Breathtaking scenery! Four carefully selected locations in Hokkaido where you can enjoy the highly-anticipated sea of clouds! | Hokkaido Lab - A comprehensive guide to enjoying gourmet food, nature, and culture in Hokkaido.

Breathtaking scenery! Five carefully selected locations in Hokkaido where you can enjoy the highly-anticipated sea of clouds.

: Furano, Biei, Tomamu

: Last updated: September 12, 2026

Have you ever seen photos or articles about "sea of clouds" on TV programs or in magazines?
A sea of clouds is a breathtaking sight that allows you to feel the grandeur of nature on Earth.
Hokkaido, a treasure trove of nature, has many spots where you can see such seas of clouds!

But where are the best spots to see a sea of clouds? When is the best time to go?
Many people probably think along those lines.
This time, we'll introduce spots in Hokkaido where you can see a sea of clouds, the best season to visit, and information on necessary facilities and facilities for viewing them.

Table of contents

1. Hoshino Resorts Tomamu - Sea of Clouds Terrace

　• Seasons and times when viewing is possible

2. Tsubetsu Pass (Accommodation: Lamp no Yado Mori Tsubetsu)

　• Sea of Clouds Tour at Tsubetsu Pass

　• Seasons and times when viewing is possible

3. Mt. Mokoto (Koshimizu Town/Ozora Town)

　• Seasons and times when viewing is possible

4. Tokachidake Onsen (Kamihoro-so)

　• Seasons and times when viewing is possible

5. Ashoro Town (KOYA.lab Ryounso)

　• Seasons and times when viewing is possible

1. Hoshino Resorts Tomamu - Sea of Clouds Terrace

tomamuB-418

Nestled amidst the magnificent natural beauty of the Hidaka Mountains in central Hokkaido, Hoshino Resorts is a popular destination. One of its facilities is the "Sea of Clouds Terrace."

No sea of clouds

This is what it looks like when there's no sea of clouds...

When the sea of clouds appears...!!!

Opened in 2005, this terrace, located 1,088 meters above ground, is designed for viewing the sea of clouds.

From here, a magnificent mountain landscape unfolds, and at dawn, up to 2000 spectators gather. The sea of clouds, one of the largest in Hokkaido, is truly breathtaking. In addition to viewing the sea of clouds, there are installations that allow you to enjoy the world of the sea of clouds, and you can take a stroll around the area. The cafe sells food and drinks with a sea of clouds theme, making it feel like a theme park of the sea of clouds.

The Unkai Terrace is typically open from after Golden Week until mid-October.
The gondola's operating hours vary within the operating season.
The probability of seeing a sea of clouds is only about 30%. So, if you absolutely want to see it, we recommend staying for multiple nights (though even then, you might not see it...).

·directions
To reach the Sea of Clouds Terrace, you will need to take a gondola.
The ride lasts approximately 13 minutes, during which you'll leisurely make your way to the mountaintop while enjoying the magnificent natural scenery of Tomamu.

gondola

Starting in 2026, a "pre-booking system for Unkai Gondola rides" will be implemented, allowing passengers to reserve individual gondolas for each ride time slot. Please note that you will not be able to ride the Unkai Gondola without a reservation.
Reservations are accepted from 17:00 PM the day before your desired date of use.

■Business Hours: 2026 Business Period and Hours
[Period A] May 13th - May 31st, 5:00 AM - 7:00 AM
[Period B] 6/1-8/31 4:30-8:00
[Period C] 9/1-10/13 5:00-8:00
*All times are for the last boarding time for the northbound train.
■Price (Sea of Clouds Gondola Ticket): Adults (Junior High School Students and older) 2,500 yen, Children (7-11 years old) 1,600 yen, Pet Dog 500 yen
■Sea of Clouds Season Pass: Adults 7,000 yen, Elementary school students 4,500 yen, Pets 1,200 yen
(Includes photo of face / taken on location)

Hoshino Resort Tomamu

Address: Toma Naka, Kamukwan Village, Iogo-gun, Hokkaido

HP: https://www.snowtomamu.jp/summer/

• Seasons and times when viewing is possible

The season for sea of clouds formation is from spring to autumn. In Tomamu, the best time to view them is from May to mid-October. The most likely time to see them is at dawn, so you'll need to get up early, but the sea of clouds seen at sunrise is breathtaking. Tomamu is arguably the most well-equipped facility for this purpose.

