On August 4, 2021, Unkai Terrace, a popular observation deck in Hokkaido's Hoshino Resorts Tomamu, underwent renovations to expand the deck even deeper into the clouds than before.
The name means "Sea of Clouds Terrace," and when the weather conditions are right, you can indeed see a sea of clouds unfold right before your eyes. The new observation deck lets you get closer to the clouds than ever before.
There's even a cafe where you can enjoy sweets and drinks while looking out over the spectacular view of the sky. Introducing the new and improved Unkai Terrace!
- Table of Contents
-
- Hoshino Resorts Tomamu: A Mountain Resort Only 2 Hours from Sapporo!
- Unkai: A World in the Sky Surrounded By a Sea of Clouds
- The Secret Behind the Birth of Unkai Terrace
- 1. An Observation Deck Where You Can Reach Out and Touch the Clouds!
- 2. Three Different "Seas" that Change with the Weather
- 3. Cloud Cafe: Enjoy Cloud-themed Sweets... in the Clouds!
- An Experience You Won't Find on the Ground Awaits
Hoshino Resorts Tomamu: A Mountain Resort Only 2 Hours from Sapporo!
Hoshino Resorts Tomamu is a mountain resort located in Shimukappu Village in the central part of Hokkaido.
Spanning an area of about 1,000 hectares, there are a variety of activities you can enjoy throughout the year, including Unkai Terrace's spectacular summer view, and the Tomamu Ice Village's winter sports.
From Sapporo, it's about 100 minutes by limited express train or 120 minutes if you're taking the highway. From New Chitose Airport, it's about 90 minutes by limited express or 100 minutes by highway. The rich, green scenery welcomes you!
Unkai: A World in the Sky Surrounded By a Sea of Clouds
The "unkai," or "sea of clouds," is a natural phenomenon that occurs when fog or stratus clouds form through radiative cooling, causing the clouds to take the shape of a vast sea in the sky.
Hoshino Resorts Tomamu's Unkai Terrace is located at an altitude of 1,088 meters and offers a stunning view of the unkai, the Hidaka Mountains, and the sun rising up from behind the mountains.
The Secret Behind the Birth of Unkai Terrace
One summer, one of the gondola maintenance staff members came up with a great idea. They realized that though the sea of clouds, visible only from dawn to early morning, and only from spring to autumn, was a familiar sight to the staff, visitors rarely experienced it.
The staff eagerly suggested: what if more people could see such a wonderful sight? They opened up to the public in 2005, and the sea of clouds quickly became a hot topic. In 2006, Unkai Terrace was born.
Since the 2017 opening of Cloud Pool, an observation deck resembling a hammock in the sky, the number of visitors to Unkai Terrace has rapidly increased, reaching 1.2 million in the fall of 2020.
So let's take a look at the three points that have recently undergone renovations!
1. An Observation Deck Where You Can Reach Out and Touch the Clouds!
This observation deck has been renovated into a three-story building about 12 meters high, and can now accommodate up to 900 visitors - about five times as many as before! It protrudes straight out into the clouds, leaving you feeling as if you're floating through the white waves.
2. Three Different "Seas" that Change with the Weather
There are three different kinds of "Seas of Clouds" that you may see in Tomamu.
Pacific Ocean Sea of Clouds
The "Pacific Ocean Sea of Clouds," which looks like a gushing waterfall, can only be seen when eastern Hokkaido experiences high pressure, and weak, eastern winds blow from night to morning.
Tomamu Sea of Clouds
For the Tomamu Sea of Clouds, the early morning temperature at the mountain summit must be higher than that at the foot of the mountain, causing a low sea of clouds to form. When this happens, The Tower may become fully engulfed in the sea of clouds!
Bad Weather Sea of Clouds
The "Bad Weather Sea of Clouds" is a phenomenon in which the stratus clouds that cling to the mountains expand into a "sea" of clouds in such a way that they overlap. You'll often see this formation on bad-weather days caused by approaching fronts and low-pressure systems.
3. Cloud Cafe: Enjoy Cloud-themed Sweets... in the Clouds!
Overlook the magnificent view of Tomamu from the large glass window of the newly opened Cloud Cafe.
