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Event Guide · Hokkaido

Otaru Snow Light Path

FebruaryOtaru2027: Feb 6 – Feb 13
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Overview

Overview

A winter event that fills Otaru's historic streetscapes, including the Otaru Canal and the former JNR Temiya Line, with the soft glow of snow candles and wax bowls. It is handmade and kept going by local volunteers, and the floating-glass-ball candles on the canal and the lights along snowy paths create a magical atmosphere.

When
Usually about one week in early to mid-February (around the same time as the Sapporo Snow Festival)
Confirmed dates: 2027: Feb 6 – Feb 13
Venue
Canal Site, Temiya Line Site, Otaru Art Base Site, Mt. Tengu Site, and other locations around the city
Official website
http://yukiakarinomichi.org/
Highlights

Highlights

The two main sites are the Canal Site, where glass float candles bob on the water along a row of stone warehouses, and the Temiya Line Site, where lights line the snow-covered tracks of Hokkaido's first railway. At the Mt. Tengu Site, you ride the ropeway to the summit to enjoy snow sculptures together with the night view over Otaru.

Times

Times

Lighting hours17:00–21:00

2026 (28th) example. From the Otaru Tourism Association's venue guide

Opening ceremonyFrom 17:00

2026 example. Held on the first day (2/7) at the Otaru Art Base Site

Times can change from year to year. Check the official website for the latest information.

Tips

Tips for travelers

  • ✓Admission is free. You can walk between the Canal Site and the Temiya Line Site, and explore both on foot from JR Otaru Station
  • ✓Lights go on at 17:00. The 17:00–18:00 hours, as it starts to get dark, are best for photos, when the blue evening sky and the candles look beautiful together
  • ✓Small lantern sites are also scattered around the city. Pick up the pamphlet handed out at tourist information centers and stroll around
  • ✓To reach the Mt. Tengu Site, take a bus and then the ropeway. Allow plenty of time if you also want to enjoy the night view
  • ✓Otaru is only about 30–50 minutes from Sapporo by train, so it's easy to combine with the Sapporo Snow Festival
Access

Getting there

Nearest stations
  • JR Otaru StationAbout 10 min on foot (Canal Site)The Temiya Line Site is on the way from the station to the canal
  • JR Minami-Otaru StationAbout 10 min on foot (toward Otaru Art Base and Sakaimachi)
From major stations
  • Sapporo Station: JR Hakodate Main Line (Rapid Airport or local train) to Otaru Station (About 35–50 min)
  • New Chitose Airport: JR Rapid Airport (bound for Otaru) direct to Otaru Station (About 1 hour 15 min)
Extra buses & shuttles
No dedicated shuttle bus. You can get between sites on foot or by Chuo Bus local buses (Otaru Tourism Association guide, 2026)
IC cards (Suica etc.)
On JR (Sapporo–Otaru), transport IC cards such as Kitaca and Suica can be used. Check with the bus company whether they are accepted on local buses
Getting back
  • JR Otaru Station gets crowded around the 21:00 end time. Check train times back toward Sapporo in advance
  • Snowy roads freeze and get slippery at night. Watch your step on the way back to the station too
  • There is no dedicated parking near the sites, so public transport is recommended over driving
Open in Google Maps ↗
Crowds

Crowds & best timing

Busiest times
Saturdays and Sundays from when the lights go on until about 19:00. The canal area is especially crowded on weekends that overlap with the Sapporo Snow Festival
Quieter times
Weekdays after 20:00
Time needed
1–2 hours to walk the Canal Site and Temiya Line Site. About 3 hours if you include the Mt. Tengu Site
Weather

Weather & what to wear

Evening temperatures
In Otaru, the normal low in February is around -6°C (a reference value based on JMA normals). On windy days by the sea, it feels even colder
What to wear
A down coat or similar, a hat, gloves, thick socks, and winter boots with good grip. Touchscreen gloves are handy for taking photos with your phone
Rain, snow & typhoons
No cancellation criteria have been published. In severe weather such as snowstorms, the lighting may be canceled or sites scaled down
Where to check for cancellations
Official website (http://yukiakarinomichi.org/), Otaru Tourism Association (https://otaru.gr.jp/), Executive Committee TEL 0134-32-4111
☁ Hokkaido weather in February →
Etiquette

Local rules & etiquette

  • !Take your trash home
  • !Do not touch or knock over the snow candles or sculptures
  • !Some spots along the old tracks at the Temiya Line Site and along the canal are narrow, so avoid using tripods or standing in one place for a long time
  • !Do not fly drones without permission
  • !The canal embankment is frozen and there is a risk of falling in, so do not go beyond the railings
  • !Public trash bins are rare in Japan. Bring a small bag and take your trash with you.
  • !Smoking while walking is banned in many cities. Use designated smoking areas.
Facilities

