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Record Snow Paralyzes Hokkaido Transport, Stranding Thousands

JR Hokkaido projects a Monday afternoon restart after track clearing.

Overview

  • About 7,000 people stayed overnight at New Chitose Airport after heavy snow halted rail links and flights.
  • Hokkaido Railway suspended 545 train services on Sunday, including the Airport rapid between Sapporo and New Chitose.
  • By 8:50 a.m. Monday, 405 additional train cancellations were confirmed as crews continued snow removal.
  • Hokkaido Airports reported 56 flight cancellations connecting New Chitose with major cities.
  • Sapporo’s Chuo Ward recorded 64 cm of snow in 48 hours through 9 a.m. Monday, the heaviest there since records began in 1999, following a 24-hour January record of 54 cm.