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Downtown Tokyo saw its heaviest snowfall for years this Monday, causing travel chaos throughout the city. Cars were stranded and abandoned on roads, trains stopped running and people were left stuck at the airport as 250 international flights were cancelled.

“It hasn't snowed in Tokyo in four years,” Tokyo resident Yukimura, which coincidentally enough means 'Snow Village' in Japanese, told Bored Panda. “Four years ago we had even heavier snow and a lot less prep. This time everyone except me knew it was coming, apparently. Was a fun surprise for me though!”

What to do in the face of such a situation? Make snowmen of course! But wait, before you grab a carrot, some pebbles and a couple of sticks for arms, remember, this is Japan. Your three-ball standard fat guy snowman ain’t gonna cut it here. Yukimura explains the story behind the Japanese snowman. “The name for snowman, Yuki Daruma, doesn't mean snowman, it means snow daruma,” she told us. “Daruma is from the Daruma doll, which is based on Bodhidharma, a Buddhist monk who, according to the tales, had his arms and legs fall off during meditation. That's why Japanese snowmen have only two layers.”

It appears the Japanese attitude to snow sculptures is much more developed than what we are used to in Europe and North America. What else would you expect from the land that produces some of the most beautiful, creative and cool artworks and innovations in the world? Tokyo is dotted with snow sculptures that will put a smile on your face, and put old carrot nose in your backyard to shame. They are being shared on Twitter via the trending hashtag #雪だるま, and are proving to be wildly popular!

Did Yukimura get out and make a snowman herself? “I did! I had to clean up a bunch of snow outside of work today, and while I was waiting for a turn with the snow shovel I made up a little one for the sign leading to our cafe,” she told Bored Panda. “It's not as cute as the rest though!”

Scroll down to check out some of the best examples out there, compiled for your convenience into a list by Bored Panda. Don’t forget to vote for your favourite, and let us know what you think in the comments!

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    #11

    Heavy-Snow-Tokyo

    tontonton2017 Report

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    Alia G.
    Community Member
    6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Some of these are just so incredible... I would think this one to be an actual sculpture by a professional! It makes me sad to think of them melting.. kinda wanna see a time lapse of it being made and melting. Jeez i make long comments.

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    #71

    Heavy Snow Tokyo

    akko_twitt Report

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    #75

    Heavy Snow Tokyo

    BBXSI Report

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    Bruce Masters
    Community Member
    6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    they are called daruma. when you buy them, only one eye is painted black. after you pass an examination, or elected a leader etc, you fill in the other eye.

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    #84

    Heavy Snow Tokyo

    c0upannu Report

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    Kami
    Community Member
    6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It's the same seen earlier, but at night and with another point of view.

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    #91

    Heavy-Snow-Tokyo

    miyu00023 Report

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    #93

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    mirika_tatsuta Report

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    #99

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    htrr.mama Report

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    #100

    Heavy-Snow-Tokyo

    yukiev411 Report

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    alwright
    Community Member
    6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    idk but iv'e always found Tomas the train a little creepy...

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    #103

    Heavy-Snow-Tokyo

    tetsuya_kato Report

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    Erin welch
    Community Member
    6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    AGAIN WITH THE CUTE KID! WISHING HE WAS MINE NO! WISHING I COULD SPOIL HIM AND THEN SEND HIM HOME, YES!

    #106

    Heavy Snow Tokyo

    ami_mari_a Report

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    #107

    Heavy Snow Tokyo

    civil_98tc107 Report

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    #108

    Heavy Snow Tokyo

    JENOCK1042 Report

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    #109

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    sekito_kei Report

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    #117

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    yove_yove Report

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    #118

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    sugar_rose.mako Report

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    #119

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    RQvDD4q9a33pbvp Report

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    Margot Piasecka
    Community Member
    6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It's never too cold to feel love and to share you heart. Like this one a lot.

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    #120

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    rantana_komachi Report

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    #122

    Heavy Snow Tokyo

    maicat91 Report

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    #123

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    sweet_honey_f Report

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    #125

    Heavy Snow Tokyo

    0125_arashi Report

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    #130

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    ZEKE_Onodera Report

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    #132

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    fuchukoma Report

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    #133

    Heavy Snow Tokyo

    eibigabaidega Report

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    #134

    Heavy Snow Tokyo

    MORITA_YUUKI Report

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    #136

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    piccolo_linus.kyara Report

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    #137

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    ldaasyts Report

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    #138

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    Dpan_com Report

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    #139

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    norarikrr Report

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    #140

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    miho_aoyagi Report

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    Ellie Ragsdale
    Community Member
    6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I love this. The rabbits face nearby make this so cute and funny! Needs more upvotes

    #142

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    twigarashi Report

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    #145

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    Makeikusa55 Report

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    #148

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    rocinate__ Report

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    #149

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    thefoabs_dw Report

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    #151

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    mariko_ohno Report

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    #155

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    tengutentyo Report

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    #156

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    kana_suzuki_nagayama Report

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    #158

    Heavy Snow Tokyo

    captainMJF Report

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