The Meteorological Agency says a developed low pressure system and a strong winter pressure pattern have brought increasingly strong winds mainly to the coastal areas, and heavy snowstorms to parts of Hokkaido.
Snowfalls are intensifying mainly along the Sea of Japan coast. Parts of Niigata and Yamagata prefectures received more than 20 centimeters of snow during a six-hour period up to 6 a.m. on Wednesday.
Powerful winds and snow are expected later in the day, mainly along the Sea of Japan from Hokkaido through Kyushu.
Weather officials are warning of "whiteout" conditions with no visibility in northern Japan. They say blizzards and drifts could be produced.
High waves and rough sea conditions are also expected in the waters near the Hokkaido, Tohoku, and Hokuriku regions.
A strong cold mass of air that is flowing in is expected to cause snowstorms to intensify intermittently through Thursday along the Sea of Japan coast from Hokkaido through Kyushu. Snow may accumulate even in the lowlands in western Japan.
- NHK
TOREIYU TSUBASA runs between Fukushima and Shinjo. (Kuga's Travel)
Kyoto's traditional townhouses (Machiya) are stunning to behold and amazing to stay in overnight. (Abroad in Japan)
Yukimuro Japanese Snow Refrigerators Where is this? Near Ikazuchi Shrine (ONLY in JAPAN)
This time last year, the Saidaiji Kannon-in temple in Japan’s Okayama prefecture was a writhing ball of flesh. (news.com.au)
Visitors in Japan have been enjoying an outdoor sauna tent camp near the Atago River in Hamamatsu, a coastal city on Japan’s main island. (South China Morning Post)
Boeing Co said it recommended suspending the use of 777 jets with the same type of engine that shed debris over Denver at the weekend after #US regulators announced extra inspections and #"Japan suspended their use while considering further action. (FRANCE 24 English)
On the last episode of our 4-day road trip through Central Japan, we take a ropeway, drive along a scenic road and go sake brewery hopping.
(japan-guide.com)
Komadori-Sanso is located on Mt. Mitake which is only one and a half hour train ride from Tokyo. It's a Shrine Lodging of Musashi Mitake Shrine which is run by Shinto Priest Baba-san and his family. (WAO RYU!ONLY in JAPAN)
Take a pilgrimage to Tsu, an Edo period castle town full of historic shrines, temples, architecture and traditions that have endured for generations. (NHK)
Weather officials in Japan are warning that snowstorms will likely batter areas of the country facing the Japan Sea on Wednesday. They are calling on people to be on the alert against possible traffic disruptions.
(NHK)
Miyagi Prefecture continues to rise from the devastation of the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake, with residents and newcomers alike finding new possibilities sprouting up in the north.
(NHK)
Since his relatively late emergence onto the scene, New York-based composer Alexey Shor has rapidly built a popular and appreciative following for his style of composition that, while a product of the 21st century, closely follows in the footsteps of the great composers of the 18th and 19th centuries. (newsonjapan.com)
People on the northern Japanese island of Hokkaido are making the most of the frigid weather by taking part in a fun event on a frozen lake. (euronews.com)
A major expressway in northeastern Japan was damaged by the quake late Saturday.
(NHK)
This week's episode was shot in Japan, and covers Christianity throughout Northeast Asia. ()
This time, I walked in Shinjuku Kabukicho where I believe one of the most dangerous area in Tokyo. ()
It’s barely 6am, yet already some 30 photographers are taking up positions on the No 1 Tadami River Bridge Viewpoint, high above the Tadami River. (South China Morning Post)
In a few months, the Mediterranean island of Malta will be transformed into a global hub of classical music. (newsonjapan.com)
On this overnight trip to Nara Prefecture, we visit Mount Yoshino, a sacred mountain in the middle of the prefecture on the first day. On the second day, we explore Imaicho, a traditional merchant town, midway between Mount Yoshino and the prefectural capital of Nara. (japan-guide.com)
Yakushima is located 60 km off the southernmost tip of Kyushu. (Armadas)