A path of candlelight gently illuminating a snowy port town
Otaru Snow Light Path
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Dates
- 2027/02/06 〜 2027/02/13Scheduled
- Season / frequency
- Every year around February / It is held every year.
- Location
- Otaru Canal, former Japanese National Railways Temiya Line
- Area
- Hokkaido・Otaru City(From Tokyo: approx. 1 h 30 min–2 h · flight time only)Prefecture-level estimate to a main station or airport, not the venue. Airport access, check-in and onward travel are extra; remote areas and islands can take much longer.
- Features
- Participation / viewing
- Spectators welcome
- Official website / social media
- Official website
- Last updated
- 2026/10/19
A winter event where snow and candlelight envelop the old streets of Otaru. You can enjoy night scenery unique to Otaru throughout the city, mainly along the canal and the former Japanese National Railways Temiya Line.
About Otaru Snow Light Path
Photo credits and terms of use
Photographer: 欅 File:Otaru yukiakari no michi.jpg / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 Own work by the contributorDisplay size only adjusted.May differ from the event currently featured.Photo credits and terms of use
Photographer: t-konno File:Otaru Snow Light Path 2013 - panoramio.jpg / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 t-konno https://www.panoramio.com/photo/86490203Display size only adjusted.May differ from the event currently featured.Photo credits and terms of use
Photographer: t-konno File:小樽雪あかりの路（Otaru Snow Light Path Festival） - panoramio (3).jpg / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 t-konno https://web.archive.org/web/20161030102034/http://www.panoramio.com/photo/103159027Display size only adjusted.May differ from the event currently featured.Otaru Snow Light Path is a winter event that illuminates the old streets of Otaru, Hokkaido, with candlelight.
It began through the efforts of local volunteers and combines the town’s historic scenery with snow and candlelight, mainly along the canal and the former Japanese National Railways Temiya Line.
Venues are spread throughout the city, making this an event where you can enjoy a winter night across Otaru.
Source: 第28回小樽雪あかりの路 開催日程について | 小樽市
Festival highlights
Highlights include glass-float candles floating on the water at Otaru Canal and snow candles and snow sculptures lining the former Japanese National Railways Temiya Line.
The glass floats used as floating candles are the same kind once used in the herring fishing that was once thriving in Otaru.
The snow and lights look different at each venue, and can be enjoyed alongside the scenery of this historic port town.
Source: 小樽雪あかりの路2027年2月6日(土)～13日(土) | イベント一覧 | イベント | ようこそさっぽろ
A path of candlelight gently illuminating a snowy port town
What to expect
Visitors walk along Otaru Canal and the former Japanese National Railways Temiya Line, where candles are lit, and admire snow sculptures and lanterns.
At the canal, you can enjoy floating glass-float candles on the water, while the former Temiya Line offers the snowy scenery characteristic of Otaru Snow Light Path.
Venues extend beyond the main sites to locations throughout the city, so you can also spend your time exploring the different atmospheres of each place.
How to take part
Visitors can watch the event.
Location and access
- Venue and address
Otaru Canal and the former Japanese National Railways Temiya Line are the main venues.
Venues are also set up throughout the city.
Event venue 北海道小樽市 小樽運河
This map uses the venue name. Check the official guide for the event area and entrances.
Dates and season
In 2027, it will be held for 8 days, from February 6 through the 13th.
The event dates have been set, but detailed information about each venue is expected to be announced later.
Details such as the lighting hours need to be checked in a later announcement.
Accommodation and hotels PR
Showing nearby accommodation.
Prices and availability are current at the time of retrieval. For multi-night stays, only the first night’s price is shown. Confirm the final price and directions to the venue with the booking provider. Select your dates again when using the area search link. Search area: within 3 km of Central Hokkaido / Otaru City (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Nearby attractions
Nearby attractions include Otaru Denuki Koji, Asakusabashi Park, Otaru Canal Cruise, and Otaru Art Base.
Source: 小樽雪あかりの路｜イベント｜【公式】北海道の観光・旅行情報サイト HOKKAIDO LOVE!
小樽オルゴール堂
北海道小樽市にあるオルゴールショップ · Museums
写真：松岡明芳 / CC BY-SA 3.0(resized and reformatted)
Photo source ·
小樽市総合博物館
北海道小樽市にある博物館
写真：Twilight2640 at Japanese Wikipedia / CC BY-SA 3.0(resized and reformatted)
Photo source ·
日和山灯台
北海道小樽市にある灯台
Origins and History of Otaru Snow Light Path
Otaru Snow Light Path began through the efforts of local volunteers in Heisei 11February.
It developed into an event that illuminates old streets with candlelight, with lights spreading to places emblematic of Otaru, including the canal and the former Japanese National Railways Temiya Line.
Neighborhood associations, shopping streets, schools, hospitals, and other groups across the city also help create the venues and light candles at their respective locations.
Official information
The 2027 Otaru Snow Light Path event announcement is available on the Otaru Tourism Association’s official website, Otaru Portal.
The event dates are announced as February 6 through the 13th, with further details to be shared once they are decided.
Otaru Snow Light Path at a Glance
Otaru Snow Light Path is a winter event that brightens Otaru’s historic streets with snow and candlelight.
The main highlights are the glass-float candles on Otaru Canal and the snowy scenery along the former Japanese National Railways Temiya Line.
In 2027, it will be held from February 6 through the 13th, but further details will be announced later.
Japanese Festivals.jp Editorial Team
Celebrating local culture and helping you discover a side of Japan you never knew.
Article updated: 2026/10/19
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