Snowfall depths Japan 2023, by major location

In December 2023, the depth of fallen snow in Aomori, Japan amounted to around 126 centimeters, making it the region with the largest snowfall in that month. Akita followed, with 64 centimeters of snowfall depths. In contrast, Gifu and Yamaguchi prefecture had only one centimeter of fallen snow each.

 Temperatures in Japan

Japan hosts contrasting climate regions, varying from a humid continental climate in the north to a subtropical climate in the south. While temperatures in Naha, which is situated in the southernmost prefecture Okinawa, rise to over 28 degrees Celsius between July and September, temperatures only reach about 24 degrees Celsius in Sapporo, on the northern main island Hokkaido. January tends to be the coldest month on the archipelago, with heavy snowfall mainly occurring in mountainous regions on Hokkaido and northern parts of Honshu.

 Winter activities and events in Japan

The snowy mountainous regions of northern Japan pose ideal conditions for winter sports, with skiing and snowboarding representing popular sports. But the industry is facing multiple challenges as the winters get milder, resulting in less snowfall. One of Japan's most famous winter events is the Sapporo Snow Festival. Over two million visitors come to Sapporo every year to see snow statues and ice sculptures. The festival is held during the first two weeks of February.