Candlelit Snowy Nights: Your Guide to Otaru Snow Light Path 2026
Winter in Otaru has a crisp, clear air that naturally makes you stand a little taller as you walk through the city. During these cold winter nights, the city is softly embraced by an event called the “Otaru Snow Light Path” (Otaru Yuki Akari no Michi). The candlelight flickering quietly in the snow isn’t overwhelming or bright, but there’s something mysterious about it—just looking at the glow calms your mind and warms you from the inside out.
This year marks the 28th anniversary of the Otaru Snow Light Path. Most of the main event sites are actually within easy walking distance of our hotel! One of the best ways to enjoy this event is to bundle up in your warmest clothes and take a leisurely evening stroll through the illuminated streets.
Otaru Snow Light Path | Venue Guide
1. Canal Venue (Main Venue)
The Otaru Canal is the most iconic scenery in the city. During the event, the canal-side is bathed in a soft glow, revealing a completely different personality compared to the daytime. In addition to the lights lining the snow-covered paths, the canal itself features candles placed inside glass fishing buoys—a nod to Otaru’s maritime history—floating on the water. The flickering lights reflected on the surface, the historic stone warehouses, and the retro gas lamps all combine to create a truly romantic and ethereal atmosphere.
The Canal Venue is just a 6-minute walk from UNWIND HOTEL & BAR OTARU.
Please enjoy a quiet night walk and soak in the stillness.
2. Temiya Line Venue
The “Former National Railway Temiya Line” stretches from Sushiya-dori to the Otaru Museum. This historic track was once part of the “Government-run Horonai Railway,” the very first railway in Hokkaido. Even now, the original tracks remain quietly preserved beneath the winter snow. This venue is lined with snow sculptures and lanterns, creating a silence so deep it feels like the snow absorbs even the sound of your footsteps. It tends to be less crowded than the Canal Venue, offering a more peaceful atmosphere. Taking a moment away from the hustle and bustle to watch the lights will surely become a warm winter memory that makes you forget the cold.
3. Otaru Art Base Venue
Located right in front of UNWIND HOTEL & BAR OTARU, the Otaru Art Base venue is incredibly convenient—just a 1-minute walk away. You can even catch a glimpse of the lights from our lobby bar, Bar Ignis Otaru. The square is filled with snow lights set against the backdrop of the “Former Mitsui Bank Otaru Branch,” a magnificent stone building designated as an Important Cultural Property. It’s a place where you can witness the perfect intersection of history and the gentle glow of winter.
4. Mt. Tengu Venue
Mt. Tengu offers one of the “Three Best Night Views of Hokkaido.” During the Snow Light Path, Mt. Tengu transforms into a special landscape of light. Imagine the sprawling night view of Otaru below you, complemented by the gentle flicker of candles at your feet. It’s a quiet, luxurious moment you can only experience here.
For access, we recommend taking a bus or a taxi. Our front desk can help arrange a taxi for you, so please feel free to ask.
Access by Bus：
- From UNWIND HOTEL & BAR OTARU, walk to the “Otaru Art Base” bus stop (1-minute walk).
- Take the Hokkaido Chuo Bus “Route 9: Tenguyama Ropeway Line (bound for Tenguyama)” (approx. 16 minutes).
- Get off at the “Tenguyama” terminal stop.
- Take the Mt. Tengu Ropeway to the observatory (approx. 5 minutes).
* Please note that taxis can be very busy during the winter season. We recommend giving yourself plenty of extra time for travel.
Mt. Tengu Ropeway Overview
- Operating Period: November 29, 2025 (Sat) – March 31, 2026 (Tue)
- Hours (Upward): 9:00 AM – 7:48 PM
- Hours (Downward): 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM
*Operations may be suspended or schedules changed depending on weather conditions. Please check the official Mt. Tengu Ropeway & Ski Resort website for the latest updates.