The entire menu offers cloud-themed sweets, including the Cloud Soft Cream (600 yen, including tax), lemon and vanilla Cloud Macaroons (700 yen, including tax), and the double-layered Unkai Au Lait, made with milk and butterfly pea to resemble the blue sky and the sea of clouds (600 yen, including tax).
Enjoy these whimsical cloud-shaped designs as you relax indoors on the couch.
An Experience You Won't Find on the Ground Awaits
The newly-renovated Unkai Terrace now offers an amazing view of the magnificent mountains on a clear day, and an expansive sea of clouds in the morning. From the moment you step off the gondola, you'll be fascinated by a view unlike any you've ever seen from the ground!
*Photos courtesy of Hoshino Resorts Tomamu
Health and Safety Measures
Disinfection, sterilization, and cleaning of store interior and equipment / disinfectant installed / disinfected after each customer / in-store ventilation measures in place / Staff wear masks, wash hands, use disinfectant, gargle, and monitor body temperature / Customers requested to wear masks
Accommodation for Foreign Visitors
English-speaking staff available. Information boards also available in foreign languages.
-
-
Address
Nakatomamu, Shimukappu-mura, Yuufutsu-gun, Hokkaido, 079-2204
View Map -
Nearest Station
Tomamu Station (Sekisho Line)
5 minutes by bus
- Phone Number 0167-58-1111
-
Address
Nakatomamu, Shimukappu-mura, Yuufutsu-gun, Hokkaido, 079-2204
Text by: Masakazu
Information in this article as of August 2021. Please see official website for the latest updates.
- Area
- Category
*Prices and options mentioned are subject to change.
*Unless stated otherwise, all prices include tax.
Recommended places for you
-
Appealing
Rukku and Uohei
Izakaya
Sapporo / Chitose
-
Former Hokkaido Government Office Building (Red Brick Office)
Other Historic Sites
Sapporo / Chitose
-
Appealing
Otaru Canal
Rivers, Lakes & Canyons
Otaru
-
Appealing
Odori Park
Parks
Sapporo / Chitose
-
Sapporo Clock Tower
Landmarks
Sapporo / Chitose
-
Hokkaido University
Other Architecture
Sapporo / Chitose
-
Touch the Sky: Enjoy Seasonal Escapes on the Asahidake Ropeway (Hokkaido)
-
Enjoy Autumn Hues in Japan's Wild Frontier: Two-Day Road Trip Itinerary for Mount Daisetsu and Asahikawa (Hokkaido)
by: Hide
-
A Tour of Niseko Distillery: Exploring the World of Japanese Whiskey and Craft Gin
-
Family-Friendly Dining: 5 Must-Try Seafood Restaurants in Hokkaido
by: Nobuka Kawashima
-
Step into History at the Ofune World Heritage Site: Explore Hokkaido's Jomon Culture
-
Beyond Hakodate and Matsumae: Enjoy the Hidden Gems of Hokkaido’s Donan Area
-
12 Fun Things to Do Near Otaru Canal: Art, History & More
-
Hokkaido Lavender Fields: 6 Best Places in Furano to See Japan's Dreamiest Purple Meadows
by: Nobuka Kawashima
-
Scenic Road Trip from Hakodate to Matsumae: Stunning Views, Traditions, and Tasty Delights
by: Nobuka Kawashima
-
5 Hokkaido Road Trips Through The Inspirational Scenery Of Japan's Heartland
-
Visiting Muhyo Terrace Tomamu: Hokkaido's Incredible Frozen Landscapes!
-
10 Important Japanese Phrases to Know Before You Enter a Japanese Convenience Store!
by: Teni Wada
- #best sushi hokkaido
- #things to do hokkaido
- #best ramen sapporo
- #what to bring to japan
- #new years in tokyo
- #what to buy in ameyoko
- #japanese nail trends
- #what to do in odaiba
- #onsen tattoo friendly tokyo
- #daiso
- #best sweets otaru
- #japanese fashion culture
- #best nature furano
- #japanese convenience store snacks
- #best japanese soft drinks