Running concurrently with the Sapporo Snow Festival, Otaru's Snow Light Path festival lines the famous Otaru Canal and the old railway tracks with hand-made snow lanterns and floating candles each evening. The soft warm glow reflecting off canal water and snow-dusted Meiji-era warehouses creates an intimate atmosphere quite unlike the grandeur of Sapporo. Volunteers craft thousands of individual yukiakari (snow-light) holders throughout the ten-day run. It is widely considered one of Japan's most romantic winter events.
- Type
- Festival
- Category
- Snow/Winter
- Season
- Winter
- Month
- February
- Region
- Hokkaido
- Prefecture
- Hokkaido
- City
- Otaru
Highlights
- ◆Candlelit snow lanterns along the historic Otaru Canal
- ◆Floating wax lights on the canal's dark winter water
- ◆Illuminated Meiji-era stone warehouse district backdrop
- ◆Volunteer-made ice and snow sculptures at every turn
- ◆Warm amazake and local seafood stalls nearby