WINTER WEATHER IN JAPAN: HEAVY SNOW, AVALANCHES, SNOW COUNTRY

WINTER WEATHER IN JAPAN

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Japan’s normal winter pattern is to have a high pressure system in the west, and a low pressure system in the east. Typically cold northwest winds blow in from the Asian continent over the Sea of Japan, producing snow clouds as they meet the warm water of the Tsushima current, and bring heavy snowfall along the Sea of Japan. Sometimes violent lightning occurs in Japan in the winter.

Japan experienced an unusually cold winter and high snowfalls in 2005-2006. The unseasonably frigid temperatures were attributed to El Nina, which disrupted Japan’s normal westerly wind patterns, strengthening the southerly flow of cold air. Japan experienced an unusually warm winter in 2006-2007. Golf courses welcomed the change while other places didn’t. Some winter festivals had to truck in snow. Some ski resorts filed for bankruptcy. The unseasonably mild temperatures were attributed to El Nino, which produced warm temperatures near the equator that disrupted Japan’s normal winter pattern of a high pressure system in the west, and low pressure system in the east, blocking the southerly flow of cold air and allowing warm air to come in from the south.

In November 2016, Tokyo received measurable snow for first time since 1962. AFP reported: Snow began falling before dawn with the mercury approaching zero as a cold weather system moved south. Amounts were greater in suburban areas closer to mountains but even central Tokyo saw brief accumulations, which the agency forecast to be as high as two centimeters (one inch). That was the first November accumulation since records began in 1875, the agency said. [Source: AFP ,November 24, 2016]

Tokyo, which spreads over a wide area and includes many suburbs, enjoys relatively mild winters compared to some other parts of the country where snowfall is more frequent. Television footage showed a resident in the western suburb of Hachioji shovelling snow as the pavement, trees and park benches were covered in white powder. Train and subway services were temporarily suspended or delayed especially in western Tokyo, affecting thousands of commuters during the morning rush hour.

Snow County in Japan

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heavy snow in 2005 In winter, winds and precipitation coming from the west across the Sea of Japan often brings heavy snows to northwest Honshu.

Snow country refers to an area between the Sea of Japan and the Japanese Alps. It is one of the snowiest regions in the world, with snow levels measured in meters rather than centimeters or inches. Precipitation-laden clouds coming in from the Sea of Japan bang up against the mountains and drop huge loads of snow. The town of Tsunan, which lies in the heart of snow country, was buried under seven meters of snow in 1945. Until these areas were regularly plowed starting in the 1960s, some places were virtually cut off from the rest of the world until the snow disappeared.

People in Snow Country use plow-like shovels which they push with two hands to remove snow from driveways, walkways and roofs. A resident in Tsunan told the New York Times, “It’s a never-ending job!...After you’ve cleared the snow, the place is covered with snow again two days later. “

Cars and houses are buried under snow. Towns became lumpy white blankets. Streets that are plowed are lined by walls of snow. Some people have to climb out of second-story widows onto three-meter-high walls of snow just to get out their house. Kids play jump rope by jumping over power lines.

Snow has to be cleared from roofs to keep them from collapsing. Typically the man of the house climbs a ladder to the roof to clear the snow while his wife waits below. These days many of the people who live in rural areas with lots of snow are people in their 70s and 80s. Many of them have gotten hurt or even died from falling off roofs or being knocked out or buried under falling snow. People have also died when heavy snow on roofs caused entire buildings to collapse.

Some places with heavy snowfalls have sprinklers in the middle of the streets and electrical pumps that use mildly warm underground water to melt the snow. Some streets, especially those around the train stations, are heated. Large chunks of local budgets are spent on snow removal.

Heavy Snow in Japan

Japan experiences some of the heaviest snowfall in the world, particularly along the Sea of Japan coast and in mountainous regions. Cold air masses originating in Siberia move across the relatively warm waters of the Sea of Japan, absorbing moisture before reaching the Japanese islands. As the air is forced upward by mountain ranges, it releases large amounts of snow, producing some of the world's most intense winter snowfall. Cities such as Aomori and Sapporo are among the snowiest major urban areas on Earth, receiving several meters of snow during an average winter.