Facilities

Toilets
Use the toilets at tourist facilities around the canal, Otaru Station, and commercial facilities
Lockers & luggage
There are coin lockers at JR Otaru Station. They fill up quickly on weekends, so it's best to leave large luggage at your hotel or in Sapporo before coming
Paying at food stalls
Admission to the sites is free. Stalls and vendors may be cash only, so bring cash
ATMs
Convenience store ATMs are available around JR Otaru Station and the canal
Seven Bank ATMs (inside 7-Eleven stores) usually accept cards issued overseas.
Wheelchairs & strollers
With snowy and icy surfaces, many sections are difficult to navigate with a wheelchair or stroller
Food

Food

Local favorites
Otaru sushi and seafood rice bowlsAnkake yakisoba (crispy noodles with thick sauce)Wakadori hanmi-age (fried half chicken)Sweets on Sakaimachi Street
Vegetarian & halal
Vegetarian and halal labels are rare. At sushi restaurants, telling them in advance about ingredients you can't eat may allow them to accommodate you
Tours & tickets for this eventPR
🏨 Where to stay during the event

Because it overlaps with the Sapporo Snow Festival, hotels in both Sapporo and Otaru get busy and prices go up. Booking early is recommended

Where to Stay · Agoda

Places to Stay near Otaru Snow Light PathPR

PRSee more places to stay near Otaru Snow Light Path on Agoda →

Prices and availability are shown on Agoda.

Attractions

Attractions in Otaru

Aquarium

Otaru Aquarium

Hokkaido ・ Otaru / Shukutsu

Located on the coast at Shukutsu in Otaru, this aquarium consists of an indoor main building and the outdoor "Marine Mammal Park," built by partitioning off part of the Sea of Japan. It operates with different dates and hours in winter, and closes from late November to early December and from late February to mid-March.

See all attractions →
Events

Events & festivals in Hokkaido

February

Sapporo Snow Festival

Hokkaido ・ Sapporo

Usually early February (about one week)

2027 (77th): Feb 4 (Thu) – Feb 11 (Thu, holiday), 8 days

February

Asahikawa Winter Festival

Hokkaido ・ Asahikawa & Biei

Usually about 6 days in early to mid-February (around the same time as the Sapporo Snow Festival)

2027 (68th): Feb 6 – Feb 11

April–October

Lake Toyako Long Run Fireworks Display

Hokkaido ・ Noboribetsu & Lake Toya

Usually every night from late April to October 31 (about 20 minutes from 20:45)

2026: Apr 28 – Oct 31 (held nightly; currently underway)

May

Sapporo Lilac Festival

Hokkaido ・ Sapporo

Usually mid- to late May (about 10 days at the Odori Site, and 2 days on the final weekend at the Kawashimo Site)

June

YOSAKOI Soran Festival

Hokkaido ・ Sapporo

Usually Wednesday to Sunday (5 days) in early to mid-June

2027 (36th): Jun 9 (Wed) – Jun 13 (Sun), 5 days

July–August

Sapporo Summer Festival

Hokkaido ・ Sapporo

Usually late July to mid-August (the beer gardens run for about 4 weeks; Hokkai Bon Odori is held during Obon, and the Susukino Festival for 3 days in early August)

July

Otaru Ushio Festival

Hokkaido ・ Otaru

Usually Friday to Sunday in late July (3 days, with a grand fireworks display on the final night)

August

Hakodate Port Festival

Hokkaido ・ Hakodate

Usually August 1–5 (fireworks on the first day, parades on the 2nd and 3rd)

September–October

Sapporo Autumn Fest

Hokkaido ・ Sapporo

Usually early to late September, or into early October (about 3 weeks)

2026: Sep 11 – Oct 3 (currently underway)

November–March

Sapporo White Illumination

Hokkaido ・ Sapporo

Usually late November to mid-March of the following year (the Odori Site runs from late November to December 25)

2026: Opens Nov 20 (Odori Site until Dec 25; Ekimae-dori Site until Feb 11, 2027; Minami 1-jo-dori, Kita 3-jo Plaza, and Sapporo Station South Exit until Mar 14, 2027)

December–March

Asahiyama Zoo Penguin Walk

Hokkaido ・ Asahikawa & Biei

Usually held daily from mid- to late December (once there is enough snow) until around mid-March

December

Hakodate Christmas Fantasy

Hokkaido ・ Hakodate

Usually starts in late November to early December and runs until December 25

2026: Dec 1 (Tue) – Dec 25 (Fri)

See all events →

Dates, times and access are based on official and other primary sources. Only dates confirmed by official sources are shown as “Confirmed dates”; otherwise the usual timing is given.

Last checked: 2026-09-30

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