You’ll be on cloud nine at the Unkai Terrace in Hokkaido – literally. An extension of Hoshino Resorts Tomamu, the Unkai Terrace is centred around the concept of enjoying unkai (sea of clouds) from a high altitude. The outdoor attraction is usually closed from autumn through late spring, but reopened for the green season in early May and is now set to welcome visitors through October 15 2024.
The facility features seven unique vantage points, which can be accessed by taking a gondola from the bottom of Mt Tomamu and riding to an elevation of 1,088 metres. The main observation deck got an extended deck in 2021 and now protrudes even farther from the mountain. From here, you’ll get an ethereal view of the seasonal phenomenon where soft white clouds appear to form an ocean with the peaks of surrounding mountains poking out like islands.
The other lookout points aren’t your typical viewing platforms, either. There’s the Cloud Walk, which is shaped like a cloud and structured like a suspension bridge to provide a 210-degree view, as well as the Cloud Bed, made of elastic cushions for people to lie down or lean back on as they look up at the sky above.
The mesh Cloud Pool looks a bit like a hammock, and a relaxing one at that, as you can look over the side of it or lounge on it as the cloud formations shift around you. Then, there's the Cloud Bar, which opened in 2019. With the right camera angle, the tall chairs here will make it look as though you’re sitting miles above the ground.
General admission to the facility is ¥1,900 for adults and ¥1,200 for children. Guests staying at the Tomamu resort can access the viewing decks for free.
For more information, see Unkai Terrace's website.
This article was originally published on June 11 2021 and updated on May 27 2024.
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