Recommended Way to Explore
The Otaru Snow Light Path is free to enter at all venues, and no reservations are required! Its charm lies in the fact that you can just wander in whenever the mood strikes you. If you’re fitting this into your sightseeing schedule, we recommend focusing on these three main areas：
- Canal Venue
- Temiya Line Venue
- Otaru Art Base Venue
Traveling by car can actually take longer due to congestion in the nearby parking lots. Since all of these spots are within walking distance of our hotel, we highly recommend exploring on foot so you can enjoy the city’s lights as you go!
How to Stay Warm: Clothing Tips
To fully enjoy the Snow Light Path, proper winter gear is essential!
Recommended Items:
- Slip-resistant winter boots (we also recommend “spikes” that you can attach to your own shoes).
- A heavy winter coat (down coats or fleece-lined jackets are best).
- Gloves (smartphone-compatible ones are very convenient).
- Knit hat (or earmuffs).
- Scarf
A pro-tip: Keep your “three necks” warm—your neck, your wrists, and your ankles. The skin is thinner there and large blood vessels are close to the surface, so keeping these areas covered helps improve your overall circulation and keeps your whole body warm. Use these items to stay comfortable during your Otaru night!
Savor the Afterglow at Bar Ignis Otaru
Don’t let your body stay chilled after your walk—come warm up at our lobby bar, Bar Ignis Otaru. During the Snow Light Path event, we are serving two types of special hot cocktails. Enjoy a warm drink while soaking in the lingering magic of the snow lights. Bar Ignis Otaru is open to both hotel guests and visitors.
UNWIND Hot Cider (1,600 yen tax included)
A hot cocktail made with cider (apple wine) from an Otaru winery, blended with Yoichi apple juice, liqueur, fragrant Calvados, and spices. The sweet, rich apple flavor and subtle spice notes allow you to experience the full essence of a Hokkaido winter.
UNWIND Chocolat Chaud (1,600 yen tax included)
A sophisticated hot chocolate for adults, combining tea liqueur, chocolate, and milk tea, with a hint of hazelnut liqueur as an accent. The rich depth of the chocolate and the elegant aroma of tea and nuts will warm you to the core. It’s the perfect slow drink to enjoy before heading to bed.
Menu Overview
- Availability Period：
- UNWIND Hot Cider: November 16, 2025 (Sun) – March 31, 2026 (Tue)
- UNWIND Chocolat Chaud: February 1, 2026 (Sun) – February 28, 2026 (Sat)
- Location: Bar Ignis Otaru (1F, UNWIND HOTEL & BAR OTARU)
- Hours: 7:30 PM – 11:30 PM (L.O. 11:00 PM)
- *Available for hotel guests and visitors.
Gentle Lights in Winter Otaru
The Otaru Snow Light Path is a long-standing tradition that brings a quiet warmth to the winter city. Every year, we look forward to the time when countless lights illuminate Otaru with such gentleness.
Actually, when I was a child, I used to make these snow lights with my grandmother using buckets. My hands would be freezing and numb, yet the moment the candle was lit, I felt a strange sense of relief and peace. Perhaps because of that memory, seeing the snow lights today always makes me feel nostalgic. For us as staff, it’s not just an event for visitors; it’s a precious time that signals the true arrival of winter.
When you visit Otaru, please take a walk along the Snow Light Path and enjoy a unique winter night moment.
Otaru Snow Light Path 2026 Event Overview
- Dates: February 7, 2026 (Sat) – February 14, 2026 (Sat)
- Lighting Hours: 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
- *Events may be canceled or end early depending on weather conditions. Please check the official Otaru Snow Light Path Instagram for the latest information.
UNWIND HOTEL & BAR OTARU
Facility Overview
- Name: UNWIND HOTEL & BAR OTARU
- Address: 1-8-25 Ironai, Otaru, Hokkaido
- Access: Approx. 35 minutes from Sapporo Station to Otaru Station via JR Hakodate Main Line, then a 10-minute walk from Otaru Station to the hotel.