The ‘snowiest country in the world’ – it’s not Norway or Canada

If you want to visit a snow-covered winter wonderland, you might look towards Norway, Canada, or perhaps Finland.

But if you want to visit the snowiest country in the world, you’ll have to travel a lot further from the UK—but it’s more than worth it.

Japan is the snowiest country in the world, with many parts covered by blankets of snow for months on end—sometimes high enough to cover entire houses.

Just this week, the city of Obihiro recorded a record-high of 120 cm in just 12 hours. While a bit of snowfall here in the UK can bring life to a standstill, in Japan, they’re far more used to it, with several innovative measures in place to keep things running throughout the coldest months.

These include heated pavements and a warm water system to prevent snow from building up on railway tracks.

Homes must also be built with reinforced roofs to withstand the weight of snow, while residents must have specialised clearing equipment. Local authorities also run awareness campaigns to teach citizens how to deal with snowfall safely and efficiently.

Despite this, snow still causes disruption to daily life, with delays at airports and on the roads common. To keep disruption to a minimum, Japanese metrologists have developed advanced weather forecasting systems and emergency plans to ensure they can move quickly.

Winter tourism is also a massive source of income for Japan, with tens of thousands flocking to Japan’s skiing and snowboarding resorts in the winter months.

Here are some of the snowiest places in Japan if you’re planning a visit.

Aomori – the snowiest city in the world

The city of Aomori, located in Aomori Prefecture, in the far north of Japan’s main island, Honshu, is the snowiest city in the world. It receives an average of 312 inches—about eight metres, or 26 feet—of snowfall every year, most of which falls between November and April.

In the depths of winter, snowbanks stand several metres high along the cleared roads.

Metrologists have attributed the trend to the city’s location between Mutsu Bay and the Hakkoda Mountains. Here, cold air and moisture collide, accelerating cloud formation and providing atmospheric conditions conducive to heavy snowstorms.

As a coastal city, Aomori is particularly well-known for the quality of its sushi and seafood, traditional Japanese tipple sake, and—in the summer—apples.

Aomori is also home to the spectacular Nebuta Festival, which every summer sees the city lit up by a parade of incredible illuminated floats.

The nearby Hakkoda Mountains also provide some of the most spectacular scenery in the world and are famous for their ‘snow monsters’ – trees covered in layers of snow and ice.

The Aomori Nebuta Museum WA-RASSE is also a must-visit when in the city.

Sapporo

If eight metres sounds a little much for you, you could instead opt for Sapporo on the northern island of Hokkaido – which experiences a mere five meters – or around 191 inches – per year.

The city is famous for its annual Snow Festival, held in February. During this festival, the city is filled with incredible ice sculptures, the largest of which stand up to 50 feet—or 15 metres—tall. The festival attracts more than two million visitors every year, who flock to the city from all over the world to see the sculptures, which are illuminated at night, providing a spectacular display perfect for making your followers green with envy.

It was the first city in Asia to host the Winter Olympics in 1972 and, unsurprisingly, is a haven for skiers and snowboarders. The nearby Niseko Ski Resort is famous around the world for its slopes and stunning views.

Despite its heavy snowfall, the city also enjoys balmy summer temperatures of up to 36 degrees, if you’re more of a sunshine person.

If the name Sapporo sounds familiar, it’s probably because the city is home to Japan’s oldest beer brand, exported worldwide. The city’s Beer Museum is a must-visit for anyone who wants to learn more.

Sapporo’s high snowfall is due mostly to the southward flow of icy air from eastern Siberia.

Toyama

The capital of the Toyama Prefecture is located in central Honsu on the coast of the Sea of Japan.

Despite its humid subtropical climate, Toyama experiences around 143 metres of snow every year, all of which falls in a four-month period between December and March—with January usually being the snowiest month.

Toyama, Japan’s centre for medicine and pharmaceuticals, is used by many as a gateway to skiing and snowboarding in the Japanese Alps. The nearby Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route is one of the most famous locations in the world for snow lovers. Designed to showcase the dramatic scenery of Mount Tate, or Tateyama, the sightseeing route is closed from December to early April. However, you can still see towering snow walls along the roads well into the summer.

The city itself has plenty to offer, too, with art galleries, museums, and historical landmarks.