Otaru Snow Light Path Festival
The Otaru Snow Light Path Festival (¬’Má‚ ‚©‚è‚̘H, Otaru Yuki Akari no Michi) is a winter festival held every February in Otaru, during which the city becomes decorated in lights and small snow statues. The festival usually runs at a similar time as the nearby Sapporo Snow Festival, making it possible for travelers in Hokkaido to visit both festivals on the same trip.
The combination of the snowy town and the glittering lanterns creates a very pleasant atmosphere. The main festival venues get lit up daily from 17:00 to 21:00 and include the Unga venue, the Temiyasen venue and the Tenguyama venue. In addition, many locals also put lantern displays in front of their shops and residences, which further adds to the festival spirit. The venues, except the ropeway-accessible Tenguyama venue, are located within walking distance of the train station.
The Unga venue is the most prominent venue, located along 300 meters of the town's iconic Otaru Canal (Otaru Unga). The restored warehouses and gas lamps along the canal make for a romantic setting, and the canal itself is covered with small buoys that hold candles. Along the path beside the water there is a row of small snow statues that also hold candles. The canal is about a ten minute walk from Otaru Station along the main road leading from the station.
Between the canal and the train station is the Temiyasen venue, which stretches for about half a kilometer along the tracks of the abolished Temiyasen railway line. During the festival, the pleasant pathway gets lined by many lanterns and illuminated snow statues, as well as a few food stands. The Tenguyama venue is located at the upper ropeway station on Mount Tenguyama, which overlooks the city with spectacular views.
Getting there and around
The Unga venue beside Otaru Canal is a ten minute walk straight down the main road from Otaru Station, while the Temiyasen venue lies about half way between the station and the canal, running parallel to the canal. The Tenguyama venue is located around the upper station of the Tenguyama Ropeway (1600 yen round trip), whose lower station can be accessed from Otaru Station in a 20 minute ride by bus number 9 (240 yen one way, every 30 minutes).
How to get to and around Otaru
Questions? Ask in our forum.
Links and Resources
Hotels around Otaru
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The Otaornai Backpacker's Hostel MorinokiOtaornai Backpacker's Hostel Morinoki is for free and independent travelers in Hokkaido Otaru. No good for small group or family. It is just 1.4 km away from Otaru Station and a 3-minute walk to Suitengu Temple. Otaru Canal is a 10-minute walk away. This hostel are only shared dormitory rooms. No private room. It has a free-use kitchen, a terrace and free Wi-Fi. All rooms are non-smoking. 30 steps to reach entrance. No elevator. Simple heated rooms with shared bathrooms and toilets are provided at this hostel. Slippers are included, and a fan is used for cooling in warm weather. But There is no air conditioning (cooler) facility. The entire hostel is non-smoking. Guests can enjoy the garden, read books and comics at the lounge or enjoy sightseeing in Otaru. The hostel has a cat and a dog. No Meals, No Cafe, No Bar, No Restaurant, No Hot Springs, No Vending Machines, No Air Conditioning, No TV, No pick-up service.View on Booking.com -
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Home YasudaHome Yasuda is situated in Otaru, 4.1 km from Otaru Station, 18 km from Otarushi Zenibako City Center, as well as 36 km from Sapporo Station. Each accommodation at the 1-star homestay has quiet street views, and guests can enjoy access to a hot tub. Free WiFi is available and private parking can be arranged at an extra charge. The homestay offers a flat-screen TV and a shared bathroom with slippers, free toiletries and shower. A microwave and fridge are also available, as well as a kettle. At the homestay, each unit has bed linen and towels. The homestay offers an American or Asian breakfast. Shin-Sapporo Station is 48 km from Home Yasuda, while Otaru Canal Park is 5.5 km from the property. The nearest airport is Okadama Airport, 38 km from the accommodation.View on Booking.com -
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Opopo home —³‹{“XOffering city views, Opopo home —³‹{“X is an accommodation situated in Otaru, less than 1 km from Otaru Station and 18 km from Otarushi Zenibako City Center. With free WiFi, this 1-star guest house offers luggage storage space and a shared lounge. The guest house has family rooms. A terrace with mountain view, a cable flat-screen TV and air conditioning are available in some units. Sapporo Station is 36 km from the guest house, while Shin-Sapporo Station is 48 km from the property. The nearest airport is Okadama Airport, 38 km from Opopo home —³‹{“X.View on Booking.com -
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Ryo AnRyo An is located in Otaru, within 17 km of Otarushi Zenibako City Center and 35 km of Sapporo Station. This 4-star hotel offers free WiFi. The property is non-smoking and is set 400 metres from Otaru Station. All guest rooms come with air conditioning, a fridge, a microwave, a kettle, a bidet, free toiletries and a desk. The private bathroom is fitted with a shower, a hairdryer and slippers. At the hotel the rooms come with bed linen and towels. Shin-Sapporo Station is 48 km from Ryo An, while Otaru Canal Park is 1.7 km from the property. The nearest airport is Okadama Airport, 38 km from the accommodation.View on Booking.com -
