Sapporo Snow Festival

SAPPORO, Japan, Feb. 4 Kyodo - People view a snow sculpture of a cake on Feb. 4, 2026, the opening day of the 76th Sapporo Snow Festival in the capital of Hokkaido in northern Japan. About 2 million people are expected to visit the event through Feb. 11 featuring more than 200 snow and ice sculptures. (Kyodo)

Japan: Severe Snowstorm Triggers Whiteouts Across Hokkaido

Severe Snowstorm rushed through Hokkaido on Friday, February 6, as a rapidly intensifying low-pressure system brought a peak gust of 35.6 meters per second to Cape Soya. Heavy snow and powerful winds triggered whiteouts, causing visibility to drop significantly across the region.

Japan: Severe Snowstorm Triggers Whiteouts Across Hokkaido 2

Severe Snowstorm rushed through Hokkaido on Friday, February 6, as a rapidly intensifying low-pressure system brought a peak gust of 35.6 meters per second to Cape Soya. Heavy snow and powerful winds triggered whiteouts, causing visibility to drop significantly across the region.

Sapporo Snow Festival

Sapporo Snow Festival

Snow sculptures are lit up at Odori Park in Sapporo, Hokkaido, on Feb. 4, 2026, the opening day of the Sapporo Snow Festival. About 2 million people are expected to visit the event through Feb. 11 featuring more than 200 snow and ice sculptures.

Sapporo Snow Festival

Sapporo Snow Festival

Snow sculptures are lit up at Odori Park in Sapporo, Hokkaido, on Feb. 4, 2026, the opening day of the Sapporo Snow Festival. About 2 million people are expected to visit the event through Feb. 11 featuring more than 200 snow and ice sculptures.

Sapporo Snow Festival

Sapporo Snow Festival

People view a snow sculpture of a cake on Feb. 4, 2026, the opening day of the 76th Sapporo Snow Festival in the capital of Hokkaido in northern Japan. About 2 million people are expected to visit the event through Feb. 11 featuring more than 200 snow and ice sculptures.

Sapporo Snow Festival

Sapporo Snow Festival

People view a snow sculpture of a cake on Feb. 4, 2026, the opening day of the 76th Sapporo Snow Festival in the capital of Hokkaido in northern Japan. About 2 million people are expected to visit the event through Feb. 11 featuring more than 200 snow and ice sculptures.

Sapporo Snow Festival

Sapporo Snow Festival

The 76th Sapporo Snow Festival opens in the capital of Hokkaido in northern Japan on Feb. 4, 2026, with about 2 million people expected to visit the event featuring more than 200 snow and ice sculptures through Feb. 11.

Campaigning for general election in Japan

Campaigning for general election in Japan

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, leader of the Liberal Democratic Party, makes a stump speech in Sapporo in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on Jan. 28, 2026, as official campaigning began the previous day for the House of Representatives election on Feb. 8.

Campaigning for general election in Japan

Campaigning for general election in Japan

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, leader of the Liberal Democratic Party, makes a stump speech in Sapporo in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on Jan. 28, 2026, as official campaigning began the previous day for the House of Representatives election on Feb. 8.

Campaigning for general election in Japan

Campaigning for general election in Japan

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, leader of the Liberal Democratic Party, makes a stump speech in Sapporo in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on Jan. 28, 2026, as official campaigning began the previous day for the House of Representatives election on Feb. 8.

Campaigning for general election in Japan

Campaigning for general election in Japan

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, leader of the Liberal Democratic Party, makes a stump speech in Sapporo in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on Jan. 28, 2026, as official campaigning began the previous day for the House of Representatives election on Feb. 8.

Campaigning for general election in Japan

Campaigning for general election in Japan

Japanese Prime Minister and Liberal Democratic Party head Sanae Takaichi makes a speech in Sapporo in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on Jan. 28, 2026, as official campaigning began in Japan the previous day for the House of Representatives election on Feb. 8.

