Many of Tokyo's parks were transformed into gorgeous snowscapes!

Everywhere, people were shoveling sidewalks and helping clear paths for pedestrians.

Have you seen this before? Before winter comes to many areas around Japan, tree branches will be supported by rope so they will not break under the weight of snow. Although this approach is not necessarily taken everywhere in Tokyo, the winter rope supports at Kenrokuen garden in Kanazawa in the Hokuriku district are very famous!

The Live Japan editorial team made a snowman in the park this morning, too! (With 1 yen coins for eyes, and of course twigs and leaves to complete his cool attire!) Since mikan (Mandarin oranges) are quite popular winter fruit for Japanese, we felt our snowbuddy would enjoy one, too!

Over 12cm of snow remained even in the morning!

All the park benches were covered with snow!

It seemed that most of the people around town this morning were wearing their snow boots. Although Tokyo only receives snow once or twice a year, snow boots nevertheless come in handy!

One of the Live Japan editorial staff lives in the Tama area of Tokyo, which is about 90 minutes from the city's center. Quite a bit of snow fell there!

Snow covered everything - even parked bicycles outside!

Although snow rarely accumulates so much in Tokyo, when it does stick, it can really cause a mess! Visitors to Tokyo need to pay special attention to transportation announcements made as well, so as to avoid getting stranded at a station. In any case, keep the following four points in mind for when it snows in Tokyo:

1) Subway and railway service will be canceled or delayed
As was the case last night, virtually all of the major train and subway lines experienced delays and service cancellations. Major train stations which serve JR as well as multiple private lines, such as Shinagawa, Shinjuku and Ikebukuro, quickly filled with people looking for alternative ways to get home.

2) Snow tires are typically not used in Tokyo—When it snows, traffic slows!
In certain areas, use of bridges and highways may become restricted to vehicles with snow tires or chains, and in some cases roads may close entirely. Last night, traffic bound for Rainbow Bridge over Tokyo Bay ground to a halt as the bridge closed due to several accidents on ramps.

3) Flights will also be canceled
Arrivals and departures at both Haneda and Narita airports experienced delays and cancellations.

4) Take care not to slip and fall!
Tokyo Fire Department announced on January 22 that by 9pm, the number of those injured from serious slips on snow or ice reached 67 people. With victims aged everywhere between 19 and 87 years old, all age groups are at risk of fall. When it snows in Tokyo, please take extra care!