Strong winds and heavy snow wreak havoc in Japan   7 prefectures and multiple districts become isolated, Hokkaido next to suffer

▲ Heavy snow wreaks havoc in Japan. In Karuizawa, a summer resort in Nagano Prefecture, tourist buses have also been buried in the snow and are unable to move due to the blizzard. (Photo / Screenshot from Youtube)

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

The Kanto region was hit by another heavy snowfall last weekend, with at least seven prefectures and 3,600 areas experiencing blocked external access, turning into virtual “islands.” And now, Hokkaido, which already faces low temperatures in winter, may be next in line for trouble. Japan’s Meteorological Agency predicts that the low-pressure system will continue moving northward, and forecasts that from the evening of the 17th, Hokkaido will not only be battered by strong winds but also hit by heavy snowfall, urging residents to stay vigilant.

The low-pressure system continues to exert its influence across Japan. After wreaking havoc in the Kanto and Tohoku regions, this low pressure, bringing strong winds and heavy snow, is now setting its sights on Hokkaido. According to Japanese media reports, as of 6 a.m. on the 17th, maximum instantaneous wind speeds exceeding 27 meters per second had been recorded in multiple areas. Meanwhile, until the morning of the 18th, snow accumulation in many parts of Hokkaido is expected to exceed 30 centimeters. Areas along the Sea of Japan and the eastern part of the Pacific side may see accumulations as high as 40 centimeters, while the Okhotsk Sea side could reach up to 50 centimeters. Travelers in Japan should remain cautious of falling snow and avalanches caused by heavy snow and strong winds.

▲ Traffic routes in the Fujikawaguchiko area of Yamanashi Prefecture have also been blocked by heavy snow. (Photo / Screenshot from Youtube)

Last weekend (the 14th and 15th), affected by the heavy snow, multiple areas in the capital region and Tohoku reported disasters. Around seven prefectures including Tokyo, Yamanashi, Shizuoka, and Nagano saw a total of 3,600 areas turned into “islands” by the snow. Trains operating in Yamanashi Prefecture were also severely hindered by the snow, leaving approximately 900 passengers stranded inside train cars. In the summer resort of Karuizawa, heavy snow caused many tour buses to be buried in the snow, requiring rescue workers to clear the snow before they could leave. Meanwhile, four prefectures—Saitama, Gunma, Tochigi, and Yamanashi—also experienced power outages affecting 5,200 households as of noon on the 17th. Currently, multiple roads in the Kanto region remain closed, and efforts to restore traffic are ongoing.