Hello everyone.
From January 26th (Tue) to February 7th (Sun), Domingo is running a special collaboration campaign with SNOW MIKU 2021!

The stage for "Domingo × SNOW MIKU 2021" is Otaru City.
Every year in February, when the snowy landscapes are at their most beautiful, Otaru City hosts the "Otaru Snow Light Path," an event that illuminates the town with candlelight.
*The 23rd Otaru Snow Light Path has been canceled.
As part of this campaign, we're giving away an "Otaru Snow Light Path" original merchandise set to five lucky winners in a lottery!
We'll share more details about the giveaway later in the article. Be sure to read to the end.

This time, we spoke with Mr. Kondo, the chairman of the Otaru Snow Light Path Executive Committee's review board, about Otaru's signature winter event.

Chairman of the Executive Committee's Review Board Mr. Nobuhiro Kondo

What is the "Otaru Snow Light Path"?

The "Otaru Snow Light Path" is a magical event where the glow of candlelight gently illuminates the historic townscape.
From 5:00 PM, as the sun sets, until 9:00 PM, when the area is enveloped in darkness, the city is wrapped in the warm, handmade lights, with the Otaru Canal and the former Temiya Line site as the main venues.

Canal Venue

Temiya Line Venue

Mount Tengu Venue

The Otaru Snow Light Path, which would have celebrated its 23rd year, was started in 1999 by a group of passionate local volunteers who wanted to bring vitality back to the city of Otaru.

Typically, the event runs for about 10 days and attracts an incredible 500,000 visitors who come to enjoy the beautiful cityscape and the warm glow of the lights.

It has become a place of cultural exchange, drawing visitors not only from all over Hokkaido but also from Tokyo, Kyoto, and even from overseas, including Taiwan, China, and South Korea.

The Sentiments Behind the 'Snow Light'

The origin of the "Otaru Snow Light Path," a signature winter event in Hokkaido, is deeply connected to Otaru's history.
Otaru's development began in 1869 with the establishment of the Development Commission in Sapporo.

Otaru Port was positioned as the most crucial harbor for the development of Hokkaido, flourishing as the gateway to the island. The Otaru Canal was built to handle the increasing volume of cargo.

Furthermore, to transport coal from the inland Horonai Coal Mine, Hokkaido's first railway, the Horonai Railway, was opened in 1882. Otaru's role as a coal accumulation and shipping port expanded, leading to further prosperity.

However, in the 1960s, the energy revolution led to a decline in coal demand, and Hokkaido's coal mines closed one after another, causing Otaru's rapid decline.
Additionally, the rise of large-scale stores like department stores and mass retailers put smaller shops in a difficult position.

"We wanted to overcome these hardships and bring vitality back to Otaru. To do that, we needed to cooperate and encourage each other as a community. The Snow Light Path was born from that sentiment as a civic movement."

And so, in 1999, the "Otaru Snow Light Path" was created as a winter festival unique to Otaru.

Poster for the 1st Otaru Snow Light Path

The snow light event, started by people who care deeply for their town, would have celebrated its 23rd anniversary this year.

"The Snow Light Path is brought to life by the unseen efforts of our volunteer staff, which serve as its driving force."

The volunteer staff is a diverse group of people of all ages and from various regions. Some have been participating since the very beginning, while others include local elementary school students, a group of university students from Kyoto, and even a professional from Taiwan who takes a month-long vacation every year to help out.

In a typical year, a total of about 2,000 people volunteer, helping with tasks like making snow candles, lighting them, and watching over them.

Volunteers lighting the candles

The "Otaru Snow Light Path" is a warm, handmade event that would not be possible without the "passion" and "effort" of its many staff members.

(*For the 2021 event, volunteer recruitment was suspended to prevent the spread of COVID-19.)

The 23rd Otaru Snow Light Path: Cancellation Announcement

23rd Otaru Snow Light Path Poster

The past year has been difficult for many due to the impact of the coronavirus.
The "Otaru Snow Light Path" was forced to be canceled.

The snow light event was originally started to overcome a crisis of urban decline. In a situation like this, perhaps the strength of the snow lights could ignite a flame in many people's hearts.

"The light holds a prayer for the end of the pandemic and the power to heal people."

"I don't think the snow light belongs only to Otaru. I hope this circle of light spreads throughout the country."

Whether you live in Otaru or not, how about lighting a candle at home this winter?

What's in the "Original Merchandise Set" from the Campaign?

In this giveaway campaign, five lucky winners selected from the applicants will receive an "Otaru Snow Light Path Original Merchandise Set."
Download the app here!
Let's take a look at what's inside this set!

This is a wonderful set that lets you feel the warmth of the "Otaru Snow Light Path" from the comfort of your own home.
We look forward to your application through the Domingo app!

Summary

What did you think about the origins of the "Otaru Snow Light Path" and this year's situation?

Learning that this event was born from a collective desire to revive Otaru and overcome a crisis, the Domingo editorial team was deeply moved.

Be sure to enter the campaign for a chance to win the "Otaru Snow Light Path Original Merchandise Set"!