Unkai Terrace, located at Hoshino Resorts Tomamu in Hokkaido, is about a 2.5-hour drive from Sapporo. The word “unkai” in Japanese means “sea of clouds,” referring to a rare and breathtaking natural phenomenon that typically occurs on early mornings between late spring and early autumn. Tomamu’s resort typically operates from May to mid-October, offering a great chance to witness this heavenly sight.
If you’re lucky, you may find yourself gazing out over a seemingly endless sea of clouds, punctuated only by the peaks of surrounding mountains. Since this phenomenon is weather-dependent, Tomamu Hotel provides an unkai forecasting board at the front desk, and each hotel room is equipped with an online TV where guests can check the weather status at any time.
The observatory terrace opens early in the morning for a few hours, depending on the season and weather conditions. Visitors should note that operations may cease in the case of inclement weather.
To reach the terrace at an altitude of 1,088 meters, visitors take a 13-minute gondola ride. For non-hotel guests, the round-trip gondola fee is 1,900 yen per adult and 1,200 yen for children aged 7 to 11. Pets are also allowed for a fee of 500 yen, provided they are in a carrier. You can purchase a postcard at the terrace’s shop and mail it to someone anywhere around the world for free. Just slip it into the adorable blue unkai post box, and you’re good to go!
During our visit, we weren’t lucky enough to witness the sea of clouds (we hadn’t even known about this special attraction beforehand). Nevertheless, the panoramic views from the mountaintop were stunning. We savored a refreshing coffee break and wrote postcards in the crisp, clean air. Even without the clouds, the experience was unforgettable.
If you’re planning a trip to Hokkaido, why not add Unkai Terrace to your itinerary? Just remember to set your alarm early and keep an eye on the weather forecast to maximize your chances of experiencing the magical sea of clouds.