The winter tourism campaign “Otaru – Yoichi Snow Story” opened on November 1 under the joint-organization of the Otaru City and Yoichi Town Tourism Associations. After sunset, the Otaru Canal transformed into a “Blue Canal” lit by approximately ten thousand blue LED lights. The magical illumination produced a wonderful wintery illusion.
The Otaru Snow Story started in 2013, and this is the eighth installment. The neighboring town of Yoichi joined in 2015. Multiple events will unfurl up to February 13 of next year. The light ceremony has been cancelled this year due to the novel coronavirus pandemic. But at the blue-lit Otaru Canal, the college student child of a mother-and-child pair visiting from Kanagawa Prefecture said smiling, “The atmosphere is wonderful. I’m definitely going to take a picture for Instagram.” The Canal will be illuminated from sundown to 10:30 pm until January 31 of next year.
On November 1 in Yoichi, the “Amber Dream” illumination started. The JR Yoichi Station area is lit by amber colored LED lighting, producing a color reminiscent of whiskey.