The Otaru Snow Light Path is held on the following dates:

Event Dates Event Times From February 11, 2023 to February 18, 2023 17:00 - 21:00

The Otaru Snow Light Path is Japanese winter festival. Like most Japanese festivals, the feeling there is magical and like that of a fantasy world. The festival is a series of illuminations — you can walk along snowy paths lit up by various lights, candles and lanterns in a classical japanese style.

Unlike the Sapporo Snow Festival, it is a lot less mainstream. It is a perfect location for those who are willing to venture outside the typical tourist hotspots and explore a more local area.

The first of the two main sites is the Unga Kaijo Site. You can reach this area walking about 10 minutes from the JR Otaru Station. The Unga Kaijo is where you will see the massive canal that is decorated with countless lights and illuminated works of art.

It is a visually incredible spot with many places to take photos, so it is a hotspot for local photographers.

There is also plenty to do here since the area is filled with various warehouses, coffee shops, restaurants, and shopping centers. Enjoy the scenery while you shop and have some coffee with your friends.

The Unga Site is further divided into sites A and B:

The 200 ball candles floating on the water surface of the canal along with the snow candles that light up the walkway and the message candles upon which visitors write their own messages contribute to a retro-Japan style cityscape of Otaru.

The theme of Unga Site B is based on a forest. Various decorations will contribute to a forest-like atmosphere, creating a moodscape quite different from Unga site A.

The former historic Hokkai factory is dressed up in pretty lights along the waterside.

The city of Otaru seen from Tenguyama Shrine and the observatory on the mountaintop is also beautiful. Here, you can enjoya night time view of Otaru from a distance.

The Tamiyasen Kaijo is the second of the two main sites. It is held along the old and abandoned Tamiyasen railroad. Like the Unga Kaijo site, it is also fully furnished with various lit-up decorations and beautiful traditional lanterns.

The Tamiyasen Kaijo Site also has many traditional restaurants where you can get a wide variety of both modern and traditional Japanese foods. Since it is so cold outside, dont forget to stop by for a warm bowl of ramen or udon!

An ice bar will be opened at the Temiya Line venue. In addition to cold drinks, there are hot drinks, hot chocolate, corn soup, and other menu items that can be enjoyed by those who cannot drink alcohol.

The highlight and main attraction (besides the drinks) are the glasses made from ice! The way it keeps the drink chilled is very different from drinking from a normal cup, so no need to order drinks on the rocks.

Winter in Hokkaido is extremely cold, and the average temperature is below freezing. A thick coat, down jacket, hat, muffler, and gloves are a must. Please also wear warm underwear to protect yourself from the cold.

<aside> 🌟 The road surface is often frozen, so it is difficult to walk unless you wear boots with a good grip. If your shoes don't have such a backing, you can buy and use a "non-slip" slip-on that you wear over your shoes. A pair costs about 1,000 yen each and is sold at JR stations, subway station kiosks, and convenience stores.

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The official event website can be accessed here.

The official Instagram can be accessed here.

Many people come by car from the local area and neighboring areas, and the parking lot becomes crowded starting in the evening. We recommend using JR rail if possible. If you use the rapid train from JR Sapporo Station, you will arrive at Otaru Station in 32 minutes.

From Otaru Station, go down toward the canal. Then you will be welcomed by candlelight here and there along the way.

https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?mid=1rjcQ3EAGK0eYd1JJbBjZ5oomiE6CNqg&usp=sharing

Thanks always to our loyal readers. Come and enjoy the quaint and cozy town of Otaru in the winter!

Various other unique Hokkaido events will be held in the surrounding area. See below if you want to add any destinatios to your trip!

<aside> 🌟 If there's anything else you'd like to know, let us know in the comments!

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Otaru Snow Light Path

So you’ve been to the Hokkaido Snow Festival… ready to explore something more local and out of the way? The Otaru Snow Light Path is a much more local, chilled-out winter festival with plenty of illuminations and local food and drink.

From Sapporo, you can board the JR train at JR Sapporo Station and get off at JR Otaru station. From there, it is only about a 15 minute walk to the location.

It is due to faithful travellers like yourself that we are allowed to continue to post these travel guides.