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Heavy snowfall in late 2005 and early 2006 resulted in more than 60 deaths and 1,178 injuries. Places in Niigata and Nagano received more than 80 centimeters a day. Tsunan lay under four meters of snow in early January. Many of those who died where elderly people who fell while shoveling snow off the roofs of their houses.

Snowfall amounts were so high in 2006 that ski resorts and onsens lost customers because of fears by customers over avalanches, Some places received so much snow that the military was called in to help remove it. By the time winter was nearing its end some places had accumulated more that six meters of snow.

The record snows were accompanied by the coldest temperatures since the mid 1980s. Some of the same areas that get by record snows also endured power outages caused by heavy snow and ice on power lines. Power lines from nuclear plants were damaged, causing the nuclear plants to shut down. Trains were also shut down.

The walls of snow in 2,390-meter-high Yuki no Otani (“Great Snow Valley”) on the Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route between Toyama and Nagano prefectures were up to 19 meters high when the route was opened in April in 2006.

Record Snowfalls in Japan

Recent winters have produced a number of remarkable snowfall events. In February 2025, the city of Obihiro in Hokkaido received 129 centimeters (50.8 inches) of snow in just 12 hours, setting a new national record for snowfall accumulation over that period. In January 2026, Aomori City recorded 167 centimeters (65.7 inches) of snow during the month, the highest January total in 81 years. In some mountainous and rural parts of Aomori Prefecture, snow depths reached approximately 4.5 meters (15 feet) during the winter season.

heavy snow in 2018

Heavy snowstorms have repeatedly disrupted transportation and daily life across northern and western Japan. During the winter of 2025–26, blizzards caused road closures, train cancellations, school shutdowns, and power outages in several prefectures. Areas such as Niigata, Aomori, and Hokkaido experienced particularly severe conditions, prompting local authorities to mobilize emergency services and, in some cases, request assistance for snow removal and disaster response.

Japan is also home to several world-record snowfall measurements. On February 14, 1927, Mount Ibuki in Shiga Prefecture recorded 230 centimeters (90.6 inches) of snowfall in a single 24-hour period, a figure widely recognized as a world record. During the same winter, Mount Ibuki recorded a snow depth of 1,182 centimeters (38.8 feet), one of the deepest snow covers ever measured. Another notable location is Sukayu Onsen in Aomori Prefecture, which receives an average of about 17.6 meters (58 feet) of snowfall annually, making it one of the snowiest inhabited places in the world.

Record Low Temperatures in Japan in 2013

Japan experienced an exceptionally cold winter in 2012–13, with northern and eastern regions recording some of their lowest temperatures in decades. According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, the average temperature in northern Japan during early January 2013 was 3.3°C (5.9°F) below normal, the largest negative departure from average temperatures in 28 years. Eastern Japan also experienced unusually cold conditions, with temperatures averaging 1.4°C (2.5°F) below normal. [Source: Yomiuri Shimbun, January 14, 2013]

Hokkaido was among the areas most affected by the cold wave. In the Utanobori district of Esashi, temperatures fell below –30°C (–22°F) for four consecutive days in January. Sapporo experienced an extended cold spell in which daily temperatures remained below freezing for 11 straight days, the longest such period in 36 years. The severe cold increased demand for heating, causing record levels of natural gas consumption in some areas.

The prolonged cold weather and heavy snowfall disrupted transportation and daily life across northern Japan. In the city of Rumoi, snowfall exceeded one meter (3.3 feet), roughly double the normal accumulation for that time of year. Snow-covered roads and difficult travel conditions isolated some communities and hindered access to medical services, prompting local authorities and transportation providers to introduce emergency measures to assist residents.

snow monkeys at Jigokudani hotspring in Nagano

Agriculture was also affected by the unusually cold conditions. In farming areas of Ibaraki Prefecture, low temperatures slowed the growth of winter vegetables such as Chinese cabbage, reducing yields and delaying harvests. Frozen fields and slower crop development contributed to shortages in some markets and led to higher vegetable prices. Restaurants and food businesses that relied heavily on fresh produce faced increased costs as supplies tightened.

The cold weather produced mixed economic effects. While farmers and transportation operators faced challenges, demand increased for heating equipment, humidifiers, and other winter-related products. Sales of air conditioners used for heating rose sharply, while retailers also reported increased sales of premium ice cream and other indoor comfort products as people spent more time at home during the cold spell.

