Otaru

Took the train to Otaru a sister city to Dunedin NZ.
Wandered round the old port. Admired old stone buildings and the strange almost yellow light on the Harbour

For their winter snow festival they make lots of ice pots some with leaves or dye and at night put candles inside that glow thru the snow or ice. There are hundreds and every business in the central area gets in on the act. Some streets seem to be used to store or dump snow, and amongst the heaps of snow they make dozens of snow niches for candles. But maybe these were actually parks not streets. I could not tell.

This photo is of the canel by the modernized warehouses. Lanterns are strung across plus snow lanterns which you can see on the right.
Very popular. The temperature is at or below zero
Close up of ice container. The container is made of ice not to hold ice. . Sorry its upside down did it twice and both times got this. The square of board is what the candle sits on and there is a transparent side protector to limit flame heat.