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Garden House Umenoya OtaruClose to both Otaru Station and Otaru Canal Park, Garden House Umenoya Otaru is situated in Otaru and has a hot tub and garden. This 2-star homestay offers luggage storage space and bicycle parking. There is a sun terrace and guests can make use of free WiFi and free private parking. Some units have a balcony and/or a patio with garden views and an outdoor dining area. At the homestay, some units are allergy-free and soundproof. Guests can also relax in the shared lounge area. Otarushi Zenibako City Center is 17 km from the homestay, while Sapporo Station is 35 km from the property. The nearest airport is Okadama Airport, 38 km from Garden House Umenoya Otaru.View on Booking.com -
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UNWIND HOTEL & BAR OTARUSituated in Otaru, 800 metres from Otaru Station, UNWIND HOTEL & BAR OTARU features accommodation with a terrace, private parking, a restaurant and a bar. The 3-star hotel has air-conditioned rooms with a private bathroom and free WiFi. The property is non-smoking and is set 17 km from Otarushi Zenibako City Center. The rooms at the hotel are fitted with a flat-screen TV and a safety deposit box. At UNWIND HOTEL & BAR OTARU rooms come with bed linen and towels. Guests at the accommodation can enjoy an American breakfast. Sapporo Station is 35 km from UNWIND HOTEL & BAR OTARU, while Shin-Sapporo Station is 48 km from the property. The nearest airport is Okadama Airport, 37 km from the hotel.View on Booking.com -
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Little BarrelSet in Otaru, 1.5 km from Otaru Station, Little Barrel offers accommodation with a garden and private parking. This 1-star hostel offers a shared kitchen, a shared lounge and free WiFi. The property is non-smoking and is located 17 km from Otarushi Zenibako City Center. The rooms are equipped with a shared bathroom with a hairdryer, while some boast sea views. Sapporo Station is 35 km from the hostel, while Shin-Sapporo Station is 47 km from the property. The nearest airport is Okadama Airport, 37 km from Little Barrel.View on Booking.com -
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Otaru Tap Room & HostelOtaru Tap Room & Hostel is located in Otaru, within 17 km of Otarushi Zenibako City Center and 35 km of Sapporo Station. Featuring a bar, the 1-star hostel has air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi, each with a shared bathroom. The property is non-smoking and is situated 800 metres from Otaru Station. All rooms in the hostel are fitted with a kettle. The rooms have bed linen. Shin-Sapporo Station is 48 km from Otaru Tap Room & Hostel, while Otaru Canal Park is 800 metres from the property. The nearest airport is Okadama Airport, 38 km from the accommodation.View on Booking.com -
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Winkel VillageWithin a 10-minute walk from Asari Ski Resort, Winkel Village features cosy apartments and cottages, all with a terrace and mountain views. It features a ski school and a shop. Apartments and freestanding wooden cottages feature heating, a fully equipped kitchen and a bathroom with a bathtub. All are equipped with a TV, while apartments boast a private open-air hot spring bath, however not for cottages. Guests sleep on Japanese futon bedding on the bedroom floor. There are 2 types of rooms.Village Winkel offers rentals of sporting goods, board games and barbecue equipment that can be used on the guests' private terrace. Guests can go hiking or fishing in the area, and there is a tennis court on a 5-minute drive. Hotel Winkel Village is a 15-minute drive from Otaru Ferry Terminal and Otaru Unga Canal, and a 40-minute drive from Kiroro Snow World.View on Booking.com -
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GRIDS PREMIUM HOTEL OTARULocated within 17 km of Otarushi Zenibako City Center and 35 km of Sapporo Station, GRIDS PREMIUM HOTEL OTARU provides rooms in Otaru. With a restaurant, the 4-star hotel has air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi, each with a private bathroom. Private parking can be arranged at an extra charge. The units in the hotel are fitted with a kettle. Each room comes with a safety deposit box and certain rooms include city views. Guest rooms in GRIDS PREMIUM HOTEL OTARU are equipped with a flat-screen TV and free toiletries. Guests at the accommodation can enjoy a buffet breakfast. GRIDS PREMIUM HOTEL OTARU also features a wellness area, where guests can make the most of facilities like a sauna. With staff speaking English and Japanese, guidance is available at the reception. Popular points of interest near the hotel include Otaru Station, Otaru Canal Park and Otaru Museum. The nearest airport is Okadama Airport, 38 km from GRIDS PREMIUM HOTEL OTARU.View on Booking.com
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