Every year, usually in February, it snows at least once in Tokyo. The snow doesn’t usually last very long, nor is it very heavy, but it brings a true feeling of winter with it. The atmosphere of Tokyo; usually fast paced and charged with energy, changes when the snow falls, and everyone slows down so they can enjoy this rare event..

The snow literally transforms Tokyo from a city of sky scrapers and commuter trains into a wonderland full of hidden beauty. Even the busiest areas of Tokyo cannot escape the excitement that the snow brings with it.

■Shibuya Station

Shibuya Crossing.

Umbrellas in the crossing.

In Japan people use umbrellas when it snows. You have to walk a lot, especially in Tokyo, between the train stations, your work, home, and even the super market, so it is very common for people to protect themselves and their bags by carrying an umbrella.

And elderly woman waiting in the snow.

Enjoying the city under snow.

Old fashion telephone booth.

Heavy snowfall.

Tokyo Taxi.

When it snows people who normally walk or ride bicycles tend to utilize the buses and taxis more than usual. This sometimes makes the buses crowded and taxis very busy.

Peaceful torii transformed by the snow.

■Yoyogi Park

Footprints in the snow.

The city has been transformed into a winter wonderland.

Snow clinging everywhere.

Friends sticking together during this rare snowy day.

Yoyogi has been changed from a city park into a winter forest.

■Meiji Shrine(Meiji Jingu)

Snow covered torii.

Peace and quiet in the snow.

Snow weighing down the branches.

Amazing!

Torii

Inside the shrine.

A million tiny snowflakes.

Wish and prayer boards.

A quite place to enjoy the snow.

The amount of snow is breathtaking!

A path through the snowy paradise.

Meiji-jingu is famous shrine located in the heart of Tokyo, and it’s usually full of people relaxing, or tourists taking photos. But today the snow seems to have kept almost everyone away, allowing the shrine to take on an otherworldly feeling. The snow not only added beauty to an already amazing place, but it gave it a completely different atmosphere.

■Harajuku Station

The Shonan-Shinjuku train plowing through the snow.

The Yamanote train pulling up to Harajuku station.

If you are in Tokyo when it snows please enjoy! But do be careful. Many of the sidewalks don’t get cleared off, and the snow can build up and become slippery. Also the trains are sometimes delayed.

So it’s best to just take it easy and slowly enjoy a snowy day in Tokyo!