Home > Otaru Tourism Portal >Snow in Otaru

Hokkaido is blessed with vast land and beautiful nature. Located on the Sea of Japan side of Hokkaido, Otaru is a popular tourist destination with easy access from Sapporo. The town is filled with historical buildings designated as cultural assets, such as the Otaru Canal, which has a retro feel with stone warehouses and gas lamps, and the old banking district, and its atmospheric streets are sure to captivate visitors.

Surrounded by the sea and mountains, Otaru boasts excellent access to both the sea and the mountains, both of which are within 30 minutes of the city center. Here, we will introduce ways to enjoy the winter and snow in Otaru, a city blessed with nature.

1. Otaru Snow Light Path
2. Information on Otaru Ski Resort
3. Winter events in Otaru
4. Photos of the Snow Light Path

Give Otaru as a gift.

From the "Old Otaru Warehouse" overlooking the canal,
From UNGAPLUS, which brings you the "Story of Otaru" that walked alongside the Kitamae ships,
We will introduce you to "Places to visit in Otaru."

Please enjoy Otaru.

Otaru Winter Festival

Winter in Otaru | How to Enjoy the Snow - Otaru Tourism ①

Otaru Snow Light Path

This is one of Otaru's most representative events.

The Otaru Snow Light Path was started in 1999 (Heisei 11) as a measure to alleviate the decline in tourists during the winter. Held every February, it has now become one of Otaru's most famous events, attracting around 500,000 visitors over the course of 10 days. The name comes from the poetry collection "Snow Light Path" by Otaru native poet Sei Ito.

The warm glow of candles envelops Otaru's unique old streets, which are home to many historical buildings such as banks and warehouses built during the Meiji and Taisho periods. Over 100,000 candles are used during the event, and are lit with the help of volunteers from Japan and abroad, cherishing the warmth of humankind.

Candles are lit throughout Otaru city, with the Otaru Canal and the former site of the Temiya Line of the Japanese National Railways as the main venues. At the Canal venue, "floating ball candles," which are lit candles inside processed glass balls, are floated on the water, while on the canal walking path, "snow candles" are created by lighting candles in snow objects, and at the Temiya Line venue, a "snow tunnel" is created, as well as various other objects being set up to create a fantastical "Snow Light Path." Because it is an event that takes place throughout the city, you can enjoy fantastical scenery wherever you walk around Otaru.

Famous : Otaru Snow Light Path
Address : The main venue is Otaru Canal
Implementation date : Approximately 10 days in February every year
Home page : Click here for the homepage

Otaru ski resort

Winter in Otaru | How to Enjoy the Snow - Otaru Tourism ②

Otaru Tenguyama Ski Resort

The observation deck offers a panoramic view of the city and harbor.

Otaru Tenguyama has long been a symbol of Otaru and beloved by locals. It stands 532 meters above sea level and can be seen from anywhere in central Otaru. You can reach the summit by ropeway, which runs every 6 to 12 minutes, or by car (roads are closed during the winter).

There are five observation decks on Otaru Tenguyama, with the summit observation deck in particular being a must-see spot, having been awarded one star in the Michelin Green Guide Japan. It is a great vantage point from which you can see the miniature cityscape below, Otaru Port, Ishikari Bay, and on clear days, the distant Shokanbetsu mountain range and Shakotan Peninsula. The beautiful night view, like a studded jewel, is said to be one of Hokkaido's three great night views. The varied city lights created by the terrain surrounded by the port and mountains make for a night view that you will never tire of.

In winter, Mt. Tengu transforms into a ski resort with a view of the ocean. Tenguyama Ski Resort is a beloved local ski resort that is used for ski lessons at Otaru's elementary and junior high schools, and every Otaru resident has skied there at least once. Otaru has long been famous as a city with a strong skiing culture, and Mt. Tengu has also produced many ski athletes. During the Otaru Snow Light Path event, there are plenty of attractions, including a snow heart sculpture and a snow terrace in the winter.

At the Tengu House at the top of the mountain, there are about 700 Tengu masks, both large and small, collected from all over Japan on display. The Nose-Stroking Tengu is said to grant wishes if you stroke the tip of its nose, and there are legends that it has magical powers that ward off evil and grant wishes, so why not give it a try?

Another sight that has become increasingly popular in recent years is the "sea of clouds." In Otaru, the chances of them occurring seem to increase from late spring through early summer. It's difficult to see a sea of clouds unless certain conditions, such as the weather and topography, are met, but at Otaru Tenguyama, there are days when you can enjoy rare and spectacular views that can't be seen anywhere else, such as "sea of clouds + night view" or "sea of clouds + sunset."

