Breaking News: Stranded at Narita Airport Due to Heavy Snow — Taiwanese Travelers Create Makeshift Homes with Inflatable Mats

Reported and photographed by You T-Ru / Tokyo

Heavy snowfall in Tokyo led to the closure of Haneda Airport, while Narita Airport was also affected by the snowstorm, causing numerous flight delays and cancellations. Although a large number of passengers were transported out after the snow stopped today (the 10th), some travelers were still unable to go home due to not securing seats on alternate flights. Taiwanese travelers stranded at the airport for over 24 hours set up inflatable mat shelters in the terminal, lamenting, “We can’t take showers; we just have to endure. We feel a bit like homeless people.”


▲ Heavy snow in Tokyo still leaves some travelers stranded at the airport.

Japan was hit by heavy snow the previous day (the 8th), causing transportation paralysis. Not only were many roads across the country closed, forcing people to get stuck en route, but Tokyo’s Haneda Airport was also forced to close, with Narita Airport similarly affected, leading to multiple flight delays and cancellations. Late last night, a large number of passengers were stranded at the airport, which responded to the emergency by deploying inflatable mattresses for passengers to rest on. Although the snow has stopped today, there are still travelers who couldn’t secure alternate flights and have been stranded for over 24 hours.

Reporters on-site at Narita Airport in Tokyo witnessed the situation of stranded travelers. A family of four from Taiwan had been stuck at the airport for over 24 hours. The family set up a sleeping space using inflatable mats in the shopping corridor on the fourth floor of the terminal. The stranded travelers said that the corridor was almost packed with people until last night, and most had been evacuated by today. Though their expressions showed resignation, they still joked, “We’ve been stuck here since yesterday, can’t take showers, just waiting — we’re experiencing life like homeless people.”


▲ Travelers create makeshift private spaces using inflatable mats.