The Meteorological Agency issued a warning Sunday for blizzards and high waves in northern Japan, and said heavy snow is expected to hit coastal areas along the Sea of Japan through Tuesday.
It also warned of avalanches, lightning and tornadoes along the Sea of Japan coast.
More than 50 cm of snow had fallen within 24 hours as of 4 p.m. in several areas facing the Sea of Japan, with the town of Tsunan, Niigata Prefecture, receiving 79 cm, the agency said.
In the 24 hours through Monday evening, up to 90 cm of snow is expected to fall in the central Hokuriku region, 80 cm in Tohoku, 70 cm in the Kanto-Koshin area, 60 cm in Hokkaido, and 50 cm in the Kinki, Tokai and Chugoku regions.