Police officers investigate the site where three people were found in a state of cardiac arrest after they were caught in an avalanche in Senboku, Akita prefecture, in this photo taken by Kyodo February 2, 2012. The three victims were killed after they were caught in the avalanche while taking a bedrock bath at a hot spring inn. Heavy snow and blizzards hit areas along the Sea of Japan on Wednesday, with the weather agency warning of continuous heavy snowfall till Friday, local media reports
People walk past vehicles stranded in heavy snow on Route 279 in Aomori prefecture, in this photo taken by Kyodo February 2, 2012. Heavy snow and blizzards hit areas along the Sea of Japan on Wednesday, with the weather agency warning of continuous heavy snowfall till Friday, local media reports. More than 4 meters of snow have accumulated in Aomori city's Sukayu hot spring area by Wednesday, while some areas of Yamagata and Niigata prefectures had snow over 3 meters deep, the Japan Meteorological Agency said
A trolley moves along a street covered with snow in Toyama on February 1, 2012 as a cold front dumps heavy snow on many parts of the country. Heavy snow fell in areas along the Sea of Japan, with the weather agency warning of continued snowfall mainly in the Hokuriku region in central Japan
