Road and rail traffic around Tokyo remains partially blocked as a heavy snowfall that began Monday afternoon persisted into Tuesday morning. Local officials and the Japan Traffic Information Center reported that the storm disrupted major routes and prompted warnings to drivers to stay off the roads unless necessary. Snow accumulation created slick conditions, halted some lane access, and slowed travel across the metropolitan region as crews worked to clear snow and restore normal flow.
Many highway entrances into central Tokyo and surrounding suburbs were closed or restricted until the storm passes and safety concerns are addressed. Authorities advised motorists to avoid non-essential trips and to ensure their vehicles are equipped with winter tires or chains before venturing out. The precautionary measures reflect a broader push to prevent accidents and keep traffic moving once visibility improves and plowing operations advance.
In the Tokyo metro area, several train lines experienced service interruptions. Rail operators indicated that service would gradually resume and aimed to restore full operations within the day, but travelers were encouraged to check live updates because schedules could shift. Airport operations also felt the impact, with a total of 27 flights canceled at the capital’s airports on Tuesday as crews managed weather-related delays and safety checks.
Power outages affected about 1,800 homes across Tokyo Prefecture and neighboring Kanagawa and Saitama, according to Tokyo Electric Power. Utility crews prioritized restoring essential services, prioritizing areas with vulnerable residents and critical infrastructure. Residents were advised to conserve energy while restoration efforts continued and outages were being addressed with temporary generation and repair work where needed.
Snow depth varied widely across the region. In central Tokyo, the snow cover reached around 7 cm, while higher elevations and mountainous zones reported daily accumulations near 40 cm in some locations. The contrast between urban and rural snowfall underscored the challenge for those commuting through the city where street-level clearing competes with the demands of a dense urban grid, and in higher terrain where weather systems deliver heavier loads of fresh snow day after day.
Earlier in the season, another snowfall event left a broader disruption pattern, with half a million residents in another area experiencing power outages. This earlier impact served as a reminder of how critical rapid response and coordinated communication are for maintaining essential services and mobility when weather events strike. As responders continue to work around the clock, the emphasis remains on safety, clear guidance for travelers, and swift restoration of power and transit networks to return daily life to normal as soon as possible.