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Hokkaido is blessed with vast land and beautiful nature. Otaru, located on the Sea of Japan side of Hokkaido, is a popular tourist destination with good access from Sapporo. The retro and atmospheric Otaru Canal with its stone warehouses and gas lamps, and the former bank district, boast many historical buildings designated as cultural properties, and the charming streetscape fascinates people.

Surrounded by the sea and mountains, Otaru is proud of its excellent access to both, being less than 30 minutes from the city center. Here, we introduce ways to enjoy winter and snow in Otaru, a city blessed with nature.

Giving Otaru.

From UNGAPLUS, which delivers "The Story of Otaru" that journeyed with the Kitamaebune
from the "Old Otaru Warehouse" overlooking the canal,
we introduce "Otaru's Must-Visit Spots."

Please enjoy Otaru.

Otaru Winter Festivals

Winter in Otaru | How to enjoy the snow - Otaru Tourism ①

Otaru Snow Light Path

One of Otaru's iconic events.

The "Otaru Snow Light Path" began in 1999 (Heisei 11) as a measure to mitigate the decrease in tourists during the winter season. Held annually in February, it has now become one of Otaru's representative events, attracting approximately 500,000 people over about 10 days. The name is derived from the poetry collection "Yukiakari no Michi" (Snow Light Path) by Otaru-born poet Sei Ito.

The warm glow of candles envelops Otaru's unique old townscape, which boasts numerous historic buildings such as banks and warehouses built during the Meiji and Taisho eras. Over 100,000 candles are used during the event, and lighting is carried out with the cooperation of volunteers from Japan and abroad, cherishing the warmth of human connection.

With the Otaru Canal and the former Temiya Line railway tracks as the main venues, candles are lit throughout Otaru city. At the canal venue, "floating candles" with candles lit inside processed glass spheres are floated on the water, and "snow candles" with candles lit in snow sculptures are created along the canal promenade. At the Temiya Line venue, a "snow tunnel" is created, and various objects are installed to produce a fantastic "Snow Light Path." As it is an event held throughout the entire city, you can enjoy a magical landscape wherever you walk in Otaru.

Otaru Ski Resorts

Winter in Otaru | How to enjoy the snow - Otaru Tourism ③

Otaru Tenguyama Ski Resort

Panoramic views of the city and port from the observation deck.

Otaru Tenguyama, a symbolic presence in Otaru, has long been familiar to its citizens. At an elevation of 532 meters, it can be seen from many central parts of Otaru city. You can reach the summit by ropeway, which runs every 6 to 12 minutes, or by car (closed during winter).

Mt. Otaru Tengu has five observation decks, and the summit observatory, in particular, is a must-see spot that has earned one star in the "Michelin Green Guide Japan." It offers an excellent vantage point with a miniature city spread out below, and a clear view of Otaru Port and Ishikari Bay, and on clear days, even the Shokanbetsu mountain range and Shakotan Peninsula in the distance. The beautiful night view, like scattered jewels, is said to be one of "Hokkaido's Three Great Night Views." The diverse city lights, born from the topography surrounded by the port and mountains, allow for an endlessly enjoyable night view.

In winter, Tenguyama transforms into a ski resort with a view of the sea. Tenguyama Ski Resort is loved by locals, and every Otaru child has skied here at least once, as it's used for ski lessons by Otaru's elementary and junior high schools. Otaru has long been famous as a city where skiing is popular, and Tenguyama has produced many ski athletes. During the "Otaru Snow Light Path" period, there are many attractions such as a heart-shaped snow object and a snow terrace in winter.

At "Tengu-no-Yakata" (Tengu's Hall) at the summit, approximately 700 Tengu masks of various sizes collected from all over Japan are displayed. There's a legend that stroking the tip of the "Hananade Tengu-san" (Nose-stroking Tengu), which has magical powers, can grant wishes and ward off evil, so why not give it a try?

