A horse walked through 4ft deep snow blanketing northern Japan.

Footage shows the pony ambling through the thick waist-high powder in a field at Tokachi Hills in Hokkaido on February 4.

The city was battered by continuous snowfall, resulting in record levels of 4ft (1m) of snow in just 12 hours.

Local media reported that the severe winter conditions caused major disruptions to traffic and air travel. The extreme snowfall forced more than 370 schools to close.

Heavy snowfall was also recorded in Kushiro and Sapporo, with authorities receiving dozens of calls from stranded drivers across Hokkaido.

The Japan Meteorological Agency said two powerful low-pressure systems are moving on both sides of the country, bringing cold air into the region.

The agency predicted up to 3.2 ft (1 m) of snowfall in northwestern Japan and an additional 1.6 ft (0.49 m) in Hokkaido over the next 24 hours through Wednesday evening.

Authorities are urging residents to stay alert as heavy snow, potential transportation disruptions, and high waves along coastal areas are expected to persist.