Snow Light Path at Otaru

From Feb 5 to 14, there is a very interesting event held at Otaru called "雪あかりの路" (yukiakarinomichi), can be literary translated as "Snow light path".
This event involves people at Otaru voluntary light up the streets or some walkways with candle lights, or some snow decorations, as well as with floating light at the very famous tourist spot- The Otaru Canal. Thus creating a very romantic atmosphere during the night.
There are all together 8 locations where they put on the candle lights as shown, thus proper planning is required if you want to see them all:
As for us, we only visited locations 1 and 2.

When we (me and Ring) visited Otaru on 13 Feb, we only know that they will put on lights at the canal, have no idea at all about the 'snow light path' event. Hence, the whole fantastic experience was mere a result of accidentally discovery along the way we walked towards the canal from Otaru train station.

This was at location 2, we arrived at the moment the Sun about to set.
The track where the kid was walking wasn't really for walking...
It's for sliding...
but it was suppose to be done on a tire tubing actually, just that the kids earlier can't wait as the volunteers had yet bring up the tubing.
Besides the fun sliding track, there are many kinds of candle-lighted decorations along the 'snow light' pathway.
Some structure are big...This is like igloo ...
You can go in...
Then we arrive at the canal location,
the canal looks fantastic with the many floating candle lights...
*5DMarkII really deliver in landscape photography :)
Times for some model shots...
Ring really admiring the creativity of these wooden dolls...

On our way back from the canal to Otaru train station, we return back to location 2,
to finish the other half of the pathway...
An elder brother dragging his sibling... this is another reason why winter is enjoyable, when you have big brother like this...
Here, some generous Japanese give away mochi (餅 = sticky rice cake)...
Really makes you feel warm, the fire.
There are also some shop selling hot drinks....
Face decorations....
Some big snowman (or to be exact 'snow monster' which is not surprising as it's in Japan where many raksasa can be found) on the street...
These are how people of Otaru contributing to the event, they put on the candle lights in front of their shop.
The design or theme of the container which holds the candle are different from shop to shop.
In this case owl...
Colourful glass container by a hotel...
Some would opt for simpler solution- some cheap plastic ware...
and as for KFC...Finally, I highly recommend the visit to this event, much much much more fun and interesting compare to the famous snow festival (yukimatsuri) at Sapporo.