Nearly a thousand trains canceled due to

On Japan's Hokkaido island, nearly a thousand trains were canceled due to heavy snowfall. Strong winds and deep snow hindered safe railway operations, forcing operators to cancel routes. Regional authorities report that the cancellations will be temporary, but passengers are advised to seek alternative transportation. Travel by motorcycles and cars is also difficult due to wet snow and road icing.

Train cancellations affected numerous Hokkaido cities, including Otaru, Sapporo, and Hakodate, where trains had high passenger traffic during the peak winter holiday season. According to transportation agencies, this event is not unprecedented: winter weather frequently causes disruptions in railway service on the island, where snowfall typically ranges from 80 to 200 cm during snowy months.

Context

Hokkaido often faces extreme snow conditions during winter, frequently causing railway service disruptions and requiring passengers to adjust their travel plans.