Campaigning for general election in Japan

Campaigning for general election in Japan

Japanese Prime Minister and Liberal Democratic Party head Sanae Takaichi makes a speech in Sapporo in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on Jan. 28, 2026, as official campaigning began in Japan the previous day for the House of Representatives election on Feb. 8.

General election in Japan

General election in Japan

Japanese Prime Minister and Liberal Democratic Party head Sanae Takaichi makes a speech in Sapporo in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on Jan. 28, 2026, as official campaigning began in Japan the previous day for the House of Representatives election on Feb. 8.

Japan: Record Snowfall Leaves Cars Stuck in Downtown Sapporo

A cold front stalled over Hokkaido on Sunday, January 25, dumping a record 54 cm of snow on Sapporo — the highest January total ever recorded in 24 hours. The following day, a video captured people pushing a car stuck in the snow in the Susukino area of downtown Sapporo.

[Breaking News]Icefall festival in Hokkaido

KAMIKAWA, Japan, Jan. 25 Kyodo - An icefall festival begins in Kamikawa in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on Jan. 24, 2026. The annual event, featuring about 10 ice sculptures lit up in seven colors, will run through March 8. (Kyodo)

Japan: Cold Front Stalls Over Hokkaido Bringing More Than One Meter Snow to Sapporo 2

A cold front stalled over Hokkaido on Sunday, January 25, leaving more than one meter of snow on the ground in Sapporo — the highest January total recorded in the city in decades. The persistent storm heavily disrupted transportation, leaving thousands stranded at New Chitose Airport.

Japan: Cold Front Stalls Over Hokkaido Bringing More Than One Meter Snow to Sapporo

A cold front stalled over Hokkaido on Sunday, January 25, leaving more than one meter of snow on the ground in Sapporo — the highest January total recorded in the city in decades. The persistent storm heavily disrupted transportation, leaving thousands stranded at New Chitose Airport.

Heavy snow in Hokkaido

Heavy snow in Hokkaido

People walk near the Sapporo Clock Tower in Sapporo in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on Jan. 26, 2026, following heavy snowfall.

Heavy snow in Hokkaido

Heavy snow in Hokkaido

People cross a street in a downtown area of Sapporo in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on Jan. 26, 2026, following heavy snowfall.

Heavy snow in Hokkaido

Heavy snow in Hokkaido

People walk on a street in a downtown area of Sapporo in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on Jan. 26, 2026, following heavy snowfall.

Icefall festival in Hokkaido

Icefall festival in Hokkaido

An icefall festival begins in Kamikawa in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on Jan. 24, 2026. The annual event, featuring about 10 ice sculptures lit up in seven colors, will run through March 8.

Icefall festival in Hokkaido

Icefall festival in Hokkaido

An icefall festival begins in Kamikawa in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on Jan. 24, 2026. The annual event, featuring about 10 ice sculptures lit up in seven colors, will run through March 8.

Icefall festival in Hokkaido

Icefall festival in Hokkaido

An icefall festival begins in Kamikawa in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on Jan. 24, 2026. The annual event, featuring about 10 ice sculptures lit up in seven colors, will run through March 8.

Icefall festival in Hokkaido

Icefall festival in Hokkaido

An icefall festival begins in Kamikawa in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on Jan. 24, 2026. The annual event, featuring about 10 ice sculptures lit up in seven colors, will run through March 8.

Icefall festival in Hokkaido

Icefall festival in Hokkaido

An icefall festival begins in Kamikawa in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on Jan. 24, 2026. The annual event, featuring about 10 ice sculptures lit up in seven colors, will run through March 8.

Japan: Brilliant Mpemba Effect Captured in Hokkaido Amid Massive Cold Wave

As a massive cold wave hit a wide area of Japan on Friday, January 23, social media footage from Hokkaido captured a brilliant display of the Mpemba effect. The video shows boiling water being thrown into the freezing air, where it instantly transforms into a shimmering cloud of ice crystals.