Meteorologists attributed the unusual cold to atmospheric circulation patterns affecting East Asia. A southward shift in the path of the westerly jet stream allowed cold Arctic air to move more easily into Japan. According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, weather systems over the Indian Ocean helped alter upper-level wind patterns, contributing to the prolonged intrusion of cold air and the severe winter conditions experienced across much of the country.

Students Brave Heavy Snowfall for University Entrance Exams

Japan's National Center Test for university admissions began on January 14, 2017, at 691 examination venues across the country amid widespread snowfall and severe winter weather. Heavy snow affected many regions, particularly those along the Sea of Japan coast, creating transportation disruptions and challenging conditions for students traveling to examination sites. Despite the weather, nearly 576,000 students were registered to take the nationwide examination, which serves as a key component of the university admissions process. [Source: Yomiuri Shimbun, January 15, 2017]

Many examinees took special precautions to ensure they would arrive on time. Some students stayed in hotels near their examination venues the night before, while others were driven by family members to avoid possible delays on public transportation. In several areas, students arrived much earlier than usual because of concerns that snowstorms could disrupt train and bus services.

Transportation problems affected a number of examination sites. Train cancellations and delays were reported on the JR Joetsu and Shinetsu lines in Niigata Prefecture because of heavy snowfall and snow accumulation on tracks. As a result, several universities in Niigata, including Nagaoka University of Technology, Nippon Dental University, and Niigata University of Management, delayed the start of examinations by one hour. Approximately 2,000 students were affected by the schedule changes.

Snow on Ayase river

Universities and local authorities worked to ensure examination sites remained accessible. At Yamagata University, snow-removal operations began early in the morning to clear pathways and entrances before students arrived. Throughout the region, examinees wearing winter coats, scarves, and protective clothing made their way to testing centers despite the severe weather conditions.

Officials noted that students generally responded well to the forecasts of heavy snow. In some prefectures, unusually large numbers of examinees arrived early at testing sites, reflecting efforts to avoid transportation problems. The successful administration of the examinations demonstrated the extensive planning undertaken by students, families, universities, and transportation providers to minimize the impact of winter weather on one of Japan's most important academic events.

Deadly Snowstorm in Japan

In December 2022, a powerful winter storm brought exceptionally heavy snowfall to large areas of northern and western Japan, particularly along the Sea of Japan coast. Snow began falling around December 17 and continued for more than a week, causing widespread disruption to transportation, power supplies, and daily life. Many regions recorded snowfall amounts several times higher than seasonal averages, with parts of Hokkaido receiving more than 1.6 meters (5.2 feet) of snow. The severe weather resulted in at least 17 deaths and more than 90 injuries by late December, according to Japanese disaster management authorities. Many of the fatalities occurred during snow-clearing operations, as people fell from rooftops or were struck and buried by large accumulations of snow sliding from buildings. Local governments repeatedly urged residents to take precautions while removing snow and to avoid working alone. [Source: Mari Yamaguchi, Associated Press, December 26, 2022; Reuters Videos, December 24, 2022; NHK, December 23, 2022]

Over one weekend in March 2013, heavy snow killed eight people in Hokkaido, including a family whose car became buried. Associated Press reported: Kazuyo Miyashita, 40, her two daughters Misa, 17, and Sayo, 14, and her son Daiki, 11, died at a hospital Saturday night of carbon-monoxide poisoning after their vehicle got buried in the snow, according to Kyodo news service. Separately, Haruna Kitagawa, 23, froze to death after leaving her car, stuck in the snow. A 53-year-old man died Sunday after getting buried in the snow, although his 9-year-old daughter found with him was recovering, Kyodo said. Also a 54-year-old man and a 76-year-old man were found collapsed in the snow in another part of Hokkaido, and both were confirmed dead, it said. The storm caused two-meter-high (six-and-a-half-feet) drifts and was blamed for derailing a bullet train in Akita prefecture, south of Hokkaido, on Saturday afternoon. Kyodo said the passenger train was moving slowly because of the heavy snow on the tracks, and the derailment caused no injuries. [Source: Associated Press. March 3, 2013]