2. Tsubetsu Pass (Accommodation: Lamp no Yado Mori Tsubetsu)

"Lamp Inn Mori Tsubetsu" is a secluded inn deep in the mountains, even further from Tsubetsu Town in the inland Okhotsk region. It is located in a place surrounded by deep nature, home to "Nonno Forest," the only forest therapy base certified in Hokkaido.

• Sea of Clouds Tour at Tsubetsu Pass

At Lamp no Yado Mori Tsubetsu, the "Tsubetsu Pass Sea of Clouds Tour" is held from June to October. Departures are made in the early morning between 4:30 and 6:00 (times may vary depending on the season), and the tour takes about 20 minutes to reach the Tsubetsu Pass observation deck.

special seat

This is the observation deck at Tsubetsu Pass. Normally, it's closed at this time of day and you can't enter the observation deck, but only those participating in this tour are allowed to climb up.

Coffee break

You can enjoy free hot coffee at the observation deck. Even in summer, the early mornings on the mountain passes of Hokkaido are quite cool. In September, the early morning temperature drops below 10 degrees Celsius! Be sure to dress warmly.

The sea of clouds tour can be booked at Lamp no Yado Mori Tsubetsu, and travel agencies also offer tours that include hotel accommodation.

[Price]
Adult (junior high school student and above) 3,850 yen
Child (3 to 12 years old) 1,800 yen
Children (under 3 years old): 700 yen

[Implementation period and time]
Typically from June 1st to October 31st
Lamp Inn Moritsubetsu departure times: 06:00 / 04:30 (some dates)　
http://mtbt.biz/

Lamp Inn Moritsubetsu

Address: 738 Kamizato, Tsubetsu-cho, Abashiri-gun, Hokkaido

TEL: 0152-76-3333

In/Out: 15:00-20:00/10:00

HP: https://moritsubetsu.com/

Please make your hotel reservation here.

• Seasons and times when viewing is possible

The chances of encountering a sea of clouds in 2015 were: June: 65.8%, July: 60.5%, August: 38.8%, September: 40.0%, October: 25.0% (according to data from Kussharo Prince Hotel). The best time to see them is from around 4 AM to 7 AM. If there are no clouds overhead, you can see a spectacular sunrise like the one in the photo.

By the way, the following video shows a sea of clouds taken from Tsubetsu Pass around 4:15 AM in June.

3. Mt. Mokoto (Koshimizu Town/Ozora Town)

Sea of clouds Mt. Mokoto
From the aforementioned Tsubetsu Pass, you can also see the sea of clouds from Mt. Mokoto, located on the opposite shore of Lake Kussharo. Mt. Mokoto is the highest mountain in the outer rim surrounding Lake Kussharo. The charm of the sea of clouds viewed from its summit lies not only in the view in one direction, but also in the grand panorama that unfolds all around. From the observation point just before the summit, you can see both the Lake Kussharo side and the Sea of Okhotsk side.
Sea of clouds Mt. Mokoto

▲A viewpoint a little way down from the summit. Mount Shari and the Shiretoko mountain range float in the sea of clouds.▲

Sea of clouds Mt. Mokoto

▲Changing our direction from the viewpoint, we could see Mount Meakan and Mount Oakan.▲