Frozen lake in northern Japan

Frozen lake in northern Japan

Bubbles trapped within the ice are visible on the frozen surface of the man-made Lake Nukabira in Kamishihoro in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on Jan. 22, 2026. These "ice bubbles" form when methane gas rises from the lake and becomes sealed in as the water freezes.

Frozen lake in northern Japan

Frozen lake in northern Japan

Bubbles trapped within the ice are visible on the frozen surface of the man-made Lake Nukabira in Kamishihoro in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on Jan. 22, 2026. These "ice bubbles" form when methane gas rises from the lake and becomes sealed in as the water freezes.

Frozen lake in northern Japan

Frozen lake in northern Japan

Bubbles trapped within the ice are visible on the frozen surface of the man-made Lake Nukabira in Kamishihoro in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on Jan. 22, 2026. These "ice bubbles" form when methane gas rises from the lake and becomes sealed in as the water freezes.

Frozen lake in northern Japan

Frozen lake in northern Japan

Bubbles trapped within the ice are visible on the frozen surface of the man-made Lake Nukabira in Kamishihoro in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on Jan. 22, 2026. These "ice bubbles" form when methane gas rises from the lake and becomes sealed in as the water freezes.

[Breaking News]Steam locomotive in Hokkaido

KUSHIRO, Japan, Jan. 15 Kyodo - JR Hokkaido's "Fuyu-no-Shitsugen" (Winter Wetland) steam locomotive runs in Kushiro on the northernmost Japanese main island of Hokkaido on Jan. 14, 2026, for a press preview three days before going into service for the general public. The sightseeing train will operate in the Kushiro Marsh, a Ramsar site, mainly on weekends until March 15. (Kyodo)

Japan: Heavy Snow and Strong Winds Affect Northern Regions 2

Snowfall and strong winds affected parts of Hokkaido and the Tohoku region on Tuesday, January 20, as a low-pressure system moved across northern Japan. Snow accumulated rapidly in some areas, while gusty winds led to reduced visibility and difficult travel conditions, particularly along the Sea of Japan coast.

Japan: Heavy Snow and Strong Winds Affect Northern Regions 3

Snowfall and strong winds affected parts of Hokkaido and the Tohoku region on Tuesday, January 20, as a low-pressure system moved across northern Japan. Snow accumulated rapidly in some areas, while gusty winds led to reduced visibility and difficult travel conditions, particularly along the Sea of Japan coast.

Japan: Heavy Snow and Strong Winds Affect Northern Regions

Snowfall and strong winds affected parts of Hokkaido and the Tohoku region on Tuesday, January 20, as a low-pressure system moved across northern Japan. Snow accumulated rapidly in some areas, while gusty winds led to reduced visibility and difficult travel conditions, particularly along the Sea of Japan coast.

Japanese monkeys in hot spring

HAKODATE, Japan, Jan. 14 Kyodo - Japanese monkeys soak in an open-air hot spring at the Hakodate Tropical Botanical Garden in Hakodate in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on Jan. 14, 2026. (Kyodo)

Japan: Blizzard Conditions Reduce Visibility in Sapporo Area 7

Heavy snowfall hit Sapporo and surrounding cities on Tuesday, January 13, significantly reducing visibility. Snow intensified in the afternoon, with 13 centimeters accumulating between noon and 6 p.m., according to local authorities. As of 6 p.m., blizzard conditions forced the closure of multiple expressways across a wide area. The severe weather also disrupted air travel, with 99 flights canceled at New Chitose Airport, along with numerous delays.

Japan: Blizzard Conditions Reduce Visibility in Sapporo Area 6

Heavy snowfall hit Sapporo and surrounding cities on Tuesday, January 13, significantly reducing visibility. Snow intensified in the afternoon, with 13 centimeters accumulating between noon and 6 p.m., according to local authorities. As of 6 p.m., blizzard conditions forced the closure of multiple expressways across a wide area. The severe weather also disrupted air travel, with 99 flights canceled at New Chitose Airport, along with numerous delays.