Sightseeing Spots : Otaru Tenguyama Ropeway and Ski Resort
Address : 2-16-15 Mogami, Otaru, Hokkaido
phone : 0134-33-7381
Business hours : vary depending on the season
Home page : Click here for the homepage

Winter in Otaru | How to Enjoy the Snow - Otaru Sightseeing ③

Snow Cruise Owns

Owns, which means "11" in French, opens every November.

Located on Mount Haruka in Otaru City, Ons, which means 11 in French, is open every November, as its name suggests. Even in Hokkaido, there isn't much snow in November, but Ons uses artificial snow-making machines that make ice in advance in ice makers, crush it into small pieces, and spread it on the slopes, allowing the ski resort to open even at this time of year when temperatures aren't too low.

Night skiing is available until 11pm, and there are discounts on lift tickets on the 11th of every month, making for a unique service focused on the number 11. There are nine slopes where you can ski downhill while looking out at Ishikari Bay, and you can also enjoy snowboarding and snowscooting.

Attractions : Snow Cruise Ons
Address : 357 Harukacho, Otaru, Hokkaido
phone : 0134-62-2228
Opening hours : 9:00-23:00
Closed days : Open every day during the period 
Home page : Click here for the homepage

Here's how to enjoy spring, summer, autumn and winter

Otaru's Winter Events

November to February Otaru and Yoichi Snow Story

The long-running winter promotion, "Otaru-Yoichi Snow Story," runs from November to mid-February. Until 10:30 PM, the Otaru Canal will be romantically illuminated with approximately 10,000 blue LED lights, creating a "Blue Canal." During this period, the popular canal cruise will also be decorated with blue lights. The blue of the illuminations, combined with the blue of the sky, creates a fantastical atmosphere along the Otaru Canal. Additionally, inside the Otaru Canal Plaza, the tourist hub, will be a "Wine Glass Tower" made up of 2,000 wine glasses, handcrafted by local residents. At JR Otaru Station, a "Glass Art Gallery" will be exhibiting artwork from glass workshops in the city, welcoming visitors as they disembark at the station in winter. The "Yoichi Snow Story" will also begin at the same time in the neighboring town of Yoichi, so we recommend enjoying both events.

December Otaru Snow Fireworks

The winter fireworks festival held in Otaru from 2000 to 2011 was the last one to be held in 2011. A group of volunteers in their 30s and 40s from Otaru came together to recreate the spectacle they had seen as students, and in 2019 they launched the Otaru Snow Fireworks Project, a project to make large flowers bloom in the winter night sky. The Otaru Snow Fireworks are characterized by a romantic performance that synchronizes fireworks with music, creating a beautiful display in the winter night sky. On the day of the event, there will also be a music event at Wing Bay Otaru, and food booths will be set up.

February Otaru Snow Light Path

The Otaru Snow Light Path began in 1999 (Heisei 11) as a measure to alleviate the decline in tourists during the winter. Held annually in February, it has now become one of Otaru's most iconic events, attracting approximately 500,000 visitors over the course of its 10-day run. The name comes from the poem "Snow Light Path" by Otaru-born poet Sei Ito. The warm glow of candles envelops Otaru's unique old streets, home to numerous historical buildings such as banks and warehouses built during the Meiji and Taisho periods. Over 100,000 candles are used during the event, and the lighting is carried out with the help of volunteers from Japan and abroad, cherishing the warmth of human connection.

Otaru in winter in photos

UNGAPLUS

Good luck from the shipping town of Otaru...
May the flow that has been protected without interruption be your ally and open up your luck.

During the Meiji period, Otaru flourished as the gateway to the development of Hokkaido.
Kitamae ships flapped their pure white sails across the ocean, traveling to and from Honshu and bringing many goods and cultures to this area.

UNGAPLUS delivers original products that incorporate the history and culture of Otaru, as well as high-quality products from the ports of call of the Kitamae ships, from the former Otaru Main Warehouse, the first commercial warehouse in Hokkaido, built by Kitamae ship owners Nishide Magozaemon and Nishitani Shohachi.

The story of Otaru, which has walked alongside the Kitamae ships, can be heard from this place.

We are looking forward to your visit and have a wide selection of original items that are only available here and make great souvenirs.

Click here for details on "UNGAPLUS" Store name : UNGAPLUS

address : 2-1-20 Ironai, Otaru 047-0031

phone : 0134-65-8150

Opening hours : 10:00~18:00

Closed days : Open everyday

Home page : Click here for the homepage

[Tourist attractions]

Blue Cave Otaru Aquarium Hanazono Area

Banking district Sakaimachi Shopping Street Night view of Otaru

Otaru Canal Cruise Sushi Street

[Historic Buildings]

【market】

[Our temple]

[Historic sites]

【landscape】

【shop】

[Restaurant]

Otaru Tourism Category List

Otaru Tourism Portal Homepage