1Blue Canal

An illumination event that paints the winter canal blue

This is a long-running illumination event that takes place every year from November to January. Approximately 10,000 blue LEDs are hung on the Otaru Canal, which is lit up at sunset. The lights of the illuminations reflect off the surface of the canal and the snow, creating a very romantic scene where the entire area is dyed blue. The Otaru Canal Night Cruise, which is popular among tourists, also has an illuminated cruise ship during the event, which travels around the canal covered in blue light.

Blue Canal

• https://otaru.gr.jp/citizen/winter-blue-canal
• Hokkaido Otaru City Minatomachi (Otaru Canal Asakusabashi to Chuobashi) MAP
• (Fri), November 1, 2024 -(Fri), January 31, 2025
  Sunset to 22:30
• free
• 0134-33-2510（小樽観光協会）
• None (use paid Parking in the city)

2Otaru Snow Light Path

Snow candles are a seasonal sight in Otaru in winter

A popular winter event held every February. Numerous snow candles are lit all over the city, warming up Otaru in the bitter cold.
At the main venue, Otaru Canal, "floating ball candles" - lit candles in spherical glass - are floated on the water, and snow candles are lined up along the walking path. The sight of the stone warehouses along the canal, enveloped in candle light as the floating ball lights sway, is so beautiful it makes you forget the cold. Combined with the light of the gas lamps, it creates a nostalgic atmosphere.

A warm landscape born from the bonds between people

The Otaru Snow Light Path is supported by volunteer Staff/staff member made up of local residents, students, foreigners, etc. In addition to setting up and running the main venue, the city's shopping streets, neighborhood associations, local businesses, and private homes all put their own unique touches to creating snow candles and snow objects.
As the sun sets, the candles are lit one by one, and the sight of the ring of light spreading across the city makes you feel the bond between the people who continue to cherish and protect this event. If you take a look around the streets and back alleys that are not listed in guidebooks, you may come across an unexpected, warm scene.

Otaru Snow Light Path

• http://yukiakarinomichi.org/
• Hokkaido Otaru City Map
• (Sat) February 8, 2025 -(Sat) February 15, 2025
• free
• 0134-32-4111 内線7267（小樽雪あかりの路 実行委員会事務局／小樽市産業港湾部観光振興室）
• None (use paid Parking in the city)

3Snow Cruise Owners

Enjoy the snow on the slopes with spectacular ocean views

An urban ski resort that can be Direction in about 30 minutes by car from Otaru city, and 45 minutes from Sapporo city. From near the summit, you can enjoy a panoramic view of Ishikari Bay, and you can enjoy skiing and snowboarding with the exhilarating feeling of jumping into the sea.
There are eight slopes that can be enjoyed by beginners to advanced skiers. All the courses are compact and arrive at the same lift station, so there is no need to worry about getting separated from your companions. In addition, the free "Beginner Area EZ6" has a gentle slope and is recommended for beginner skiers and snowboarders to practice, and for children to play sledding.

You can also enjoy night skiing while watching the beautiful night view.

Another attraction of Snow Cruise Owns is its long opening hours, from 9am to 11pm. At night, the ocean view slopes are transformed into a night view with the city lights of Sapporo twinkling. The view changes with the time of day, so you'll never get bored. The center house near the slopes has a rest area and a kids' space, and the Restaurant has a wide variety of menu items, so even families can have fun all day.
There is a full range of rental services available, and there is even a "hands-free pack" that includes equipment, clothing, lift tickets, and meal vouchers, so you can hit the slopes while sightseeing in Otaru.

