Parts of the coast in the northern Hokkaido city of Rumoi have been buried in ‘spume’, a winter phenomenon created when the waves from the stormy sea crash against coastal rocks. People could be seen gazing at the spume, as some of it – blown by strong winds – floated in the air and landed on cars.
Spume is a phenomenon created when mucus from the plankton in the sea is tossed around by the breaking waves, creating a foam. The phenomenon can be seen in Hokkaido in winter, when strong westerly winds and rough sea conditions are more common. Parts of the coastal roads were covered in the white foam, creating this rare scenery.