Sailor directs an EA-18G during snow storm in Japan Misawa Naval Facility in January 2013

In the winter of 2024-2025, 68 people died over six winter months, according to officials. Dozens also died in the winter of 2025-2026. By early February 2026, at least 35 people had died and nearly 400 others had been injured in snow-related incidents since January 20. More than 120 of the injuries were classified as serious. Most fatalities occurred while people were clearing snow from roofs, removing snow around their homes, or were struck by falling snow and ice. The unusually heavy snowfall was caused by repeated outbreaks of cold Arctic air moving across the Sea of Japan and depositing large amounts of moisture as snow over coastal and mountainous regions. [Source: Justin McCurry, The Guardian, February 6, 2026]

The storms affected 15 of Japan's 47 prefectures, with snow depths reaching about 2 meters (6.5 feet) in some areas. Northern communities, particularly in Aomori Prefecture, were buried under deep snowdrifts that disrupted daily life, closed schools and businesses, and made transportation difficult. More than 1,700 households temporarily lost electricity, while rail services, including some Shinkansen bullet trains, were canceled or delayed. Local authorities reported that emergency vehicles struggled to reach residents in need because roads were blocked by snow, forcing rescue workers in some cases to travel on foot carrying stretchers.

Niigata Prefecture was among the hardest-hit areas, reporting 12 snow-related deaths. Victims included residents who fell from rooftops while clearing snow and others who were found collapsed outdoors during snow-removal work. Across the affected regions, local governments repeatedly warned residents not to remove snow alone and urged them to use safety equipment such as helmets and lifelines. Snow-clearing accidents are a recurring hazard in Japan's heavy-snow regions, particularly among elderly residents. The severe winter weather also affected foreign visitors. In Hokkaido, a 27-year-old Australian man died after collapsing and falling while skiing at a resort in Niseko, where he was employed. In Nagano Prefecture, a 22-year-old Australian woman died after her backpack became caught in a ski lift, leaving her suspended in midair. These incidents highlighted the risks posed by winter conditions even at popular ski destinations.

Heavy Snow in Northwest Japan in 2010-2011

The Hokuriku region of Niigata, Fukui and Tottori prefectures got hit by unusually heavy snow — up to four meters as of mid February — in the winter of 2010-2011. The harsh weather was particularly tough since many of the residents of the area are in their 70s and 80s. An 87-year-old women whose house had snow up the second floor balcony and told the Yomiuri Shimbun, “It was difficult to get out.” When she passed by other house she made a point to stay some distance away so she wouldn’t be buried by a sudden rooftop avalanche. Some houses had snow tunnels to reach their front doors and required lights to be on the daytime as snow covered all the windows. Numerous greenhouses were crushed.

As of February 19th 2011, 96 people had died in snow-related accidents in snow-related accidents in 13 prefectures, with 19 in Niigata and 15 in Hokkaido. Sixty people were killed removing snow, many of them from rooftops, Snow sliding off roofs and other places, burying people, killed another 12. On top of that, 971 were injured in snow-related accidients.

From December 2005 to March 2006 152 people died in snow-related accidents. A cold air mass in November brought snow to tropical Amami-Oshima Island near Okinawa and shut down overnight trains and delayed more than 3000 local trains on the main islands of Japan. Record low temperatures were recorded in a number of places. A record 192 centimeters of snow accumulated at Kitahiroshimacho in Hiroshima Prefecture . More than three meters of snow piled up in Sukayu hot springs in Aomori Prefecture.

Services in Japan That Help Elderly People Remove Snow

In many communities along the Sea of Japan coast and in mountainous areas, a large proportion of residents are elderly and they are often unable to remove heavy accumulations of snow from roofs, driveways, and access roads. Snow removal is essential not only for daily activities but also for safety, as deep snow can block access to homes, prevent emergency services from reaching residents, and cause roofs to collapse under excessive weight. [Source: Yomiuri Shimbun, January 25, 2017; Naoko Kagemoto and Kentaro Matsumoto, Yomiuri Shimbun, February 3, 2012]

Naoko Kagemoto and Kentaro Matsumoto wrote in the Yomiuri Shimbun: According to the Fire and Disaster Management Agency, heavy snow this winter of 2012 claimed 52 lives as of February. Of those, 36 were aged 65 or older. Thirty-one people died while they were removing snow from roofs or roads. It is feared that this winter's snowfall may become as heavy as that of the winter of 2005-2006, in which 152 people died in snow-related accidents.The snow-hit region includes depopulated and aging areas where it is difficult to secure enough people to remove heavy accumulations of snow. These areas have been experiencing serious harm, with many elderly residents dying or suffering injuries while shoveling snow.

