More than 100 Seek Refuge in Japanese Shrine Amid Heavy Snowfall

Over 100 People Take Shelter in Mountain Shrine

Approximately 130 individuals were forced to take refuge inside the Mitsumine Shinto Shrine in Saitama Prefecture after heavy snowfall blocked access routes. Local authorities confirmed that occupants of around 50 vehicles spent the night in the shrine's hallways and chambers, with no reports of anyone falling ill.

Currently, Japan is experiencing severe snowstorms, with some areas expecting up to 40 cm of snowfall on Saturday. Over the past 72 hours, certain regions have recorded accumulations of up to 80 cm. These weather conditions have resulted in the closure of roads surrounding the Mitsumine Shrine, due to multiple accidents, including vehicles skidding off the road, according to NHK reports.

Temperatures in the area have dropped to -15°C, creating icy conditions. The Mitsumine Shrine, situated at an altitude of 1,110 meters near the city of Chichibu, holds significant cultural importance as a Shinto worship place dedicated to the deities Izanami and Izanagi, believed to be the creators of the Japanese islands. It is said that the shrine was founded in the 1st century by Prince Yamato Takeru no Mikoto, the son of Emperor Keikō.