See the Sea of Clouds in Hokkaido!
Where to Find It and How It Forms

Mashu Kamuy Terrace is a visitor facility that opened on the shores of Lake Mashu in 2022.

Located next to the Mashu Daiichi Observation Deck, it's a spectacular spot where you can fully take in both the mystical lake and a sea of clouds.

Long known for its fog, "misty Lake Mashu" sometimes offers a milky-white cloud sea that blankets the entire lake from early summer through autumn.

From the terrace, you can gaze at leisure upon the sea of clouds as it shifts by the moment above the sweeping curves of the land below.

Why not take in this once-in-a-lifetime view, which appears only briefly around sunrise?

At an elevation of 525 meters, Bihoro Pass is a scenic mountain pass offering panoramic views of Lake Kussharo, Japan's largest caldera lake.

The lake and old-growth forest spread out below, while a sea of clouds may drift above them, creating a breathtaking sight.

On early mornings when conditions are right, dense clouds can form thick enough to cover the lake surface.

The roadside station "Gurutto Panorama Bihoro Pass" is located right beside the pass, with an observation area where you can take in the view comfortably.

For a true sense of the scale of Hokkaido's landscape, this is a spectacular spot well worth visiting.

Rising to 947 meters southwest of Lake Kussharo, Tsubetsu Pass Observation Deck is one of Hokkaido's premier places to view a sea of clouds.

When one forms, the landscape becomes dreamlike, as though you were walking on a carpet of clouds.

If you are lucky, the morning sun may break through gaps in the clouds, creating a spectacular sunrise over the sea of clouds—a moving sight only those there at the right moment can experience.

Because this view appears only in the chilly early-morning hours, be sure to dress warmly.

The road is closed in winter due to snowfall, so check access conditions before visiting.

Mikuni Pass is Hokkaido's highest mountain pass road, at an elevation of 1,139 meters.

Located in the heart of Daisetsuzan National Park, the vast expanse of old-growth forest stretching to the horizon is a sight on a scale unique to Hokkaido.

On early mornings when conditions are right, a milky-white sea of clouds can form over the forest, creating a striking contrast of green and white.

A café beside the observation area lets you enjoy the scenery over a cup of coffee.

It is a memorable place to stop during a drive.

The Furano Ropeway carries up to 101 passengers to the summit station at roughly 900 meters above sea level.

From Panorama Deck 900 on the roof of the summit station, you can enjoy sweeping views of the Furano Basin, the Daisetsuzan mountain range, and Mt. Tokachi.

From roughly mid-August through October, a sea of clouds may form over the basin in the early morning when conditions are right, creating a breathtaking carpet of clouds below.

Shin Furano Prince Hotel is nearby, making it a convenient base for early-morning viewing or a stroll around the summit area.

Enjoy a refreshing highland morning unique to Furano.

Connecting Lake Toya and Noboribetsu, Orofure Pass is a scenic viewpoint close to famed hot spring areas including the Jigokudani (Hell Valley) of Noboribetsu.

From the observation deck at roughly 930 meters, you can look out over a cloud sea filling the deep ravine below the sheer rock face.

The contrast between the rugged cliffs and the soft sea of clouds is a powerful spectacle you won't find anywhere else.

It's also a wonderful spot to enjoy the changing seasons, from fresh spring greenery to autumn foliage and snowy winter scenery.

Mt. Hakodate rises to 334 meters and is a beloved symbol of Hakodate.

Although best known for its "million-dollar night view," sea fog can sometimes blanket the city, especially in early summer, creating a sea of clouds.

This is said to occur when three conditions align: a low-pressure system over Honshu brings moist southerly winds, winds in Hakodate are calm, and skies are clear.

The resulting combination of mist and city lights, known locally as a "foggy night view," offers a fantastical scene unlike the mountain's usual night view.

The summit observation deck is open 24 hours and can be reached by the Mt. Hakodate Ropeway or by car, making it accessible for early-morning viewing.

*Private and rental cars cannot use the road during the winter closure or vehicle-restricted hours.

Located at an elevation of 560 meters on the slopes of Mt. Kijihiki in Hokuto, in southern Hokkaido, "Kijihiki Plateau Panorama Observation Deck" is a spectacular spot.

It offers sweeping views of Lake Onuma below, Mt. Komagatake rising beyond it, and even the Tsugaru Strait and Mt. Hakodate in the distance.

On days when weather conditions align, you may catch a fantastical pairing of a cloud sea spreading around Lake Onuma with Mt. Komagatake floating above it.

A covered indoor observation facility is also available, so you can enjoy the view comfortably even on windy days or chilly early mornings.

A "cloud sea" is a natural phenomenon in which clouds blanket the landscape like an ocean, seen when looking down from a mountaintop or other high vantage point.

It tends to appear only during the brief window around sunrise, forming only when weather conditions, terrain, and season all come together.

Hokkaido, in particular, brings together nearly ideal conditions for a cloud sea — vast plains, rugged mountains, and a cool inland climate — making it one of Japan's leading destinations for cloud sea sightseeing.

The moment when a sea of clouds is dyed by the morning sun is a miraculous sight reserved only for those who happen to be there.

