Tag: Grand Park Otaru

All You Need to Know: Otaru Snow Light Path Festival 2024

Ranked among Japan’s most vibrant winter festivals, the Otaru Snow Light Path Festival is set to take centre stage in February. Here’s what makes this winter event a must-experience highlight.

img via flickr

Winter Wonderland in Hokkaido

Schedules to take place from the 10th to the 17th of February, 2024, the Otaru Snow Light Path Festival or Otaru Yuki Akari no Michi as it’s locally known, is arguably the most captivating winter event in Japan.

What to Expect

Although most winter festivals in Japan include ice sculptures and snow exhibits, the Otaru Snow Light Path Festival focuses on illuminations of every shape and size. In fact, the entire fairground where the festival is held shimmers with candles, lanterns and other illuminations with a few snow statues thrown in for good measure.  Most of these sculptures are crafted by local children and artists who volunteer in large numbers to make the event a success.

Festival Zones

Divided into two areas called Temiyasen Kaijo and the Unga Kaijo, the latter is situated along the canal and features some of the most beautiful lanterns imaginable. Temiyasen Kaijo, on the other hand, is a path lined with lanterns that have been lit by volunteers using candles every evening. Tourists based at Grand Park Otaru or any other Hokkaido luxury hotels near the festival grounds can also bite into local delicacies available at food stalls located inside. In fact, an area of the festival site is dedicated to refreshments so visitors can also enjoy popular street food varieties during their winter wonderland tour.

Mt. Tengu

The Mt. Tengu sits at a breathtaking the height of 532.4 meters above sea level and happens to a be quite a famous place known for offering spectacular views of Otaru city and the Ishikiri Bay.

Mt. Tengu | Image Credit - As6022014 [Public domain], from Wikimedia Commons
Mt. Tengu | Image Credit – As6022014 [Public domain], from Wikimedia Commons

How to Get There

The mountain can be reached through a ropeway which will take around 4 minutes from the base of the mountain to the observatory point on top. For those who wish to take an alternative mode of transport, driving and hiking too are possible.

Things to See

Apart from providing some stunning views of the picturesque town of Otaru and the beautiful bay beyond, the summit has a seasonal chipmunk park, a shrine and a ski museum to see. There is also an interesting display hall with a Tengu Goblin mask which people touch to have a wish come true.

Things to Do

For those with a sense of adventure, there is hiking course to make use of and a restaurant/ shop to get a bite to eat and maybe a couple of souvenirs while enjoying the beautiful views.

Mt. Tengu in Winter

During winter Mt. Tengue transforms into a ski slope, where many snowboarding and skiing enthusiasts flock for some fun in the snow. With 6 ski courses and 3 ski lifts being installed annually, the place is quite a popular spot for tourists. The winter wonderland can easily be accessed by many an Otaru hotel near Jr. Station including the likes of Grand Park Otaru.

Caleb Falcon is a travel writer who specializes in writing content based on the many exciting world adventures that await intrepid travellers.

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