About Otaru Snow Light Path
Otaru City lights up from dawn until 21:00, enchanting visitors with its dazzling displays. The primary attractions are found along the Otaru Canal and the former Temiya railway track, with additional displays at Otaru Art Base.
This event, now in its 21st year, has become one of the highlights of winter in Hokkaido, alongside the Sapporo Snow Festival. Historically, Otaru surpassed Sapporo in prosperity from the Meiji to the end of the Showa era.
The first railway was constructed from Horonai in Mikasa City to Temiya in Otaru, solidifying Otaru’s position as a hub for commerce, industry, and distribution. The lucrative herring fishing industry, exemplified by the Aoyama family, brought immense wealth to Otaru, earning it the nickname “Wall Street of the North.”
Exploring the Otaru Canal and its surrounding historic buildings allows visitors to immerse themselves in the city’s ambiance. The name “Yukiakari no Michi” (Snow Light Path) is inspired by Sei Ito’s tale of the same name, a renowned poet and novelist from Otaru.
Date & Hours
- pre-event: 8 Feb, 2020
- 9 to 16 February, 2020
- 17:00-21:00
Venues
- Otaru Canal
- The former Temiya rail road(5minutes from Otaru Canal)
- Otaru Art Base
Access
Photos of Snow Light Path
