Motorists struggled through thick snow as blizzards battered Hokkaido.

Footage shows extreme blizzard conditions overwhelming an urban road in Higashi Ward, Sapporo, as a powerful winter storm hit the northern part of the country.

The filmer said: 'The Kitako Line has been congested all along, and the gas station across the street is not visible.'

Faint red taillights from vehicles ahead glowed weakly through the storm, while streetlights and traffic signals appeared blurry on Tuesday.

The severe weather struck as part of a winter storm system affecting Hokkaido and much of Japan from January 10 to January 13, driven by a strong cold air mass and winter pressure patterns.

Officials urged locals and tourists to avoid unnecessary travel, take extra care on roads, and follow weather updates as crews worked to clear key routes.