WATCH: Heavy snow hits Japan as wintry weather reaches peak

Snow has caused chaos for people in Yuzawa in Japan's Niigata prefecture, which has been blanketed by heavy snow as a cold front set in.

The Japan Meteorological Agency issued a heavy snow advisory on Wednesday morning forecasting up to 70cm (2ft) of snowfall within 24 hours in areas along the Sea of Japan coast.

Fresh snowfall was seen in Niigata prefecture, parts of which have already had more than three metres (10ft) of snow this winter.

Many places will see 30 to 50cm (1 to 1.6ft) of new snowfall by the end of the weekend, with some spots seeing up to a metre (3.3ft) including higher parts of Niigata prefecture.

The peak of the winter weather is expected on Wednesday, with temperatures predicted to rise early next week and the wind moving from the north to the west. Any snow showers will then be restricted to more northern areas.