A winter trip to see snow and lights: the Otaru Snow Light Path and Hirosaki Castle Snow Lantern Festival

I want to enjoy winter festival scenery with snow and little lights. Two winter travel options are the Otaru Snow Light Path in Hokkaido and the Hirosaki Castle Snow Lantern Festival in Aomori. Both are known for their nighttime scenery, but your plans will differ depending on whether you walk around town or explore a park. Use the official information for 2026 as a reference when considering where to go next winter.

Otaru: Walk between lights around town

The 2026 Otaru Snow Light Path was held from February 7 through the 14th, with venues announced around the canal and elsewhere in the city. Since this event is about enjoying the town scenery and lights together, you can take it in at a relaxed pace by choosing the stretch you want to walk rather than trying to visit more venues. (Otaru Tourism Association, “The 28th Otaru Snow Light Path”）

If it’s your first time, choose 1 place you want to see, and set aside time before or after to eat or take a break somewhere warm. If you plan to walk from daytime sightseeing through the evening, you may be tired by the time the lights come on. We recommend planning your day around the time you want to spend viewing the lights.

Hirosaki: Enjoy the snow lanterns and park scenery

The Hirosaki Castle Snow Lantern Festival takes place in Hirosaki Park, where highlights include illuminated snow lanterns and mini kamakura. In 2026, it was held from February 6 through the 11th. The official information notes that displays may be changed or canceled depending on snow conditions, so it’s important not to assume you’ll definitely see the same scenery as in the photos. (Hirosaki Tourism and Convention Bureau, “Hirosaki Castle Snow Lantern Festival”）

In the park, decide in advance which entrance you’ll use and which exit you’ll take when leaving. To avoid ending up far from transportation for your return trip after visiting the places you want to see, consider planning a route that loops around the map. It’s easier to get around if you check your bearings while it’s still light, rather than trying to get your overall sense of direction for the first time after dark.

What to compare is how you get around, rather than how much snow there is

Festival	Planning your trip	Things to check in advance
Otaru Snow Light Path	Choose venues around town and take a stroll with breaks along the way	Illuminated sections, paths between venues, and transportation for the return trip
Hirosaki Castle Snow Lantern Festival	See the sights around the park	Entrances and exits, this year’s displays, and routes through the park

As well as dressing warmly, consider wearing shoes with good grip and preparing for wet feet. When taking photos, be careful not to block the path, and prioritize watching where you step. Save any maps you need in advance so you can spend less time removing your gloves to use your device.

Check the dates for the following year when they are announced

The 2026 festivals mentioned in this article have ended. As of 2026/10/01, Hirosaki’s official website lists the next event as running from February 10, 2027 through the 14th. For Otaru as well, be sure to check the dates and details for the year you plan to visit before booking. (Hirosaki Tourism and Convention Bureau, “Hirosaki Castle Snow Lantern Festival”）

We recommend allowing plenty of time for travel days and not packing in long-distance sightseeing right up until the day you leave. Rather than collecting views of lots of snowy scenery, take your time enjoying a single scene lit by lanterns. A winter festival trip like this can leave you with a lasting impression of the town, too.

Official sources consulted

• Otaru Tourism Association, “The 28th Otaru Snow Light Path”
• Hirosaki Tourism and Convention Bureau, “Hirosaki Castle Snow Lantern Festival”

This article is based on publicly available information from official sources, local governments, tourism associations, and others. Information checked: 2026/10/01. Please check the official information for the year you plan to visit for dates, venues, traffic restrictions, and participation requirements.