately 7,000 passengers were forced to spend Sunday night at the facility after 56 flights were canceled and rail links to Sapporo were halted. Hokkaido Railway Co. reported canceling over 500 train services on Sunday, impacting an estimated 130,000 people. Train services in the Sapporo area were expected to resume on Monday afternoon after snow clearing operations.

Road conditions remain hazardous, with several major expressways closed. The Do-O Expressway was shut between Sapporo junction and Sapporo Minami interchange, and the entire section of the Sasson Expressway between Sapporo and Otaru was also closed. Many residential streets in Sapporo are yet to be fully cleared, narrowing lanes and posing risks to pedestrians. Further highway traffic disruptions are anticipated between Nagoya and Osaka, with potential overnight road closures as a precautionary measure.

Casualties and Safety Warnings

The severe weather has tragically led to casualties and numerous injuries. In Niigata Prefecture, a 56-year-old man died on Sunday, January 25, after reportedly falling from his roof while clearing snow. The Fire and Disaster Management Agency reported a total of four snow-related deaths in Niigata Prefecture as of January 24, attributed to sudden illnesses during snow removal work and other causes. In Fukui Prefecture, 15 people sustained injuries from snow removal accidents over the past several days. Additionally, Ishikawa Prefecture recorded 32 vehicle crashes due to slippery roads, resulting in nine injuries.

Authorities are urging residents to exercise extreme caution during snow removal, advising against working alone and recommending the use of appropriate safety gear. The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) has issued warnings for continued heavy snowfall, slippery roads, and the risk of avalanches across the affected regions. On Sunday evening, eight individuals who went missing while snowmobiling in Hirakawa, Aomori Prefecture, were fortunately found safe and uninjured by Monday morning after a search and rescue mission.