Flooded road in Ishinomaki

Flooded road in Ishinomaki

ISHINOMAKI, Japan - A woman walks on a flooded road in Ishinomaki, Miyagi Prefecture, on April 20, 2011. The area sank around 80 centimeters after the March 11 earthquake and tsunami, and high tides have been flooding the area since the disaster.

Niigata ski resort opens early due to heavy snow

Niigata ski resort opens early due to heavy snow

YUZAWA TOWN, Japan - About 600 skiers and snowboarders hit the slopes at the Kagura-Mitsumata ski area on Nov. 16 as the resort in Yuzawa town, Niigata Prefecture, opened to the public one week earlier than expected because of an unusually heavy snowfall. The Kagura-Mitsumata area saw its first snow on Oct. 29, and as of Nov. 16, mountain peaks had 80-90 centimeters of snow, and the lowest Mitsumata piste was covered with around 30 cm.

Niigata ski resort opens early due to heavy snow

Niigata ski resort opens early due to heavy snow

YUZAWA TOWN, Japan - About 600 skiers and snowboarders hit the slopes at the Kagura-Mitsumata ski area on Nov. 16 as the resort in Yuzawa town, Niigata Prefecture, opened to the public one week earlier than expected because of an unusually heavy snowfall. The Kagura-Mitsumata area saw its first snow on Oct. 29, and as of Nov. 16, mountain peaks had 80-90 centimeters of snow, and the lowest Mitsumata piste was covered with around 30 cm. (Kyodo)

Flooded road in Ishinomaki

Flooded road in Ishinomaki

ISHINOMAKI, Japan - A woman walks on a flooded road in Ishinomaki, Miyagi Prefecture, on April 20, 2011. The area sank around 80 centimeters after the March 11 earthquake and tsunami, and high tides have been flooding the area since the disaster. (Kyodo)