Sunday, February 8.
This morning, Tokyo woke up under a quiet blanket of snow.
Around Kaminarimon Gate, Sensō-ji Temple, and the five-story pagoda in Asakusa, the usual crowds and vivid colors feel slightly muted today. Instead, the district is showing a softer, whiter side of itself.
What’s falling isn’t the unpleasant, slushy snow mixed with rain.
These are large, dry flakes drifting slowly through the air — what we call botan-yuki, “peony snow,” named after its big, fluffy shape.
Many visitors are walking without umbrellas. Children reach out to catch the snow, some even trying to taste it, laughing as they go. It’s clear they’re enjoying a snowy Asakusa just as it is.
When people think of Tokyo, snow usually isn’t the first thing that comes to mind.
And it’s true — Tokyo is not a snow city. Winters are often sunny, even cold but clear.
Still, anyone who lives here knows the feeling:
Even when you think, “Maybe it won’t snow this year,” it usually does — at least for a few days.
Especially in recent years, there seems to be a shared sense among Tokyo residents:
Sometime around February, there’s usually one day when snow really falls and actually settles.
February: The Main Character of Tokyo’s Snow
That impression is supported by data as well.
According to recent figures from the Japan Meteorological Agency (2022–2024), Tokyo averages about 9.3 snowy days per year. By month, snowfall days are spread out, with January actually seeing the most days.
But when it comes to how much snow falls, February stands out.
Looking at long-term data from 1961 to 2022 (61 years), days with at least 1 cm of snow in central Tokyo totaled only 214 — already quite rare. Days with 10 cm or more? Just 41 in total.
Snow accumulation itself is unusual in Tokyo.
Yet when cumulative snowfall is broken down by month, a clear pattern appears:
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January: 493 cm
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February: 597 cm (the highest)
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March: 186 cm
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December: just 14 cm
In other words, Tokyo’s snow tends to arrive not often, but in heavier bursts — and mostly in February.
Every few years, there’s a snowfall people remember for a long time:
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February 2014: two major snowstorms, up to 27 cm
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January 2018: 23 cm
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February 2024: three snowy days, up to 9 cm
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February 2023: about 5 cm
Most years see only a few centimeters, or none at all. But February occasionally brings a scene that feels very unlike Tokyo.
This winter started early, too. On January 2, Tokyo’s first snowfall lightly whitened the streets — earlier than usual.
A White Christmas? Almost Never
December snowfall, on the other hand, is extremely rare.
Tokyo almost never has a “white Christmas.”
In fact, snow was recorded on December 25 only twice in the past several decades — in 1970 and 1984. For over 40 years, it hasn’t happened at all.
With warming winters, even the hint of snow in December has become unusual.
So in Tokyo, snow isn’t a December romance —
it’s a February surprise.
Tokyo Used to Be Much Snowier
In the 1940s and 1950s, Tokyo saw far more snow than today.
In February 1945, central Tokyo recorded 38 cm of snow — the second-highest on record. In 1951, it reached 33 cm. Back then, snowstorms frequently caused severe transportation disruptions and power outages.
Heavy snowfall continued into the 1960s–80s. In 1984, Tokyo experienced 27 snowy days and a maximum depth of 22 cm — a truly cold winter by Tokyo standards.
Seen in this historical context, today’s snowfall is relatively mild.
Why Snow Can Still Disrupt Tokyo
A practical note for travelers.
Despite being one of the world’s largest cities, Tokyo isn’t particularly strong against snow. Even a few centimeters can lead to train delays, cancellations, and highway closures.
Every time it snows, people ask:
“If trains run in heavy snow elsewhere, why does Tokyo struggle?”
The reason isn’t poor infrastructure. Simply put, Tokyo doesn’t snow often enough to justify permanent, snow-country-level equipment. Cities built around winter conditions operate under very different assumptions.
Snow especially affects:
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Private railways and suburban JR lines
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Elevated tracks and through-services
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Buses and airport access
On snowy days, Tokyo’s famously precise transportation system slows down — prioritizing safety over punctuality.
Tips for snowy days:
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Allow extra time for long-distance travel and airport access
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Mornings are usually smoother; disruptions increase toward evening
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Staying in walkable areas like Asakusa, Ueno, or Ginza can be a smart choice
Don’t Be Disappointed by Snowy Tokyo
Snow can be inconvenient — but it also reveals a quieter, more photogenic side of the city.
Shrines and temples feel more solemn, gardens turn into white landscapes, and even places like Roppongi or Shibuya can look cinematic as neon lights reflect off falling snow.
For international visitors, snowfall in Tokyo is a rare experience.
If snow appears during your trip, it may not be bad luck at all —
it might be Tokyo showing you a side of itself that only appears once in a while.
Don’t expect the city to run perfectly.
Slow down, take a walk, and enjoy the moment.
That’s the best way to experience Tokyo on a snowy day.
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