Passengers were stranded at an airport as heavy snowfall disrupted travel in northern Japan.

Footage shows distressed travellers forced to sit on the floor at New Chitose Airport in Hokkaido on January 25.

Around 7,000 holidaymakers spent the night at the airport on Sunday after 56 flights connecting the northern hub with other major cities were cancelled due to the snow.

The extreme weather is part of one of the country's most prolonged and severe cold spells in years, driven by strong Siberian air masses.

Heavy snowfall has blanketed large areas, with parts of the Hokuriku region recording snow depths of up to 100 centimetres.

Authorities have issued widespread blizzard warnings, with travel disruptions reported from Hokkaido in the north to Kyushu in the south.

Officials continue to urge motorists to avoid non-essential travel and remain alert as heavy snow and strong winds persist.