Plowing starts to create ‘snow walls’ on Japan’s Northern AlpsーNHK WORLD-JAPAN NEWS #shorts
Plowing began on a scenic Japanese mountain road, famous for its towering “snow walls,” on February 11.
The Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route links the prefectures of Toyama and Nagano, but is buried under deep snow during winter and closed to traffic. Work to reopen it usually starts around this time of year and is seen as a sign of approaching spring.
At around 10 am, snow removal workers opened a gate on the road in Tateyama, Toyama Prefecture, to start digging out. Snow this year has been heavier than usual.
Workers will use 22 large snow removal vehicles to clear a 31-kilometer section of the road up to Murodo, 2,450 meters above sea level.
The road is famous for the towering snow walls created by plowing.
Plans are for it to be fully open by April 15.