Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

A woman walks in the falling snow in Tokyo. Alamy Stock Photo
Japan

Rare snow in Tokyo forces over one hundred domestic flight cancellations

The Japan Meteorological Agency issued a heavy snow alert for the city for the first time since 2018.

SNOW HAS BLANKETED Tokyo today as hours of flurries forced the cancellation of over a hundred domestic flights and the weather agency issued the city’s first heavy snow warning in four years.

Residents held umbrellas and pushed their bicycles as large snowflakes began to settle, with the Japan Meteorological Agency saying up to 10 centimetres (four inches) could fall over a 12-hour period.

The JMA issued a heavy snow alert for the Tokyo area for the first time since 2018, warning of potential disruption to traffic.

The snow caused the cancellation of 66 departing and 53 arriving domestic flights at the Japanese capital’s main airport Haneda, an airport official told AFP, but no international flights were cancelled.

Some commuter trains in Tokyo were delayed due to heavy snow, JR East railway operator said on its website.

On Twitter, the weather agency warned residents that “caution for heavy snow is warranted” in central Tokyo.

“Heavy snow warnings are being issued… The affected areas might be expanded. Please check the latest weather and traffic information!”

tokyo-japan-6th-jan-2022-snow-falls-over-the-sensoji-temple-in-asakusa-heavy-snowfall-hit-tokyo-for-the-first-time-in-the-year-credit-image-rodrigo-reyes-marinzuma-press-wire-credit Snow falls over the Sensoji Temple in Asakusa. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

At Sensoji Temple in central Tokyo, a popular tourist destination, some visitors dressed in traditional kimono and “geta” wooden sandals with split-toe socks walked past the landmark’s red columns and golden bells as snowflakes fell.

The scene was more prosaic for commuters stuck navigating the rare weather event in the Ginza shopping and business district.

“It’s kind of unusual that it snows this much in Tokyo in January,” Tokyo worker Keiichi Masuda, 37, said as he hurried home.

“I need to be careful not to slip as I walk.”

tokyo-japan-6th-jan-2022-a-park-is-blanketed-with-snow-in-tokyo-on-thursday-january-6-2022-a-heavy-snowfall-warning-is-issued-in-tokyo-metropolitan-area-the-first-time-in-four-years-credit-y A park is blanketed with snow in Tokyo. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

But others in the area were taking the time to soak up the unusual snowfall, including Tokyo resident Shigeko Nagahama, 73, who was taking pictures of the iconic Kabukiza Theatre.

She stood alongside others enjoying the snow settling on the traditional architecture of the building that hosts kabuki performances.

“It’s a beautiful sight. The snow lends a quaint aura to it, I think,” she said.

© AFP 2022

Your Voice
Readers Comments
9
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy here before taking part.
Leave a Comment
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.

    Leave a commentcancel