"7,000 Tourists Stranded" as Record Snowfall in Sapporo Paralyzes New Chitose Airport

[Financial News] Record-breaking snowfall in the Sapporo area of Hokkaido has paralyzed transportation around New Chitose Airport. As a result, reports are mounting of tourists stranded in the area and unable to move.
According to domestic online travel communities and social media on the 26th, posts have been pouring in saying, "All routes are cut off, so there is no way to get out of the airport," "Taxis show up only occasionally, and I've been waiting for more than five hours," and "I can't get a taxi or an Uber."
Others complained of severe transport disruption with messages such as, "I got on a JR train, but it hasn't departed for over 40 minutes," and "There are reports that trains won't be running tomorrow either."
Japan Broadcasting Corporation (NHK) and other local media reported that a developed snow cloud system moved over Hokkaido, bringing record snowfall from the previous day (the 25th) through today. Because of this, the JR Group Rapid Airport train connecting New Chitose Airport and Sapporo, as well as airport buses, have largely been suspended.
The heavy snow forced 140 Rapid Airport trains to stop running just on the previous day alone, and about 7,000 passengers reportedly spent the night at New Chitose Airport. Long lines formed at the taxi stands, but with few vehicles arriving, it has been extremely difficult for people to get anywhere.
The snowfall has been record-setting in both snow depth and accumulation. According to the Japan Weather Association, as of noon on the 25th, snow depth in Sapporo reached 101 centimeters, surpassing 1 meter for the first time since the 2021–2022 season. In particular, the 12-hour snowfall up to 11 a.m. was measured at 38 centimeters, the highest January figure since statistics began in 2000.
Weather authorities reported that transportation disruptions continue, including flight cancellations at New Chitose Airport, suspension and delays on JR Group lines connecting central Sapporo with the suburbs, and closures on major expressways.
Imai Gie, a forecaster at the Japan Weather Association, predicted, "The snow is not expected to ease until sometime after midday on the 26th." JR Hokkaido has begun snow removal operations but stated that it will be difficult to resume services even by 1 p.m. today.
Authorities warned that towering snowbanks are creating serious risks of traffic accidents in blind spots and of people becoming trapped during snow removal work. They urged travelers to avoid unnecessary movement and to take extra care to stay safe.


hsg@fnnews.com Han Seung-gon Reporter