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Japan: Heavy Snow Paralyzes Aomori as Record Accumulation Piles Up

A series of strong cold air masses brought heavy snowfall to northern Japan from January 21 through February 2. According to authorities, a total of 30 people have died across the region since January 20 due to snow-related incidents. In Aomori City, numerous vehicles were left stranded by the snow, causing traffic congestion in many areas. Snow accumulation reached 178 centimeters on February 2—about 2.6 times the seasonal average—prompting the closure of all public elementary and junior high schools in the city.

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Japan: Two Dead as Heavy Snow Triggers Building Collapses in Niigata 2

Across Niigata Prefecture, multiple structures collapsed following heavy snowfall from February 2 to 3, killing two people in Kashiwazaki and Joetsu. As of February 3, snow accumulation in Nagaoka had reached about 1.4 meters, roughly 2.6 times the seasonal average. This video shows a house in Tokamachi believed to have collapsed under the weight of snow.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Japan: Heavy Snow Triggers Building Collapses in Niigata

Across Niigata Prefecture, multiple structures collapsed due to heavy snowfall between Monday, February 2 and Tuesday, February 3, leaving two people in critical condition. This video shows a house in the Hanazono area of Nagaoka City that is believed to have collapsed under the weight of snow. As of February 3, snow accumulation in Nagaoka had reached about 1.4 meters, roughly 2.6 times the seasonal average.

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Heavy snow in Aomori

People remove snow near a house in Aomori, northeastern Japan, on Feb. 2, 2026, as heavy snow continues to hit the region.

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Heavy snow in Aomori

People remove snow near a house in Aomori, northeastern Japan, on Feb. 2, 2026, as heavy snow continues to hit the region.

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Japan: Record January Snowfall Hits Aomori, Disrupting Traffic and Trains

On January 28, Aomori City recorded 150 centimeters of snowfall for the first time in 40 years, causing traffic congestion across the city and a series of train service suspensions. Snow depth reached 154 centimeters by 9 p.m., tying for the second-highest January total on record, last seen on January 30, 1986. According to Aomori Prefecture, as of 2 p.m. on January 29, two people had died and 85 others were injured, while damage was confirmed at four residential properties. The video captures conditions in Aomori City on the morning of January 29, showing the extent of the heavy snowfall.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Heavy snow in Fukui

A dinosaur statue is pictured in front of Fukui Station in the central Japan city of Fukui on Jan. 25, 2026, following heavy snowfall.

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Heavy snow in Fukui

A dinosaur statue is pictured in front of Fukui Station in the central Japan city of Fukui on Jan. 25, 2026, following heavy snowfall.

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Heavy snow in Hokkaido

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

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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.

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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.

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Streetcar derails amid snow in Toyama Pref.

Photo taken on Jan. 24, 2026, in Takaoka in Toyama Prefecture, central Japan, shows a derailed out-of-service streetcar amid falling snow.

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Streetcar derails amid snow in Toyama Pref.

Photo taken on Jan. 24, 2026, in Takaoka in Toyama Prefecture, central Japan, shows a derailed out-of-service streetcar amid falling snow.

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Streetcar derails amid snow in Toyama Pref.

Photo taken on Jan. 24, 2026, in Takaoka in Toyama Prefecture, central Japan, shows a derailed out-of-service streetcar amid falling snow.

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Streetcar derails amid snow in Toyama Pref.

Photo taken on Jan. 24, 2026, in Takaoka in Toyama Prefecture, central Japan, shows a derailed out-of-service streetcar amid falling snow.

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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.

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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.

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Japan: Dinosaur Robots in Fukui Brave Through Heavy Snow Like Prehistoric Ice Age

In Fukui, a region famous for its numerous dinosaur fossil discoveries, dinosaur robots outside Fukui Station were seen moving through a heavy snowstorm on Friday, January 23. The sight of these prehistoric figures braving the conditions under a heavy snow warning created a powerful scene, making it feel as though the area had slipped back into a prehistoric ice age.

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Japan: Dinosaur Robots in Fukui Brave Through Heavy Snow Like Prehistoric Ice Age 2

In Fukui, a region famous for its numerous dinosaur fossil discoveries, dinosaur robots outside Fukui Station were seen moving through a heavy snowstorm on Friday, January 23. The sight of these prehistoric figures braving the conditions under a heavy snow warning created a powerful scene, making it feel as though the area had slipped back into a prehistoric ice age.

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Heavy snowfall in Japan

People walk in heavy snow in Kanazawa in Ishikawa Prefecture, central Japan, on Jan. 23, 2026.

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Heavy snowfall in Japan

A person removes snow on a street in Kanazawa in Ishikawa Prefecture, central Japan, on Jan. 23, 2026.

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Heavy snowfall in Ishikawa Pref.

People walk in heavy snow in Kanazawa in Ishikawa Prefecture, central Japan, on Jan. 22, 2026.

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eavy snowfall in Japan

A pedestrian walks on a snow-covered path in Kashiwazaki in Niigata Prefecture, northwest of Tokyo, on Jan. 22, 2026.

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Heavy snowfall in Japan

Pedestrians walk on a snow-covered path in Kashiwazaki in Niigata Prefecture, northwest of Tokyo, on Jan. 22, 2026.

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Japan: Strongest Cold Wave of Season Brings Heavy Snow to Wide Areas 2

A cold wave described as the strongest of the season has brought heavy snowfall to wide areas of Japan, particularly along the Sea of Japan coast. The snow is expected to persist through around Sunday, January 25.

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Snow in western Japan

Photo shows a snow-covered street in the western Japan city of Tottori on Jan. 21, 2026.

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Snow in western Japan

People walk through the falling snow in the western Japan city of Tottori on Jan. 21, 2026.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Heavy snowfall in Japan

Photo shows snow-covered Tottori Sand Dunes in Tottori, western Japan, on Jan. 22, 2026.

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Heavy snowfall in Japan

Pedestrians walk on a snow-covered path in Kashiwazaki in Niigata Prefecture, northwest of Tokyo, on Jan. 22, 2026.

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Snow in central Japan

Photo taken on Jan. 21, 2026, shows JR Kanazawa Station in Ishikawa Prefecture, central Japan, blanketed in snow.

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Snow in central Japan

People walk in the snow near JR Kanazawa Station in Ishikawa Prefecture, central Japan, on Jan. 21, 2026.

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Japan: Strongest Cold Wave of Season Brings Heavy Snow to Wide Areas

A cold wave described as the strongest of the season has brought heavy snowfall to wide areas of Japan, particularly along the Sea of Japan coast. The snow is expected to persist through around Sunday, January 25.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.