“Municipalities have come up with a variety of measures, including providing subsidies to volunteers and enacting ordinances regarding abandoned houses that may be destroyed due to snow. In Okura, Yamagata Prefecture, a village where residents aged 65 or older account for more than 30 percent of the population, 330 centimeters of snowfall had been recorded as of that time. The village government has been receiving calls for help from elderly residents to remove snow from their houses, with many of them saying they have no one else to ask.

In Masudamachi-Saruhannai district in Yokote, Akita Prefecture, an area known for heavy snowfall and a high percentage of elderly residents. Following a winter in which snow accumulation reached a record 191 centimeters (75 inches), local residents established a mutual-aid organization in 2012 to help clear snow from homes and surrounding areas. Under the program, teams of volunteers or community workers are dispatched when assistance is requested. Services typically include clearing entrances, removing snow from roofs, and opening access routes around homes. A modest fee is often charged to help cover operating expenses and maintain the organization while ensuring that elderly residents feel comfortable requesting assistance. The service has become especially important for people living alone, those with health problems, and families occupied with caregiving responsibilities.

Akita Prefecture has encouraged the development of similar organizations by providing financial support for equipment purchases and operational costs. The number of local snow-removal mutual-aid groups increased steadily after the program was introduced, reflecting growing demand for assistance. Officials view these organizations as an important way to help elderly residents remain safely in their homes despite harsh winter conditions. Similar initiatives have spread to other snowy regions of Japan. In Niigata Prefecture, charitable organizations have raised funds to support volunteer snow-removal activities, while Yamagata Prefecture has offered subsidies to help volunteers cover travel and accommodation expenses. These programs have attracted hundreds of volunteers from other parts of Japan who assist communities during the winter months.

Deadly Snow Storms in Japan in February 2014]

Japan experienced two major snowstorms in February 2014 that brought some of the heaviest snowfall in decades to large areas of the country. The storms affected Tokyo and many prefectures in eastern and central Japan, causing widespread transportation disruptions, power outages, building collapses, and numerous fatalities. The heavy snow was associated with rapidly developing low-pressure systems that moved along Japan's Pacific coast, drawing moist air into unusually cold conditions and producing exceptionally heavy snowfall over regions that do not normally experience such accumulations. [Source: AFP, February 8, 2014; abc.net.au, February 9, 2014; Euan McKirdy, CNN, February 18, 2014; Reuters, February 16, 2014]

The first storm struck on February 8–9 and produced the heaviest snowfall in Tokyo in nearly half a century. Snow accumulation reached 27 centimeters (10.6 inches) in the capital, while Sendai recorded 35 centimeters (13.8 inches), its heaviest snowfall in 78 years. More than 740 flights were canceled, sections of expressways were closed, and some Shinkansen bullet train services were suspended, affecting over 100,000 passengers. Nearly 44,000 households lost electricity, and thousands of travelers were stranded, including about 5,000 people at Narita Airport. At least seven people were killed and more than 1,000 injured, many in traffic accidents caused by vehicles skidding on icy roads or in falls and snow-removal accidents.

A second and even more destructive storm struck on February 14–16. Some areas of Yamanashi, Nagano, Gunma, and Saitama prefectures received more than one meter (3.3 feet) of snow, while Tokyo recorded another 27 centimeters (10.6 inches). The heavy accumulations overwhelmed infrastructure and isolated many mountain communities. More than 5,000 households became inaccessible because roads were blocked by deep snow, and hundreds of motorists were stranded on highways. Across eastern Japan, hundreds of thousands of households temporarily lost electricity, and more than 600 flights were canceled.

The storms caused extensive damage to buildings and transportation systems. The weight of accumulated snow led to the collapse of roofs, greenhouses, warehouses, and other structures, particularly in areas unaccustomed to such heavy snowfall. In Kawasaki, near Tokyo, a commuter train collided with another train after snow affected braking performance, injuring about 20 passengers. Major highways linking central prefectures were closed, leaving drivers trapped for long periods. Local governments and emergency services carried out rescue operations to deliver food, fuel, and medical assistance to isolated communities.

