HOKKAIDO - Travel conditions across Hokkaido were showing signs of improvement on Wednesday morning, November 11, following heavy snowfall and freezing temperatures that disrupted rail services and prompted warnings for air travelers and motorists, with railway information updated at 4:23 a.m. showing no major delays or cancellations across the prefecture's principal routes.
The improvement follows a difficult start to the week as cold air brought midwinter-like conditions to northern Japan, causing snowfall across western and northern Hokkaido and creating hazardous conditions on roads and railway lines. While the weather has begun to settle, travelers are being advised to remain cautious as freezing temperatures, accumulated snow and rapidly changing conditions continue to pose risks.
JR Hokkaido experienced a series of operational problems on November 10, including delays caused by frozen train braking equipment. The railway reported at 8:20 a.m. that freezing had affected some services in the Sapporo metropolitan and central Hokkaido areas, highlighting the challenges posed by the sudden arrival of winter conditions.
Other railway disruptions were unrelated to the weather. Damage to rail surfaces exceeding safety limits led to cancellations and delays in northern and central Hokkaido, while collisions involving deer caused additional problems on regional routes.
A train traveling between Otoineppu and Wakkanai struck a deer between Osashima and Saku stations on the Soya Line on the evening of November 9. A separate deer collision on the Hanasaki Line between Bettoga and Ochiishi disrupted services connecting Kushiro and Nemuro, with some cancellations carrying over into November 10.
By early November 11, railway operating information showed normal services on major routes, including the Hakodate Main Line between Otaru, Sapporo, Iwamizawa and Asahikawa, the Chitose Line serving New Chitose Airport, the Gakuen-Toshi Line, the Soya Main Line and the Sekihoku Main Line. No widespread railway shutdown was reported, although individual services remain subject to operational changes.
Air travelers also faced uncertainty during the cold spell. Japan Airlines warned that flights using Sapporo's Okadama Airport could be affected by snowfall on November 10, while All Nippon Airways identified Wakkanai Airport as another location where weather conditions could cause delays, cancellations, diversions or aircraft returning to their departure airports.
At New Chitose Airport, Hokkaido's main aviation gateway, snowfall on November 9 raised concerns about runway conditions, aircraft deicing and visibility. Some flights between Hokkaido and Tokyo experienced delays that evening, although the causes of individual delays were not confirmed as weather-related.
There was no confirmed widespread shutdown of New Chitose Airport in the information available for November 10. Travelers using the airport are nevertheless being encouraged to check flight-specific operating information and allow additional time for connections, particularly when transferring between aircraft and trains.
Road travel remained a significant concern on Wednesday morning, with icy surfaces forcing speed restrictions and winter tire requirements across large sections of Hokkaido's expressway network.
According to road traffic information updated at 5:45 a.m. on November 11, a 50-kilometer-per-hour speed limit was in effect on sections of the Do-O Expressway between Shibetsu-Kenbuchi and Fukagawa Junction, Mikasa and Sapporo, and Sapporo Junction and Sapporo-Minami. Winter tires were mandatory on those stretches because of freezing conditions.
Farther south, the expressway between Sapporo-Minami and Eniwa was subject to an 80-kilometer-per-hour restriction, while a section between Toyoura and Oshamambe had a 50-kilometer-per-hour limit and winter tire requirements. The restrictions indicated that hazardous driving conditions persisted despite the improvement in railway operations.
The road conditions are particularly important for visitors planning to travel between Sapporo and destinations such as Otaru, Niseko, Furano and Asahikawa, where journeys often involve mountain roads or exposed stretches of highway. Even when snowfall has stopped, overnight freezing can leave untreated roads slippery, especially on bridges, shaded sections and mountain passes.
Bus transportation also remains vulnerable to road conditions. Airport buses and intercity services can experience delays when expressway speed restrictions are imposed, while local services may be affected by snow clearance or temporary road closures. Travelers are advised to check directly with operators rather than assume that normal railway operations mean all road transportation has returned to schedule.
The latest weather forecast suggests that the cold spell will begin to ease later in the week. Sapporo is expected to remain cold on November 11, with a high of around 5 degrees Celsius and a low near minus 2 degrees, accompanied by cloudy skies and occasional snow.
Temperatures are forecast to rise to around 11 degrees on November 12 and 13 degrees on November 13, bringing more comfortable conditions to the city and reducing the immediate risk of additional widespread snowfall at lower elevations.
However, the warmer daytime weather does not eliminate the danger of overnight freezing, particularly in inland districts where temperatures can fall below zero even when coastal areas are relatively mild.
The changing conditions mark an early reminder of Hokkaido's demanding winter travel environment. The island's transportation network covers long distances across mountainous and sparsely populated regions, making some routes especially vulnerable to sudden snowfall, reduced visibility and freezing conditions.
For international visitors, the most important connections include New Chitose Airport and central Sapporo, rail services toward Otaru and Asahikawa, and road transportation to ski resorts and rural sightseeing destinations. Delays on one section of the network can affect onward travel arrangements, particularly when flights, trains and buses are booked separately.
While the latest reports indicate that Hokkaido's major railway services have largely returned to normal, the continuing highway restrictions and possibility of further snowfall mean travelers should allow additional time, confirm transportation arrangements before departure and ensure rental vehicles are equipped for winter conditions.
The outlook for the remainder of the week is more favorable, with milder temperatures expected across much of the region, although another period of snow is possible early next week.
