Heavy Snow Blankets Northern Japan

Dec 13, 2024 | News On Japan

TOKYO - Season’s strongest cold wave is causing a sharp increase in snowfall, particularly in northern Japan. Heavy snow is expected to continue until December 15th, with potential disruptions to transportation.

As of 10 a.m. on December 13th, blizzard conditions were observed in Sukayu, Aomori, with snow falling heavily enough to turn the landscape completely white.

Due to the winter pressure pattern, heavy snow is occurring along the Sea of Japan coast in Hokkaido and Tohoku, with snowfall increasing rapidly. Sukayu in Aomori recorded 165 centimeters of snow—the highest nationwide—while Iwamizawa in Hokkaido saw 82 centimeters, both approximately double the seasonal average.

The peak of the heavy snow is expected between December 14th and 15th, with potential blizzard conditions along the Sea of Japan coast in Hokkaido and Tohoku. Authorities are urging caution to prevent incidents such as vehicles becoming stranded.

In western Japan, snowfall is expected in mountainous areas, and even in typically snow-free regions like Kyushu, attention is required to avoid transportation disruptions.

Source: FNN

Osaka’s Minami Rebuilt Into Tourist Hub

Osaka’s Minami district, now entering another period of major change with the planned opening of the Naniwasuji Line, the redevelopment of Midosuji and improvements around Nankai Namba Station, has transformed from an area once described as "scary" and "dirty" into one of Japan’s leading tourist destinations.

Crowds Join First Pull of 10-Ton Gion Festival Float

A 10-ton hoko float was pulled through central Kyoto on July 12 in a trial run ahead of the Yamahoko Junko procession during the Gion Festival's early parade.

Young Doctors Flock to Cosmetic Medicine

A growing number of young doctors in Japan are moving directly into cosmetic medicine after obtaining a medical license and completing their initial clinical training, raising concern that the trend may be worsening staff shortages in insurance-covered medical care.

Typhoon No. 9 Travel Disruptions Continue on Some Okinawa Routes

Transport disruption from Typhoon No. 9 (Bavi) continued on July 12, with airlines warning that some flights serving Okinawa’s outlying islands could still face delays, cancellations or conditional operations even after the storm moved away from the prefecture.

JAXA Successfully Lands Reusable Rocket Test Vehicle

JAXA successfully landed a small experimental vehicle for a reusable rocket on July 11, marking a step toward technology that could increase the frequency of space launches while helping reduce costs.

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Travel NEWS

Typhoon No. 9 to Merge With Rainy Season Front

Large Typhoon No. 9 (Bavi) was over central China at 9 p.m. on July 12 and moving north-northwest, with the storm expected to weaken as it continues northwest before turning into an extratropical cyclone that will merge with the rainy season front and bring rain mainly to areas along the Sea of Japan coast.

Bear Sightings Surge With 50 Cases in Iwate in One Week

A wave of bear sightings across Japan has forced the cancellation of traditional summer events, while one animal entered a home and came within inches of a sleeping resident's face.

Nara's Deer Population Runs Wild

Large numbers of deer are appearing in residential neighborhoods around Nara, raising concerns over traffic accidents, crop damage and the spread of ticks and fleas as the animals move farther beyond Nara Park in search of food.

Hokuriku Shinkansen Osaka Extension Narrowed to Obama-Kyoto and Maibara Routes

Plans to extend the Hokuriku Shinkansen from Tsuruga in Fukui Prefecture to Shin-Osaka have been narrowed from eight proposals to two main options, the Obama-Kyoto route and the Maibara route, as concerns grow over construction costs and the potential impact on Kyoto's groundwater and cultural heritage.