Japan’s Famous Snow Corridor Opens Along Aomori Pref. Road

The Yomiuri Shimbun

12:48 JST, April 2, 2026

AOMORI — A snow corridor featuring massive snow walls on either side of a national route in Aomori Prefecture opened Wednesday after a four-month winter closure.

Snow removal began Feb. 23 along an 8-kilometer section of the Hakkoda-Towada Gold Line, or National Route 103. The route connects Aomori City’s Sukayu area and the Yachi area of Towada City in the prefecture. Removing the snow carves out a spectacular pathway, with walls of snow towering as high as eight meters.

On the opening day, tourists enjoyed taking commemorative photos against the scenic backdrop and drawing pictures on the towering snow walls.

“I was surprised because the snow walls were much taller than I expected,” said a 25-year-old male office worker who visited from Ishioka, Ibaraki Prefecture.

The snow walls are expected to melt earlier than usual as temperatures this year have been higher than average, according to the prefectural tourism policy division. “If you visit earlier, you’ll be able to see larger walls,” a division official said.