Japanese weather officials are urging caution for possible flooding as abnormally high tides are being observed along the Sea of Japan.
The Meteorological Agency says extra-high tides have been seen in some coastal areas of central and western Japan since early this month.
Tide levels were about 15 to 20 centimeters higher than normal as of Wednesday.
Unceasing westerlies in the Sea of Japan, as well as the Tsushima warm current heating and swelling the sea, are believed to have contributed to the phenomenon, which is expected to continue for about another week.
As tides are highest from summer through autumn, coastal areas and low-lying areas near river mouths are prone to flooding.
Tide levels could go up even higher if a typhoon or low pressure system approaches.
Coastal residents in Ishikawa Prefecture are urged to be particularly careful as the area's topography has been changed by the New Year's Day earthquake on the Noto Peninsula.