Over 100 People Seek Shelter in Japanese Shrine Due to Heavy Snow

Over 100 People Trapped by Snowfall

Approximately 130 people had to seek refuge at the Mitsumine Shrine, located in a mountainous area of Japan, after heavy snowfall blocked road access. They spent Friday night in the halls and corridors of the shrine in Saitama Prefecture, following authorities' decision to halt traffic for safety reasons.

The local authority confirmed that individuals in about 50 vehicles were sheltered within the shrine building, with no reports of anyone suffering from illness. Japan is currently experiencing intense snowfall, with forecasts predicting up to 40 cm of snow in certain areas for Saturday. In the last 72 hours, various regions have recorded up to 80 cm of snowfall, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency.

Several accidents, including skidding vehicles, led to the closure of the road surrounding the Mitsumine Shrine, according to local police reports. In the area, the snow accumulation reached 4 cm, with temperatures dropping to -15°C, creating freezing conditions. The shrine, situated at an altitude of 1,110 meters near the city of Chichibu, is an important Shinto worship site dedicated to the deities Izanami and Izanagi, considered the creators of the Japanese islands.