2023/11/1-2024/1/31

Time: Sunset~22:30

Place: Otaru Canal Asakusa Bridge to Chuo Bridge
 

Illuminations add a romantic dash of color to the cold season. During this season, the Otaru canal is specially illuminated with 10,000 blue LED’s. The best time to go is in the so-called ‘blue hour’, the period just after sunset when a little blue is still visible in the darkness. Enjoy the magical air brought to the canal as the blue of the lights mixes with that of the sky.

During this period, the popular Otaru Canal cruise ships are also clad in blue lights as they transport you along the canal.

2023/11/1-2024/2/18

Place: Inside Canal Plaza (2-1-20 Ironai, Otaru)

Canal Plaza Business Hours 9:00-18:00

※Business Hours May Vary

 
The hand-stacked ‘Wine Glass Tower’ makes for an appropriate symbol of Otaru, also known as the ‘town of glass’. The tower is a popular photo spot and this year it will once again be built from 2,000 individual wine glasses stacked on top of one another.

2023/11/1-2024/2/18

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You can enjoy special drinks and food only available during the Snow Story event at restaurants in Otaru and Yoichi on a winter night.

Please enjoy Otaru and Yoichi winter nights while tasting local drinks and food.

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Special Offer

Customers who order the special menu will receive a limited-edition Snow Story coaster!

*Coasters will be available at each participating restaurant.

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▼Participating Restaurants

Yoichi

1. Winery Restaurant OcciGabi

2. MareBlu & MORAN BAGEL

3. Yoichi Wine Trattoria YOICCINI

4. Y’n

5. Nikka Whisky Yoichi Distillery

      RITA’S KITCHEN

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Otaru

  6.Authent Hotel Otaru

      Top Lounge Polestar

  7.Osteria Il Piatto Nuovo

  8.Kushiyaki Taisho Hanazono Store

  9.Mt. Tengu TENGUU CAFÉ

10.Nikka Bar Rita

11. Restaurant Mangiare TAKINAMI

12.Wine, Cheese, and Organic Vegetables         Restaurant YUKIAKARI

​13.Unwind Hotel & Bar Otaru

     BAR IGNIS OTARU

14.COTARU

15.Public Bar Bridge

2023/11/1-2024/2/18

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The stamp rally connecting Otaru and Yoichi, which was very popular last year, will be held again this year!

This year, a total of five stamps will be placed at one location each in Otaru and Yoichi.

After visiting Otaru and Yoichi, you can see the completed “treasure picture” of the area by layering the 5 stamps on the same card.

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Stamp Locations

[Otaru]

Otaru Station Tourist Information (2-22-15 Inaho, Otaru) 9:00-18:00

[Yoichi]

Elra Plaza / Tourist Information Center (5-43 Kurokawa, Yoichi) ※ Next to JR Yoichi Station 9:00-17:30

Please travel by bus, JR, or car (approximately 20-30 minutes)

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*Cards for the stamp rally are available at each stamp location.

*There is no order to complete the picture, but the picture turns out better if you start in Otaru first, then Yoichi.

*Available hours for the stamp in Yoichi has changed. (～18:00 → ～17:30）

*Stamp design shown is for illustration purposes only. Actual design will differ.

Saturday in Dec. and Jan.
 

Otaru Tourism Association's guides are voluntarily offering this free guided walking tour which lasts roughly one hour. Starting at the Canal Plaza, enjoy walking the hourlong course while taking in detailed information on Otaru’s historic buildings. Join us for this casual trip. 

No need to book in advance. Come directly to Canal Plaza. 

*Wear non-slip shoes and warm clothing!　*As soon as there is a group of 10, the tour will begin. 

* Please note tours are only available in Japanese.  

 

(Event will be canceled in case of inclement weather)

 

■Dates

・December 9 (Saturday)

・December 16 (Saturday)

・December 23 (Saturday)

・January 6 (Saturday)

・January 13 (Saturday)

・January 20 (Saturday)

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■Registration Hours 16:00-17:00

2023/11/1-2024/2/18
Place: Around JR Yoichi Station

Time: 16:00-22:00
※From 17:00 in February

The area in front of JR Yoichi Station is illuminated in a shade of amber fitting for a town associated with whiskey. This relaxing, warm hue is a welcoming sight for all visitors.

2023/11/1-2024/1/31

Place: JR Otaru Station

On display in JR Otaru Station, the gateway to sightseeing in Otaru, are works of art from Otaru’s workshops. Not just for tourists, every year this display proves extremely popular with locals and commuters on route to work or study. 

2023/11/1-2024/2/18

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Held in Otaru and Yoichi in winter, visitors can enjoy walking around town with lanterns during the “Night Lantern Walk.” Visitors can experience the “snow light” created by their own steps as the light reflects off the snow, making their surroundings slightly brighter.

Lantern Rentals

▼Otaru

Only available to those who stay at the participating hotels.

Please inquire at the front desk of each hotel.

 

Hotels

・Authent Hotel Otaru

・Grand Park Otaru

・Hotel Torifito Otaru Canal

・UNWIND HOTEL & BAR OTARU

・GRIDS PREMIUM HOTEL OTARU

・Hotel Neuschloss Otaru

・Otaru Kourakuen

・Winkel Village

・Otaru Asari Classe Hotel

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▼Yoichi

Tourist Information Center (Inside Elra Plaza)

5-43 Kurokawa-cho, Yoichi ※Next to JR Yoichi Station

[Business Hours] 9：30～17：30

[Closed] Mondays & New Year’s Holiday

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*Lanterns are for rent. Please make sure to return them.

*Please note that there is only a limited number of rental lanterns available.

2023/11/1-2024/2/18
Hours: 9:00～17:30

Place: JR Yoichi Station 2nd Floor Exhibition Hall

*Closed: Mondays

*Closed December 29～January 3 due to facility closure

*Change in hours (～18:00 → ～17:30​）

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Exhibit of snow-themed artwork by a Yoichi artist. In combination with the artwork, it is a photo spot that looks great on social media.

Visitors can see the Nikka Whisky Yoichi Distillery, which is an important cultural asset, from the exhibition hall. 

 

A small sumika is set up in the exhibition hall on the 2nd floor of Yoichi Station.

Please enter through the small entrance like the secret fort you secretly built when you were a child.