3,000 people can't go home as heavy snow paralyzes Hokkaido airport with 41 cm of snow accumulation

▲Since the 22nd, heavy snow has paralyzed New Chitose Airport in Hokkaido. (Photo / Provided by a reader)

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

Hokkaido has been affected by a blizzard since the 22nd, with heavy snow blanketing New Chitose Airport, leading to the cancellation of 200 flights and forcing 3,000 passengers to sleep at the airport. On the 23rd, the blizzard continued to impact the region, resulting in over 224 flight cancellations, causing long queues of people waiting to get home at the departure check-in counters.

▲Over 200 flights canceled, many passengers forced to sleep at the airport. (Photo / Provided by a reader)

According to live camera footage from New Chitose Airport, the snow accumulation reached 41 cm at 5 PM local time on the 23rd, with many flights already announced as canceled. The heavy snow also impacted road traffic in Hokkaido, with about 195 train services operated by JR Hokkaido to destinations such as Sapporo, Wakkanai, and Abashiri also being canceled.

The Sapporo Regional Meteorological Observatory also reported that by 10 AM on the 23rd, the snowfall in Sapporo had reached 75 cm, three times the average for this time of year, and that blizzard conditions would continue until the evening of the 23rd, urging travelers to stay alert.