Search｜Photos & Images & Videos｜KYODO NEWS IMAGES INC

Japan: Hundreds of Vehicles Stranded on Hokuriku Expressway Amid Record Snowfall in Fukui

Heavy snowfall in Fukui Prefecture prompted the Japan Meteorological Agency to issue a weather warning on Friday, January 23. As rapid accumulation caused severe traffic disruptions, approximately 360 vehicles were left stranded on the Hokuriku Expressway near Tsuruga City.

E

Snow in central Japan

Gates are closed at an interchange on the Hokuriku Expressway in the central Japan city of Toyama to prevent accidents given expected heavy snowfall on Jan. 21, 2026.

E

Snow in central Japan

Gates are closed at an interchange on the Hokuriku Expressway in the central Japan city of Toyama to prevent accidents given expected heavy snowfall on Jan. 21, 2026.

E

Snow in central Japan

An electronic signboard at an interchange on the Hokuriku Expressway in the central Japan city of Toyama informs drivers of the closure of a section to prevent accidents given expected heavy snowfall on Jan. 21, 2026.

E

Japan: Heavy Rain Floods Roads and Homes in Joetsu City

Early on September 3, Joetsu City, Niigata Prefecture experienced heavy rain caused by a developing raincloud system, resulting in flooded main roads as well as water entering homes. The downpour, which began just after 6 a.m., continued intensely for about three hours. Sections of the expressway were closed to traffic, and some train services were also suspended.

E

Japan: Strong Cold Wave Sweeps Across Country, Bringing Heavy Snow And Disruptions 4

A strong cold wave continued to sweep across Japan on Friday, February 7, bringing heavy snow to a wide area, mainly along the Sea of Japan coast, throughout the weekend.

E

M6.8 quake jolts Niigata, vicinity

KASHIWAZAKI, Japan - Cracks appear on the Hokuriku expressway in Kashiwazaki, Niigata Prefecture, on July 16 after an earthquake with a magnitude of 6.8 rocked a wide area of the prefecture and its vicinity earlier in the day.

E

31 hurt in Hokuriku highway pileup involving 61 vehicles

IZUMI, Japan - Sixty-one vehicles piled up on the Hokuriku expressway in Izumi, Toyama Prefecture, on Feb. 3, injuring 31 people, four of them seriously.

E

World's largest tunnel boring machine begins operations

GIFU, Japan - Photo shows the tunnel boring machine (TBM), the world's largest according to the Japan Highway Public Corp., to be used in boring operations for the Hida Tunnel on the Tokai-Hokuriku Expressway in Gifu Prefecture.

E

World's largest tunnel boring machine begins operations

GIFU, Japan - Photo shows the tunnel boring machine (TBM), the world's largest according to the Japan Highway Public Corp., to be used in boring operations for the Hida Tunnel on the Tokai-Hokuriku Expressway in Gifu Prefecture.

E

Heavy snow in central Japan??

Video taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows vehicles stranded in the snow on the Hokuriku Expressway in Awara in Fukui Prefecture, central Japan, on Jan. 11, 2021, as heavy snowfall continued to hit the region.

E

M6.8 quake jolts Niigata, vicinity

KASHIWAZAKI, Japan - Cracks appear on the Hokuriku expressway in Kashiwazaki, Niigata Prefecture, on July 16 after an earthquake with a magnitude of 6.8 rocked a wide area of the prefecture and its vicinity earlier in the day. (Kyodo)

E

31 hurt in Hokuriku highway pileup involving 61 vehicles

IZUMI, Japan - Sixty-one vehicles piled up on the Hokuriku expressway in Izumi, Toyama Prefecture, on Feb. 3, injuring 31 people, four of them seriously. (Kyodo)

E

Heavy snow in central Japan

Vehicles run on the Hokuriku Expressway in Fukui, central Japan, on Jan. 12, 2021, after snow removal work. Some parts of the highway were closed for a few days due to heavy snow.

E

Heavy snow in central Japan

Vehicles run on the Hokuriku Expressway in Fukui, central Japan, on Jan. 12, 2021, after snow removal work. Some parts of the highway were closed for a few days due to heavy snow.

E

Heavy snow in central Japan

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows vehicles stranded in the snow on the Hokuriku Expressway in Awara in Fukui Prefecture, central Japan, on Jan. 11, 2021, as heavy snowfall continued to hit the region.

E

Heavy snow in central Japan

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows vehicles stranded in the snow on the Hokuriku Expressway in Awara in Fukui Prefecture, central Japan, on Jan. 11, 2021, as heavy snowfall continued to hit the region.

E

Heavy snow in central Japan

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows vehicles stranded in the snow on the Hokuriku Expressway in Awara in Fukui Prefecture, central Japan, on Jan. 11, 2021, as heavy snowfall continued to hit the region.

E

Heavy snow in central Japan

Vehicles are stranded in the snow on the Tokai Hokuriku Expressway in Toyama Prefecture, central Japan, on Jan. 10, 2021. Heavy snowfall continued across wide areas of the country, forcing some prefectures to request the Ground Self-Defense Force's help in rescue operations.

E

Heavy snow in central Japan

Vehicles are stranded in the snow on the Tokai Hokuriku Expressway in Toyama Prefecture, central Japan, on Jan. 10, 2021. Heavy snowfall continued across wide areas of the country, forcing some prefectures to request the Ground Self-Defense Force's help in rescue operations.

E

Heavy snow in central Japan

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows vehicles stranded in the snow on the Hokuriku Expressway in Fukui Prefecture, central Japan, on Jan. 10, 2021. Heavy snowfall continued across wide areas of the country, forcing some prefectures to request the Ground Self-Defense Force's help in rescue operations.

E

Heavy snow in central Japan

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows vehicles stranded in the snow on the Hokuriku Expressway in Fukui Prefecture, central Japan, on Jan. 10, 2021. Heavy snowfall continued across wide areas of the country, forcing some prefectures to request the Ground Self-Defense Force's help in rescue operations.

E

Heavy snow in central Japan

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows vehicles stranded in the snow on the Hokuriku Expressway in Fukui Prefecture, central Japan, on Jan. 10, 2021. Heavy snowfall continued across wide areas of the country, forcing some prefectures to request the Ground Self-Defense Force's help in rescue operations.

E

Heavy snow in central Japan

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows vehicles stranded in the snow on the Hokuriku Expressway in Fukui Prefecture, central Japan, on Jan. 10, 2021. Heavy snowfall continued across wide areas of the country, forcing some prefectures to request the Ground Self-Defense Force's help in rescue operations.

E

Heavy snow in central Japan

Vehicles are stranded in the snow on the Hokuriku Expressway in Fukui Prefecture, central Japan, on Jan. 10, 2021. Heavy snowfall continued across wide areas of the country, forcing some prefectures to request the Ground Self-Defense Force's help in rescue operations.

E

Heavy snow in central Japan

Vehicles are stranded in the snow on the Hokuriku Expressway in Fukui Prefecture, central Japan, on Jan. 10, 2021. Heavy snowfall continued across wide areas of the country, forcing some prefectures to request the Ground Self-Defense Force's help in rescue operations.