Police investigate the site of an avalanche that claimed the lives of three Japanese tourists.<br/> <br />Heavy snow triggered the avalanche which crushed tents housing an outdoor hot spring bath.<br/> <br />A local resident said he is not surprised by the incident but there had not been avalanches in the area before.<br/> <br />(SOUNDBITE) (Japanese) UNIDENTIFIED RESIDENT OF TAMAGAWA HOT SPRINGS RESORT SAYING:<br/> <br />"That area had no trees growing around it so I am not surprised what happened, happened."<br/> <br />Many commuters found their journey disrupted by the weather, with traffic reduced to a crawl.<br/> <br />Some cars not equipped with snow tires were filmed sliding on roads caked with snow and ice.<br/> <br />Snow piled up about twice the height of a local news reporter.<br/> <br />Many residents are frustrated at the snow.<br/> <br />(SOUNDBITE) (Japanese) UNIDENTIFIED LOCAL RESIDENT SAYING:<br/> <br />"My back aches so this is really hard on me."<br/> <br />But not everyone is unhappy at the drastic change in weather.<br/> <br />Some children are having fun outdoors, building snowmen and throwing snowballs at each other.<br/> <br />Sophia Soo, Reuters.
