Japan was hit by intense snowstorms, throwing parts of the country into chaos in early January.

Footage shows thick snow blanketing the Yamanami Highway in Kyushu's Oita Prefecture on Tuesday January 11.

The southwestern region has experienced milder snowfall compared to Japan's northern and central areas, which were battered by severe blizzards that have left at least eight people dead and hundreds more injured. The snowfall measured is reportedly triple the average amount usually experienced at this time of year.

Authorities said tens of thousands of homes were affected by a power outage across Hokkaido prefecture and the Tohoku region.

The Japan Meteorological Agency forecasted the severe weather, which is caused by two low-pressure systems in the Sea of Japan, to continue until January 14.