While Tokyo is only just starting to feel the chill of winter, Northern parts of Japan have already had their first snows of the year.

A first year student of Hokkaido University, Kanazawa Aritaka (@alpacaphoto) created a stir on Twitter with these stunning photos taken around his snow-blanketed campus in the prefecture's capital Sapporo.

The caption reads 'This morning's Hokkaido Uni'.

These ethereal landscapes had Hokkaido natives pining for their hometown at this beautiful time of year.

This promising young photographers work reminds everyone how magical Hokkaido is, an area known for its natural beauty, especially in the winter. The weather may be harsh, but the pay off is worth it for those brave enough, in the form of idyllic scenes such as these. If you're suddenly getting the irresistible urge to travel to Sapporo, you're not alone.