TOKYO, Feb 19 (News On Japan) - A powerful cold wave brought extreme winter weather to Japan on February 19th, with strong northern winds sweeping through Tokyo and heavy snowfall blanketing the Sea of Japan side. In Odaiba, Tokyo, pedestrians struggled to walk against the fierce winds, some forming single-file lines to shield themselves from the chill.
The harsh conditions were particularly severe in Aomori Prefecture, where snowfall in the heavy snow zone neared 5 meters. At Sukayu Onsen, the snow depth reached 4.99 meters by 6 a.m., coming within 1 centimeter of the 5-meter mark.
Kota Demachi, a staff member at Sukayu Onsen, expressed hope for the snowfall to cross the milestone, calling it a significant event for the area, which is known for its heavy snow.
Meanwhile, in Shirakawa Village, Gifu Prefecture, a popular destination for foreign tourists, a large amount of snow fell from the roof of a souvenir shop during snow-clearing efforts, narrowly avoiding an accident. The weight of the snow was evident, as a shovel used for clearing was broken at its base.
In Aomori City, deep snowfall created an unusual sight—bicycle handlebars and baskets protruded from the snow, leading social media users to humorously describe it as a 'bicycle field' sprouting new growth for spring.
In Hijiori Onsen, Yamagata Prefecture, where snowfall exceeded 3 meters, children played in the snow with bright red cheeks, fully bundled up for the freezing conditions. Asked about the snow, one child simply said, 'It's really strong.'
To capitalize on the heavy snowfall, local inns launched a special 'Doka Yuki Discount' campaign. If 40 centimeters or more of snow falls in a 24-hour period, guests receive a 2,000-yen discount on lodging. If the snowfall surpasses the record high of 4.46 meters, a night's stay worth 10,000 yen becomes free.
Kunihiko Kakizaki, head of the Okura Village Tourism Association, acknowledged the challenges heavy snowfall brings, expressing concern over potential transportation disruptions. 'If the snow falls gradually over 24 hours, that would be ideal, rather than a sudden 40-centimeter accumulation,' he said.
In Sapporo, Hokkaido, the treacherous road conditions led to accidents. A video captured around 8 a.m. showed a black car skidding on a snow-covered road, veering into a snowbank before crashing into a parked bus and overturning. At the time of impact, a passenger was boarding the bus, narrowly avoiding what could have been a major accident.
The person who filmed the scene suggested that the crash was likely caused by a momentary lapse in attention on the slippery roads.
Source: FNN
