Heavy Snow Forces Over 100 to Seek Shelter at Japanese Shrine

Tue Feb 03 2026 10:46:38 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Around 130 individuals were stranded and took refuge in the Mitsumine Shrine in Japan's Saitama prefecture due to heavy snowfall and road closures. Thankfully, no injuries were reported among the occupants.

In Japan's Saitama prefecture, heavy snowfall has forced more than 100 people to shelter in the Mitsumine Shrine after road access was cut off. Local authorities reported that about 130 individuals, who were in approximately 50 vehicles, spent the night in the shrine without any reported health issues. The region continues to face severe winter conditions with heavy snow accumulation expected in the following days.

More than 100 people have had to shelter in a shrine on a mountain top in Japan after heavy snowfall cut off access by road.

Around 130 people were forced to spend the night in the halls and lobbies of the Mitsumine Shrine in the Saitama prefecture on Friday after the roads around it were closed due to safety concerns, public broadcaster NHK reports.

The local authority confirmed that occupants of around 50 cars stayed in the shrine building, and said no one had fallen ill.

Japan is experiencing heavy snowfall at present, with up to 40cm forecast to fall in some parts on Saturday.

Up to 80cm of snow has fallen in some parts of the country in the past 72 hours, according to data from the Japan Meteorological Agency, with more predicted as a cold front persists.

Several accidents around the Mitsumine Shrine involving slipping cars prompted the road closure, NHK reported, citing local police.

Temperatures have dropped as low as -15C, creating icy conditions in the region.

Located 1,110m (3,640 ft) above sea level in the mountains near the city of Chichibu, the Mitsumine Shrine is a popular Shinto worship center dedicated to Izanami and Izanagi, the legendary couple credited with creating the Japanese islands. The shrine is said to have been founded in the 1st Century by Prince Yamato Takeru no Mikoto, son of Emperor Keikō.