Japan: Blizzard Conditions Reduce Visibility in Sapporo Area 5

Heavy snowfall hit Sapporo and surrounding cities on Tuesday, January 13, significantly reducing visibility. Snow intensified in the afternoon, with 13 centimeters accumulating between noon and 6 p.m., according to local authorities. As of 6 p.m., blizzard conditions forced the closure of multiple expressways across a wide area. The severe weather also disrupted air travel, with 99 flights canceled at New Chitose Airport, along with numerous delays.

Steam locomotive in Hokkaido

Steam locomotive in Hokkaido

JR Hokkaido's "Fuyu-no-Shitsugen" (Winter Wetland) steam locomotive runs in Kushiro on the northernmost Japanese main island of Hokkaido on Jan. 14, 2026, for a press preview three days before going into service for the general public. The sightseeing train will operate in the Kushiro Marsh, a Ramsar site, mainly on weekends until March 15.

Japan: Blizzard Conditions Reduce Visibility in Sapporo Area 4

Heavy snowfall hit Sapporo and surrounding cities on Tuesday, January 13, significantly reducing visibility. Snow intensified in the afternoon, with 13 centimeters accumulating between noon and 6 p.m., according to local authorities. As of 6 p.m., blizzard conditions forced the closure of multiple expressways across a wide area. The severe weather also disrupted air travel, with 99 flights canceled at New Chitose Airport, along with numerous delays.

Japan: Heavy Snow Leaves 800 Passengers Stranded Overnight at New Chitose Airport 3

Heavy snowfall hit Sapporo on Tuesday, January 13, significantly reducing visibility across the city. At New Chitose Airport, 126 flights were canceled and many were delayed. Around 800 passengers were stranded overnight due to the severe weather.

Japan: Heavy Snow Leaves 800 Passengers Stranded Overnight at New Chitose Airport 2

Heavy snowfall hit Sapporo on Tuesday, January 13, significantly reducing visibility across the city. At New Chitose Airport, 126 flights were canceled and many were delayed. Around 800 passengers were stranded overnight due to the severe weather.

Japanese monkeys in hot spring

Japanese monkeys in hot spring

Japanese monkeys soak in an open-air hot spring at the Hakodate Tropical Botanical Garden in Hakodate in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on Jan. 14, 2026.

Japanese monkeys in hot spring

Japanese monkeys in hot spring

Japanese monkeys soak in an open-air hot spring at the Hakodate Tropical Botanical Garden in Hakodate in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on Jan. 14, 2026.

Japanese monkeys in hot spring

Japanese monkeys in hot spring

Japanese monkeys soak in an open-air hot spring at the Hakodate Tropical Botanical Garden in Hakodate in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on Jan. 14, 2026.

Japanese monkeys in hot spring

Japanese monkeys in hot spring

Japanese monkeys soak in an open-air hot spring at the Hakodate Tropical Botanical Garden in Hakodate in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on Jan. 14, 2026.

Japan: Heavy Snow Leaves 800 Passengers Stranded Overnight at New Chitose Airport

Heavy snowfall hit Sapporo on Tuesday, January 13, significantly reducing visibility across the city. At New Chitose Airport, 126 flights were canceled and many were delayed. Around 800 passengers were stranded overnight due to the severe weather.

Japan: Blizzard Conditions Reduce Visibility in Sapporo Area 3

Heavy snowfall hit Sapporo and surrounding cities on Tuesday, January 13, significantly reducing visibility. Snow intensified in the afternoon, with 13 centimeters accumulating between noon and 6 p.m., according to local authorities. As of 6 p.m., blizzard conditions forced the closure of multiple expressways across a wide area. The severe weather also disrupted air travel, with 99 flights canceled at New Chitose Airport, along with numerous delays.