By: Alex
As autumn arrives and temperatures gradually drop, the right weather conditions can give rise to the spectacular phenomenon of sea of clouds. In Japan, there are several spots where you can witness this breathtaking sight, but among them, the “Castle in the Sky” sea of clouds in Ōno City, Fukui Prefecture, is arguably the most famous.
▲ Echizen Ōno Castle is located on Kameyama Hill in Ōno City. (photo by ta2funk @IG)
Perched atop Kameyama Hill (at an elevation of 249 meters) in Ōno City, Echizen Ōno Castle appears like an isolated island floating on the sea of clouds when viewed from Inuyama Hill nearby — hence earning the nickname “Castle in the Sky.”
Typically, dense fog begins to appear in late October after autumn sets in and lasts until February or March of the following year. However, this year the local meteorological observatory issued a dense fog warning as early as October 1. Despite the early start, over ten photography enthusiasts reportedly arrived at the prime viewing spot on Inuyama Hill that early morning to wait for the stunning scene to unfold.
▲ Dense fog usually occurs after autumn sets in, typically from late October until February or March. (photo by inoue1024 @Twitter)
One photographer on site shared that when he first arrived, the thick fog completely obscured the castle. Gradually, as the fog began to lift, the castle finally emerged around 7 a.m.! Seizing the brief five-minute window, he managed to capture the “Castle in the Sky.” Soon after, as the mist dissipated, the “island” effect was gone.
It’s said that the key conditions for the formation of sea of clouds include high humidity the previous day, sufficiently low morning temperatures (the temperature at 7 a.m. that day was 18°C), and light winds. From autumn through spring, Ōno City experiences around 10 occurrences of sea of clouds.
▲ If the fog is too thick or too thin, the visual effect may be compromised. (photo by inoue1024 @Twitter)
It’s worth noting that when taking photos in the mountains, one should be cautious of bears. Last year, for instance, a bear sighting was reported even in Kameyama Park, where Echizen Ōno Castle is located, prompting the city to temporarily close the park for a search operation.
▲ (photo by inoue1024 @Twitter)
▲ (photo by ta2funk @IG)
▲ (photo by ta2funk @IG)
▲ (photo by ta2funk @IG)
Source: Fukuishimbun