Snow Cruise Owners

• https://onze.jp/
• 357 Harukacho, Otaru, Hokkaido MAP
• Take the free shuttle bus from JR Zenibako Station
• Mid-December 2024 to (Sun) March 23, 2025 (planned)
  9:00〜23:00
• One-day lift ticket (night skiing available): 4,800 yen for adults, 4,000 yen for seniors and junior and senior high school students, 3,100 yen for elementary school students
  Lift ticket: Adults 700 yen, Seniors and Junior and Senior High School Students 600 yen, Children 400 yen
  Hands-free pack (equipment and clothing, one-day lift pass, meal voucher): 16,500 yen for adults, 12,000 yen for seniors and junior and senior high school students, 11,000 yen for elementary school students
  *There are many other lift tickets available, such as 4-hour and 6-hour tickets. Please check the website for details.
• 0134-62-2228
• free

4Otaru Aquarium

Northern marine life is thriving despite the cold

Otaru Aquarium regularly displays over 250 kinds of marine animals and fish. From early December, the aquarium opens for winter, and hosts unique events that take advantage of the snow and cold. The "Penguin Stroll in the Snow" is a popular winter event where you can see Gentoo penguins strolling right before your eyes. You won't be able to take your eyes off the adorable animals as they wander freely through the snow. At the "Frozen! Pool," which is set up outdoors only during the winter, you will be greeted by two spotted seals. On days when it's cold enough that the water surface freezes, you can see them swimming through the ice just like in the wild.

Enjoy a warm atmosphere inside the aquarium that you won't find at other aquariums

There is a lot to see inside the Otaru Aquarium. Taro, a green sea turtle that was rescued in 2007 without its right front leg and has made a remarkable recovery, is hugely popular with people of all ages, from children to adults. The aquarium is also the only place in Japan where rare porpoises are kept and exhibited, allowing visitors to see their charming appearance up close. There are many ways to enjoy the aquarium, including watching a show featuring bottlenose dolphins and sea lions (a type of sea lion) at the indoor dolphin stadium or enjoying gourmet food at New Sanko Otaru Aquarium, a long-established Western Restaurant in Otaru City.

Otaru Aquarium

• https://otaru-aq.jp/
• 3-303 Shukutsu, Otaru, Hokkaido MAP
• Take the bus from JR Otaru Station and get off at "Otaru Aquarium"
• 9:00-17:00 (Winter 10:00-16:00)
  *Closing times may vary depending on the season. Please check the website for details.
• Late February to mid-March, late November to mid-December
  Marine mammal parks and amusement parks are closed in winter
• Winter (mid-December to late February): High school students and above 1,100 yen, elementary and junior high school students 440 yen, infants (3 years and older) 220 yen
  Regular (mid-March to late November): High school students and above 1,800 yen, elementary and junior high school students 700 yen, infants (3 years and older) 350 yen
• 0134-33-1400
• Paid (free in winter)

5Otaru Beer Otaru Warehouse No.1

Otaru Beer's brewery pub where you can also tour the brewery

Enjoying a cold beer indoors is a pleasure unique to Hokkaido in winter. When the snowstorm or cold weather makes walking around the city too much for you, why not enjoy some delicious beer and a tour of the brewery, Otaru Warehouse No. 1, which also has an Otaru Beer pub?
You can peek down at the brewing kettle that sits right in front of the seats, experience the sound and smell of yeast bubbling away in the fermentation tank, and even taste the wort before it becomes beer. You can tour the brewery at your leisure, but there are free tours held every 30 minutes that do not require a reservation, and Staff/staff member will give you an explanation.

Toast with traditional German beer and delicious food

"Otaru Beer" is a traditional German beer made only with water, malt, and hops, based on the "Beer Purity Law" that was promulgated in Germany in 1516. The beer pub offers three types of regular beer with live yeast, as well as seasonal beers, fruit beers, apple cider, and other non-alcoholic drinks.
In addition, there are plenty of dishes that go well with German beer, such as sauerkraut, homemade sausages, pretzels (German bread), and Hokkaido pork schnitzels (German-style cutlets). The atmosphere of the restaurant, which uses a stone warehouse along the Otaru Canal, is charming, and makes the beer taste even more delicious.

Otaru Beer Otaru Warehouse No.1

• https://otarubeer.com/jp/?page_id=357
• 5-4 Minatomachi, Otaru, Hokkaido MAP
• Approximately 14 minutes walk from JR Otaru Station
• 11:00〜22:00（L.O. 21:00）
• Irregular holidays
• 0134-21-2323
• None
• Brewery tours are free (no reservations required) and are conducted every 30 minutes from 11:10 until 17:10 (approximately 20 minutes).
  Depending on Staff/staff member availability, there may be cases where only free tours are available.