The summit isn't large enough for many people to stay, so if you want to sit down, head to the viewpoint just before it. It's a place where you can relax and enjoy your time.
Sea of clouds Mt. Mokoto
There are two trailheads for Mt. Mokoto. The trailhead on the Koshimizu Town side is "Highland Koshimizu 725," located halfway up the mountain at an altitude of 725 meters, at the 8th station. It has a large parking lot and well-maintained toilets, so you can start early in the morning with peace of mind. It takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes to reach the summit. The initial climb is steep, but after that it's a gentle ridge trail. On the Ozora Town side, the Higashi-Mokoto course can be accessed by car up to the 6th station.
If you want to enjoy the sea of clouds without climbing a mountain, head to the observation deck behind the rest house at Highland Koshimizu 725. You can get there by walking about 100 meters along the walking path.
Sea of clouds Mt. Mokoto
If you plan to hike, be sure to bring comfortable, sturdy shoes and an extra layer of warm clothing, as it can get cold even in summer. Also, the rest house at Highland Koshimizu 725 opens at 9am, so it's a good idea to bring drinks and snacks so you can relax and enjoy the view of the sea of clouds from the observation point.

• Seasons and times when viewing is possible

The best time to see a sea of clouds is from early June, around the time of the mountain and mountain pass opening ceremonies, through the early morning hours into autumn. They appear at dawn and disappear around 9am. When I climbed in early August, I started at 5am and the sea of clouds remained until I descended before 8am.
However, a sea of clouds isn't something you're guaranteed to see even on a clear day. It's a sight that only appears when the conditions are just right, and it's a matter of luck. In that respect, Mount Mokoto is at a high altitude, so the summit is less likely to be shrouded in clouds, increasing the chances of encountering a sea of clouds.

4. Tokachidake Onsen (Kamihoro-so)

unkai11

Located almost in the center of Hokkaido, this hot spring inn is nestled quietly on the slopes of the Tokachi Mountain Range, overlooking Furano. Surrounded by a primeval forest of Yezo spruce, it offers the earliest autumn foliage in Japan. On some days during the season, you can even see a sea of clouds, allowing you to fully enjoy the magnificent natural surroundings.

roten2

They say that when the sea of clouds is visible, you can even enjoy it from the inn's proud open-air bath. It's such a luxury to be able to admire such a magnificent view while soaking in the hot springs.

Kamiholo Manor

Address: Tokachidake Onsen, Kamifurano-cho, Sorachi-gun, Hokkaido

TEL: 0167-45-2970

In/Out: 15:00-18:00/10:00

HP: https://kamihorosou.com/

Please make your hotel reservation here.

• Seasons and times when viewing is possible

The peak season for sea of clouds formation is in spring and autumn, specifically June and September. While the probability of occurrence is lower compared to the two areas mentioned earlier, you can enjoy unspoiled nature up close and sometimes even spot red foxes and Hokkaido deer from the open-air baths.

5. Ashoro Town (KOYA.lab Ryounso)

Sea of Clouds Ryounsou Located in Ashoro Town, about an hour's drive from Obihiro, is "KOYA.lab Ryounso," an accommodation facility that boasts the promise of "staying amidst a sea of clouds."
The most distinctive feature is that you can see the sea of clouds from the garden and balcony right outside your room.
Sea of Clouds Ryounsou
If you simply throw on a jacket as soon as you wake up, you can see a sea of clouds that seems to cover the town of Ashoro.
Enjoy the ultimate pleasure of viewing a sea of clouds, including the collaboration with the rising sun, right from your room.
At KOYA.lab Ryounso, in addition to being able to see a sea of clouds, there are plenty of outdoor activities such as saunas, barbecues, camping, and bonfires.
In the morning, you can enjoy a sea of clouds, and at night, a sky full of stars, spending time fully immersed in nature amidst breathtaking scenery.

KOYA.lab Ryounso

Address: 24 Satomigaoka, Ashoro-cho, Ashoro-gun, Hokkaido

TEL: 080-1299-3828

In/Out: 15:00/10:00

HP: https://koya-lab.jp/

Please make your hotel reservation here.

• Seasons and times when viewing is possible

The best time to see a sea of clouds is from May to June and from mid-August to the end of October. Of these, September is the most recommended time.

So, what did you think? The sea of clouds is a natural phenomenon, so it's difficult to see unless you're lucky, but some people will chase after it for days until they get a satisfactory view, so it's a spectacular Hokkaido sight that you absolutely must see at least once! Why not take a trip to Hokkaido this year to see the sea of clouds?

[Updated December 2026, 8]

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