Several weather conditions need to align for a sea of clouds to form.

Generally, the chances increase when four factors come together: a sharp drop in temperature from night into early morning, a large temperature difference from the previous day, light winds, and high humidity near the ground.

Conditions are especially favorable from spring through autumn when mornings and evenings are cool, or after rain when moisture remains near the ground.

Because a sea of clouds generally appears only from before dawn until around 7:00A.M., check the local sunrise time in advance and plan accordingly.

It may not appear at all depending on the weather, so check live cameras and local forecasts before you go.

There are a few important points to keep in mind when viewing a sea of clouds.

Because it usually appears only during a limited early-morning window, you may need to travel late at night or before dawn.

Mountain and pass roads have few streetlights, and fog can reduce visibility, so drive with extra caution.

Temperatures at high-elevation observation decks can also drop below 10°C even in midsummer.

Bring warm clothing, rain gear, and non-slip footwear, and dress appropriately so that both adults and children can stay comfortable.

A sea of clouds is a natural phenomenon and cannot be guaranteed, so allow plenty of time and enjoy the view if conditions cooperate.

Kussharo Prince Hotel is an ideal base for touring eastern Hokkaido's leading sea-of-clouds viewing spots.

Set on the shore of Lake Kussharo, Japan's largest caldera lake, it is about a 15-minute drive under normal conditions to Bihoro Pass Observation Deck and about 20 minutes to Tsubetsu Pass Observation Deck.

The hotel also partners with the "Lake Kussharo Cloud Sea Guided Tour to Tsubetsu Pass," which takes guests to the observation deck in the early morning with an expert guide—a great option for anyone who wants to enjoy sea-of-clouds viewing.

At the hotel, you can also enjoy a glamping stay in the lakeside garden overlooking Lake Kussharo or relax in a private barrel sauna surrounded by the lakeside breeze and forest scents.

Shin Furano Prince Hotel is about a five-minute walk from the Furano Ropeway, which provides access to Panorama Deck 900, one of Furano's sea-of-clouds viewing spots.

From the ropeway station near the hotel, you can head up to the observation deck in the early morning, and guests in rooms overlooking the town may even catch a glimpse of a sea of clouds from their window when conditions are right.

In 2025, Furano no Mori ASOBOU, a spot themed around "spectacular views × play," opened in the summit station area.

Visitors can enjoy dome tents and wooden deck areas overlooking the Tokachi mountain range and the Furano Basin.

Around the hotel, other distinctive Furano attractions include Kaze no Garden, home to around 450 varieties of flowers; Coffee, Mori no Tokei, featured in screenwriter So Kuramoto's drama Yasashii Jikan; and Ningle Terrace, where craft shops glow with lamplight.

Hakodate-Onuma Prince Hotel is a convenient base for reaching cloud sea viewing spots in southern Hokkaido.

A nature-focused resort on the shores of Onuma Quasi-National Park, it also offers good access to cloud sea spots like "Mt. Hakodate" and "Kijihiki Plateau."

The hotel's own Nishi-Onuma Onsen "Mori no Yu" is a gentle alkaline simple hot spring.

Its outdoor bath, overlooking the pond and the changing scenery of the four seasons, is a wonderful place to soothe the fatigue of travel.

Breakfast is served buffet-style, with a full lineup of mountain and sea bounty from southern Hokkaido to enjoy.

The adjoining Hokkaido Country Club offers two distinct courses, the "Prince Course" and the "Onuma Course," where you can enjoy golf against the magnificent backdrop of Mt. Komagatake.

A. A sea of clouds is most likely to appear in Hokkaido from around June through October.

Because Hokkaido generally does not experience the same distinct rainy season as much of Japan, early summer through early autumn—when mornings and evenings become noticeably cooler—is a particularly good time to try.

Chances are especially good on mornings after rain, when humidity is high and the temperature difference is large.

In winter, Hokkaido offers different natural spectacles, such as rime ice and diamond dust, so each season has its own appeal.

Because the likelihood depends heavily on the weather, check local live cameras and forecasts as you plan your trip.

A. Most cloud sea spots are located at high-elevation passes or observation decks, so options reachable by public transportation are limited.

For cloud sea viewing in Hokkaido, renting a car is the most common approach.

That said, since departure times fall in the middle of the night or before dawn, guided tours are also a good option for anyone unfamiliar with driving or unsure about long-distance travel.

Around Lake Kussharo, at spots like Tsubetsu Pass, locally run early-morning cloud sea tours are sometimes available.

Please check each tourism association's or accommodation's website for the latest operating information.

A. If you are visiting Hokkaido from outside the region specifically to see a sea of clouds, we recommend staying at least 2 nights and 3 days, and ideally 3 nights and 4 days or longer.

Because a sea of clouds is a natural phenomenon, there is no guarantee that you will see one.

Building extra days into your itinerary gives you more flexibility if the weather changes—for example, if your first day is rainy but the next morning is clear.

Since viewing spots often require an early-morning departure, it is also a good idea to stay nearby the night before.

Hokkaido's travel distances are long, so splitting your stay between bases in different areas can make the trip more comfortable.

Choose accommodations around Kussharo, Furano, Onuma, or other destinations that fit your itinerary.