Winter in Japan is also a time of heavy snowfall, especially in the mountainous regions. The Japan Meteorological Agency defines heavy snowfall as a daily snowfall of 1 inch (2.5 cm) or more. In the Tohoku region, heavy snowfall occurs on an average of 20 days per year, while in Hokkaido it occurs on an average of 40 days per year.
Winter is a popular time to visit Japan, as the country offers a number of winter activities such as skiing, snowboarding, and ice skating. It is also a time of many festivals, such as the Sapporo Snow Festival and the Otaru Snow Light Path Festival.