The 2025 festival is scheduled to be held from February 8 to 15.

The Otaru Snow Light Path Festival (小樽雪あかりの路, 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

Hotels around Otaru

Top rated in Otaru
Budget:
    • Stay`sOTARU
      Budget-friendly
      Located within 1.6 km of Otaru Station and 16 km of Otarushi Zenibako City Center, Stay`sOTARU offers rooms in Otaru. With a terrace, the 2-star hotel has air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi, each with a private bathroom. The hotel features a hot tub and luggage storage space. All units are equipped with a fridge, microwave, a kettle, a bidet, free toiletries and a wardrobe. The hotel provides certain rooms with city views, and each room is equipped with a balcony. At Stay`sOTARU every room is equipped with bed linen and towels. Sapporo Station is 35 km from the accommodation, while Shin-Sapporo Station is 46 km away. The nearest airport is Okadama Airport, 37 km from Stay`sOTARU.
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    • Ryo An
      Luxury
      Ryo 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 47 km from Ryo An, while Otaru Canal Park is 1.8 km from the property. The nearest airport is Okadama Airport, 38 km from the accommodation.
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    • UNWIND HOTEL & BAR OTARU
      Mid-range
      Situated 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 47 km from the property. The nearest airport is Okadama Airport, 37 km from the hotel.
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    • Little Barrel
      Budget-friendly
      Set within 1.5 km of Otaru Station and 17 km of Otarushi Zenibako City Center, Little Barrel provides rooms in Otaru. Featuring a garden, the 1-star hostel has air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi, each with a shared bathroom. The accommodation offers a shared kitchen and a shared lounge for guests. At the hostel the rooms are equipped with bed linen and towels. Sapporo Station is 35 km from Little Barrel, while Shin-Sapporo Station is 47 km from the property. The nearest airport is Okadama Airport, 37 km from the accommodation.
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    • Otaru Tap Room & Hostel
      Budget-friendly
      Boasting a bar, Otaru Tap Room & Hostel is situated in Otaru in the Hokkaido region, 800 metres from Otaru Station and 17 km from Otarushi Zenibako City Center. With free WiFi, this 1-star hostel offers a shared kitchen and luggage storage space. The property is non-smoking and is located 35 km from Sapporo Station. Rooms are fitted with a shared bathroom fitted with a bidet and a hairdryer, while certain rooms come with a kitchen equipped with a fridge. Shin-Sapporo Station is 47 km from the hostel, while Otaru Canal Park is less than 1 km from the property. The nearest airport is Okadama Airport, 38 km from Otaru Tap Room & Hostel.
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    • Hotel Luna Coast (Adult Only)
      Budget-friendly
      Situated in Otaru, a few steps from Zenibako Beach, Hotel Luna Coast (Adult Only) features accommodation with free WiFi and free private parking. This 2-star love hotel offers room service. Guests can enjoy sea views. All rooms are fitted with a fridge, microwave, a kettle, a shower, a hairdryer and a wardrobe. Complete with a private bathroom fitted with a bidet and free toiletries, the rooms at the love hotel have a flat-screen TV and air conditioning, and certain rooms are equipped with a balcony. At Hotel Luna Coast (Adult Only) rooms come with bed linen and towels. Guests at the accommodation will be able to enjoy activities in and around Otaru, like skiing. Otaru Dream Beach is 1.3 km from Hotel Luna Coast (Adult Only), while Otarushi Zenibako City Center is 1.5 km from the property. Okadama Airport is 18 km away.
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    • GRIDS PREMIUM HOTEL OTARU
      Luxury
      GRIDS PREMIUM HOTEL OTARU is located in Otaru, 700 metres from Otaru Station and 17 km from Otarushi Zenibako City Center. 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. A buffet breakfast is available daily at the accommodation. GRIDS PREMIUM HOTEL OTARU offers a range of wellness facilities including a sauna and a spa centre. With staff speaking English and Japanese, around the clock guidance is available at the reception. Sapporo Station is 35 km from the hotel, while Shin-Sapporo Station is 47 km away. The nearest airport is Okadama Airport, 38 km from GRIDS PREMIUM HOTEL OTARU.
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    • Winkel Village
      Budget-friendly
      Within 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.
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    • Dormy Inn Premium Otaru
      Mid-range
      Just a minute away from Otaru station on the JR Hakodate Line, Dormy Inn Premium offers air-conditioned rooms with free internet access, a flat-screen TV and refrigerator. Facilities at Dormy Inn Premium Otaru include natural hot spring baths and a sauna. Coin-operated washing machine, public computer with free internet access in the lobby and a 24-hour front desk are available. Guests can enjoy a buffet breakfast of Japanese and western dishes daily.
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    • Hotel Torifito Otaru Canal
      Mid-range
      Featuring 3-star accommodation, Hotel Torifito Otaru Canal is situated in Otaru, 700 metres from Otaru Station and 17 km from Otarushi Zenibako City Center. Boasting a 24-hour front desk, this property also provides guests with a restaurant. Free WiFi is available and private parking can be arranged at an extra charge. The hotel will provide guests with air-conditioned rooms with a desk, a kettle, a fridge, a safety deposit box, a TV and a private bathroom with a bidet. At Hotel Torifito Otaru Canal the rooms have bed linen and towels. A buffet breakfast is available each morning at the accommodation. Sapporo Station is 35 km from Hotel Torifito Otaru Canal, while Shin-Sapporo Station is 47 km from the property. The nearest airport is Okadama Airport, 38 km from the hotel.
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