The storms resulted in at least 19 deaths and more than 365 injuries during the second snowfall event alone, while combined casualties from both storms exceeded 1,000 injuries nationwide. Many deaths occurred when buildings collapsed under heavy snow loads, while others were caused by traffic accidents on icy roads. In Yamanashi Prefecture, two men died from exposure after abandoning stranded vehicles and attempting to walk home through severe conditions. Additional fatalities occurred during snow-clearing operations and from accidents related to hazardous winter weather. In December 2014, in a different storm, two elderly women were killed on Hokkaido, Kyodo News reported, with one hit by a snow-plough and another buried when a warehouse collapsed under the weight of fallen snow. [Source: AFP, December 18, 2014]

24-Hour Heavy Snow Traffic Jams in Japan

Sometimes heavy snowstorms along the Sea of Japan coast and in northern parts of Japan produce traffic jams so bad they hard to fathom. Heavy snowfall can quickly block roads. In January 2023, a powerful cold wave brought heavy snow and strong winds to large parts of Japan. On Hokkaido, the country's northernmost main island, a pedestrian in Shinshinotsu village died after being blown into a roadside ditch. Heavy snow on expressways in central and western Japan, stranded some motorists for more than 24 hours. [Source: Associated Press, January 26, 2023; Asahi Shimbun, January 24, 2017]

One of the most serious disruptions occurred on the Shin-Meishin Expressway, where long lines of immobilized vehicles stretched for a combined distance of about 34.5 kilometers (21 miles). Emergency workers distributed food and drinking water to stranded drivers while snow-removal crews worked to clear the roadway. As weather conditions improved, transportation authorities gradually reopened sections of the expressway and restored traffic flow.

Similar disruptions occurred during a major snowstorm in January 2017 in Tottori Prefecture and neighboring areas of western Japan. More than 300 vehicles became trapped on highways and major roads after heavy snowfall narrowed roadways and blocked traffic. Some drivers remained stranded for over 15 hours. Volunteers and emergency workers provided assistance by distributing food, fuel, and other supplies to those affected.

The severe weather prompted Tottori Prefecture to request disaster-relief assistance from Japan's Self-Defense Forces. Hundreds of vehicles were immobilized on National Route 373, the Tottori Expressway, and the Yonago Expressway. Towing crews were dispatched to remove stranded vehicles from tunnels and blocked road sections. The Japan Meteorological Agency reported that the storm was caused by an exceptionally cold air mass moving over the Sea of Japan, producing intense snowfall across western and northern regions of the country.

In February 2012, the Yomiuri Shimbun reported: “More than 500 vehicles were stranded on a section of National Highway Route 279 in Yokohama, Aomori Prefecture, after a large truck and a bus skidded and became stuck on the road due to a blizzard, according to police. Aomori Gov. Shingo Mimura asked the head of the Marine Self-Defense Force's Ominato District Headquarters to send a disaster relief team to the town.

“According to the Aomori prefectural government, 250 drivers caught in the gridlock abandoned their vehicles and spent the night at eight public facilities nearby, including an assembly hall and a primary school, opened as temporary shelters by the Yokohama town government and the neighboring city of Mutsu. In response to Mimura's request, 38 MSDF members arrived at the site and checked on the safety of the people in the vehicles. A male passenger of the bus in his 20s was transported by ambulance to a nearby hospital as he felt sick and dizzy. There were no reports of injuries.

“After the blizzard subsided volunteer firefighters and residents of local communities helped remove snow from the road. Vehicles that had been stuck in the snow finally began moving again at about 9:30 a.m. As the prefectural government was still checking on people in vehicles, a 39-kilometer-long section from Mutsu to Noheji in the prefecture remained closed. Local residents also assisted tired drivers and passengers. A 69-year-old liquor shop owner living in Yokohama cooked about 150 rice balls and distributed them to people in their vehicles.

