During winter, cold, dry winds blow from Siberia across the . As this frigid air travels over the relatively warm sea water, it sucks up enormous amounts of moisture. When that moisture-laden air hits the mountains on Japan’s west coast, it is forced upwards, cools rapidly, and dumps the moisture as intense, lake-effect snow .
Snow is rarely part of that postcard.
Given its depiction in pop culture (think Lost in Translation or Godzilla stomping through a temperate Tokyo), many travelers are surprised to learn the truth: does it ever snow in japan