Otaru Snow Light Path Festival

If you are familiar with Hokkaido, then you know that is a sight to behold during the winter. When you think of Hokkaido it’s likely Sapporo and the Sapporo Snow Festival that come to mind. Have you ever heard of the Otaru Snow Light Path Festival that is held every February? This year it is taking place from February 8th- February 15th in Otaru city. If you’re like me and it’s your first time hearing about the festival and the city hosting it, buckle up and let’s dive into the city’s history and the history of this beautiful festival.

Otaru is a port city in Hokkaido. It is home to the Otaru Canal and the former Temiya railway line site. While both of these historic places are no longer used for their intended purposes, they are invaluable in their cultural significance and their places in the Otaru Snow Light Path Festival. Allow me to explain. The Otaru Canal was completed in 1923 and was a vital route of the Otaru port that eventually became a major trading hub in Hokkaido. Stone warehouses that housed cargo lined the streets. As time passed, modernization eventually made the canal no longer necessary for trade. By the 1950’s it began to see a decline.

Its once bustling streets and beautiful stonewarehouses were run down and soon there were plans to fill in the canal and change the area. However, the citizens recognized the importance of preserving the canal, and the plans were scrapped. Parts of the canal were restored and the historic stonewarehouses were renovated. This very canal is one of the main attractions for the Otaru Snow Light Path Festival. The former Temiya railway line site is another attraction for the Otaru Snow Light Path Festival. Though the line stopped running in 1985, the track is still seen as a precious relic. Just like the Otaru canal, the citizens decided to not throw it away but to find new beauty in it. (Pic 4 here)

According to Hokkaido pork, The Otaru Snow Light Path Festival, also known as the “Otaru Yukiakari no Michi, “was created in 1999, when the skiing events of the National Athletic Meet were to be held in Otaru, in response to citizens’ requests for something to do as a winter event”. Since 1999, the streets of Otaru have been lined with handmade snow sculptures, and ice sculptures while the Otaru canal is filled with candles. The overall goal of the festival is for people to leisurely enjoy the candlelight, self-reflection and “forgetting a little of their bothersome daily life in a rapidly changing society. They hope this festival will continue as a spiritual event rather than a commercially oriented festival” (Yukiakarinomichi).

The main festival events start at 17:00 and end at 21:00. According to Japan Guide, “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”. Here you can enjoy the illuminations and a few food stalls. From enjoying the beautiful scenery, you can also become a volunteer and help create the beautiful sculptures and light candles. If you’re interested in learning more, be sure to check out the official festival website at http://yukiakarinomichi.org/.

Make sure to bundle up and enjoy the view.