And "sea of clouds" has been growing in popularity in recent years. In Otaru, the probability of occurrence seems to increase from late spring to early summer. Although a sea of clouds is a rare sight that can only be seen if various conditions such as weather and topography are met, on Otaru Tenguyama, there are days when you can enjoy precious and spectacular views such as "sea of clouds + night view" or "sea of clouds + sunset" that cannot be seen elsewhere.

Winter in Otaru | How to enjoy the snow - Otaru Tourism ③

Snow Cruise Onze

Onze, meaning "11" in French, opens every November.

Located on Mt. Haruka in Otaru City, Onze means 11 in French. As the name suggests, it opens every November. Although there is not enough snow in November in Hokkaido, Onze has introduced artificial snowmaking machines that crush ice made in advance with an ice machine and spread it on the slopes, allowing the ski resort to open even when temperatures are not very low.

Night skiing is also available until 11 PM, and the unique services include a lift ticket discount on the 11th of every month, all adhering to the number 11. The slopes, which offer a view of Ishikari Bay while skiing, comprise 9 courses in total, and snowboarding and snow scooting are also permitted.

How to enjoy the four seasons here

Otaru Winter Events

Nov-Feb Otaru & Yoichi Snow Story

The long-running winter promotion "Otaru & Yoichi Snow Story" runs from November to mid-February. You can enjoy the "Blue Canal," where the Otaru Canal is romantically illuminated by approximately 10,000 blue LEDs until 10:30 PM. During this period, the popular canal cruises are also adorned with blue illuminations, creating a fantastical atmosphere with the blue of the lights and the blue of the sky. Inside "Canal Plaza," Otaru's tourist hub, a "Wine Glass Tower" made by citizens from 2,000 wine glasses is installed. At JR Otaru Station, a "Glass Art Gallery" showcasing art pieces from local glass studios appears, warmly welcoming people arriving at Otaru Station in winter. The "Yoichi Snow Story" also starts simultaneously in the neighboring town of Yoichi, so it is recommended to enjoy both.

December Otaru Snow Fireworks

The winter firework display in Otaru, which was held from 2000 to 2011, ceased after 2011. A group of volunteers in their 30s and 40s from Otaru started the "Otaru Snow Fireworks Project" in 2019, wanting to recreate the sight they saw as students, launching large fireworks into the winter night sky. A feature of Otaru Snow Fireworks is the romantic production that synchronizes fireworks and music, beautifully decorating the winter night sky. On the day of the event, music events are also held at Wing Bay Otaru, and food stalls are set up.

February Otaru Snow Light Path

The "Otaru Snow Light Path" began in 1999 (Heisei 11) as a measure to mitigate the decrease in tourists during the winter season. Held annually in February, it has now become one of Otaru's representative events, attracting approximately 500,000 people over about 10 days. The name is derived from the poetry collection "Yukiakari no Michi" (Snow Light Path) by Otaru-born poet Sei Ito. The warm glow of candles envelops Otaru's unique old townscape, which boasts numerous historic buildings such as banks and warehouses built during the Meiji and Taisho eras. Over 100,000 candles are used during the event, and lighting is carried out with the cooperation of volunteers from Japan and abroad, cherishing the warmth of human connection.

Otaru Winter in Photos

UNGAPLUS

Good fortune from Otaru, the shipping town...
May your luck also open up, embracing the uninterrupted flow that has been preserved.

In the Meiji era, Otaru flourished as the gateway to Hokkaido's development.
Kitamaebune ships sailed the vast ocean with their pure white sails, bringing abundant goods and culture to this land through their trade with Honshu.

UNGAPLUS delivers original products embodying the history and culture still remaining in Otaru, along with quality goods from Kitamaebune port towns, from the "Former Otaru Warehouse Main Building," the first commercial warehouse in Hokkaido built by Kitamaebune shipowners Sonzaemon Nishide and Shohachi Nishitani.

The story of Otaru, which journeyed with the Kitamaebune, from this very place.

We await your visit with a selection of unique original items that make for delightful souvenirs.

Click here for "UNGAPLUS" details