TOKYO - Japan experienced its first major blast of winter weather on October 28th as the strongest cold air mass of the season brought snow to northern regions, powerful winds to Tokyo and western Japan, and some of the lowest temperatures of the autumn, with forecasters warning of another sharp drop in temperatures on the morning of October 29th.
The sudden arrival of wintry conditions saw the first snowfall of the season recorded in several cities across Hokkaido and the northern Tohoku region, while the Japan Meteorological Agency announced that the first cold seasonal winds, known as "kogarashi ichigo," had swept through both the Tokyo and Kinki regions. The winds arrived six days earlier than last year, marking a noticeable shift toward winter less than a week before November.
In Hokkaido, snow fell across Sapporo, Hakodate, Muroran, Obihiro, Kushiro and Abashiri as a strong cold air mass pushed south over northern Japan. Sapporo recorded its first snowfall on October 28th, matching the seasonal average but arriving five days later than last year. In Kushiro, the first snow came 10 days earlier than normal and 14 days earlier than last year.
Temperatures plunged rapidly overnight, with Sapporo falling from 5.7 degrees Celsius at 2 a.m. to 3.2 degrees just 30 minutes later as rain turned to sleet and snow. Strong winds exceeding 20 meters per second whipped snow through the city, creating difficult conditions for pedestrians and motorists.
In the mountainous Sounkyo area of Hokkaido, fierce gusts drove snow across roads, reducing visibility and forcing drivers to slow down. Along parts of the island's coast, conditions were even more severe, with Cape Erimo recording a wind gust of 42.3 meters per second. In Rumoi, a 77-year-old woman was injured after being knocked over by strong winds.
The cold weather extended into Aomori Prefecture, where the city of Aomori recorded its first snowfall in October for the first time in 16 years. The snow arrived 11 days earlier than the seasonal average and 14 days earlier than last year, while large flakes were also reported in Hachinohe.
In the mountainous Sukayu area of Aomori, temperatures dropped to minus 3.8 degrees Celsius, and snow accumulation reached 22 centimeters during the day. The combination of falling snow and icy roads caused several traffic accidents, including a tourist bus leaving the roadway on National Route 103 in the Hakkoda mountain area.
A separate accident in Aomori involved a passenger car believed to have skidded on the road before colliding with a bus, highlighting the dangers of the first substantial snowfall of the season.
The arrival of winter weather was also visible across Japan's mountains, with the first snow cover reported on Mount Iwaki in Aomori, Mount Zao on the border of Miyagi and Yamagata prefectures, Mount Hakusan in central Japan and several other peaks. The snow-covered mountains provided a striking contrast with autumn foliage still approaching its seasonal peak in many areas.
Further south, the cold air brought strong northerly winds to Tokyo and the Kinki region, prompting the Japan Meteorological Agency to declare the season's first "kogarashi ichigo" on October 28th.
In central Tokyo, a maximum instantaneous wind speed of 16.9 meters per second was recorded at 5:20 a.m., while Hikone in Shiga Prefecture registered a gust of 15.2 meters per second shortly after 2 a.m. It was the first time in nine years that Tokyo's first seasonal cold wind had been officially recorded in October.
The strong winds also disrupted railway services in the capital. The JR Keihin-Tohoku Line temporarily suspended operations after a fallen tree obstructed the tracks between Tabata and Kaminakazato stations, while the Keiyo Line experienced a separate interruption caused by an object interfering with overhead electrical equipment. Services subsequently resumed, although delays continued into the morning.
For residents of Tokyo, the abrupt change in weather brought an equally sudden change in clothing and daily routines. One woman in her 30s said she had noticed how unexpectedly cold the wind felt that morning, while a resident in her 60s said she had already taken out an electric heater in preparation for the colder days ahead.
At Kobayashi Laundry in Tokyo, manager Fumiaki Kobayashi said customers were increasingly bringing in winter clothing to be cleaned before wearing it. Jackets, coats and heavier garments were beginning to replace lighter seasonal items as households prepared for winter.
The colder weather also provided a boost for businesses selling traditional winter foods. At Masuei Kamaboko, a fish cake shop in Tokyo's Koto Ward, customers were buying ingredients for oden, the popular Japanese hot-pot dish of fish cakes, daikon radish, boiled eggs and other ingredients simmered in broth.
Shop owner Yukitoshi Nakajima said business typically begins picking up when temperatures fall below 25 degrees Celsius, with the main oden season starting in earnest once temperatures drop below 20 degrees.
One customer in her 40s said she had initially bought oden ingredients as a gift for a friend but returned to the shop later the same day after deciding to prepare the dish for her own family.
The cold spell is expected to bring further low temperatures on October 29th, particularly across eastern and western Japan, where many locations are forecast to experience their coldest morning of the season.
Forecasts issued on October 28th indicated that minimum temperatures could fall to around 10 to 12 degrees Celsius in central Tokyo, 9 to 10 degrees in Nagoya and 10 to 11 degrees in Osaka. Inland areas are expected to become considerably colder, with temperatures approaching freezing in some locations and frost possible in parts of eastern Japan.
In Hokkaido, temperatures are forecast to drop below freezing across much of the interior, raising concerns about icy roads in areas where snow has accumulated. Motorists have been advised to prepare winter tires and exercise particular caution on mountain roads and passes.
Although the strong winter pressure pattern is expected to weaken on October 29th, the improvement will be uneven. Snowfall should ease across Hokkaido during the morning, but rain is expected to return later in the day, potentially accompanied by thunderstorms. The Kanto region is forecast to remain cloudy and chilly, with daytime temperatures in Tokyo reaching only around 16 degrees.
The cold spell is not expected to mark the beginning of uninterrupted winter conditions. Forecasters anticipate a temporary rise in temperatures before another surge of cold air arrives around October 31st and November 1st.
In Sapporo, temperatures could climb to around 17 degrees on October 30th before falling to a high of approximately 8 degrees on November 1st. Tokyo could experience a similar reversal, with temperatures potentially reaching 24 degrees on October 31st before dropping to around 18 degrees the following day.
The sharp fluctuations underscore the unsettled nature of Japan's transition from autumn to winter, with weather patterns expected to change frequently as successive cold fronts and low-pressure systems move across the country.