Avalanches in Japan

Lots of Japanese winter hikers, climbers, skiers and snowboarders die every winter in avalanches. In January 2008, four climbers died on 3,180-meter-high Mt. Yarigatake in Takayama, Gifu Prefecture after being engulfed by an avalanche around midnight. The four were with a group of seven that were camped in tents on the mountain. Snows of up to three meters were reported and avalanche warnings had been issued. In November 2011 five skiers were engulfed by an avalanche in the Tateyama area of the Northern Alps. Two of them died. In December four people were killed by an avalanche at a ski resort in the Okudaisen area of Tottori Prefecture.

Nobuhiko Harada wrote in the Yomiuri Shimbun, the "tragedies are believed to have been caused by surface avalanches, which often occur in midwinter when a layer of newly accumulated snow slides off the old layer beneath. The avalanche grows as it collects more snow. To reduce the risk of tragedy, researchers are trying to develop effective methods of predicting avalanches. In the 1970s, researchers led by the University of Toyama began studying avalanches in Kurobe Canyon. That work and other studies across the nation have revealed the true nature of surface avalanches. [Source: Nobuhiko Harada, Yomiuri Shimbun, Yomiuri Shimbun, January 27, 2012]

A total of 78 people died in avalanches in the 1990s, 85 percent of them pursuing a winter sport such as skiing or climbing snow-covered peaks. Two avalanches on March 22, 1982 killed 16 people in 24 hours. In May 2006, three people were killed — one male and two female climbers — and two were rescued in a avalanche near 2,821-meter-high Mt. Harinoki in the Nagano area. In November 2010, a skier was killed and four others were injured in an avalanche in Tateyama-chi in Toyama Prefecture.

In February 2012, the Yomiuri Shimbun reported, one man and two women were killed by an avalanche that occurred around 5 p.m. at a hot spring resort in Semboku, Akita Prefecture, according to police. The 40-meter-wide avalanche struck a bedrock bathing area about 300 meters from a Japanese-style inn at Tamagawa Onsen, the police said. The victims were Etsuko Kusakai, 63, of Izumi Ward, Yokohama; Yoko Masukawa, 65, of Nakano Ward, Tokyo; and Yuzuru Saito, 59, of Semboku. All three were staying at the inn. [Source: Yomiuri Shimbun , February 3, 2012]

In the area where the avalanche hit, three tents set up by the inn for bathers were buried under 1.5 meters of snow. Kusakai and Masukawa died of chest compression, while Saito died of suffocation due to burns in her respiratory tract caused by geothermal heat.

“Tamagawa Onsen is located in Towada-Hachimantai National Park. Many cancer patients visit the resort hoping to enjoy therapeutic effects from the hot spring. After the avalanche, two guests bathing in the same area reported the accident to the inn. They were also buried by the snow, but managed to dig themselves out on their own. Staff members of the inn dug the three victims out of the snow and attempted to revive them with cardiac massages at the site, and then at the inn with an automated external defibrillator. The victims were confirmed dead after being transported to a hospital.

“An avalanche warning for Akita Prefecture was issued, heavy snow and strong winds pummeled areas on the Sea of Japan coast in northern and western Japan. Takeshi Ito, professor emeritus at the Akita National College of Technology, said the accident may have been caused by a surface avalanche, which occurs when a fresh layer of snow slides over a compressed layer. "The speed of surface avalanches can sometimes exceed 100 kilometers per hour. Their destructive force is considerable," Ito said. According to the inn, guests are permitted to use the bedrock bath year-round. Although the inn asks guests to refrain from nighttime bathing, as it becomes dark after 4 p.m., regular visitors prefer bathing at night because the area is less crowded.

Image Sources: 1) Aizu city site 2) Snow Japan 3) Japan Zone 4) 7) Ray Kinnane 5) LIbrary of Congress, 6) Earthquake Image Archives M. Yoshimine, Tokyo Metropolitan University, Wikimedia Commons

Text Sources: Japan National Tourist Organization (JNTO), CIA World Factbook], Library of Congress, Daily Yomiuri, National Geographic, New York Times, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, Smithsonian magazine, Encyclopedia.com, Live Science, The Conversation, The New Yorker, Time, BBC, CNN, Reuters, Associated Press, AFP, Lonely Planet Guides, Google AI, Wikipedia, The Guardian and various websites, books and other publications.

Last updated June 2026