Japan's Top 10 Sea of Clouds Hotels – Breathtaking "Sea of Clouds Trails" Feel Like Stepping into a Fairyland

▲ Sea of clouds café at Hokkaido Hoshino Resorts Tomamu. (Photo provided by Rakuten Travel)

Travel Center / General Report

Sea of clouds isn't only visible in winter – you can actually see them in summer too. What would it feel like to witness an absolutely stunning sea of clouds, or even walk through it? Here’s a list of "Japan’s Top 10 Sea of Clouds Hotels," with the top spot going to Hokkaido’s Hoshino Resorts Tomamu, which boasts a breathtaking sea of clouds café.

The formation of sea of clouds requires specific climatic and geographical conditions, mostly occurring in winter and spring. However, in Hokkaido, sea of clouds are more likely to appear in summer, and depending on weather conditions, three types of sea of clouds can be observed here. Taking full advantage of this natural spectacle, Hokkaido Hoshino Resorts Tomamu captivates sea of clouds enthusiasts with three distinctive features – the “Sea of Clouds Trail,” which extends from the mountainside slope and appears to float in the air, the “Sea of Clouds Guide” who provides detailed explanations to visitors, and the “Sea of Clouds Observation Deck” that serves hot soup and coffee, allowing guests to enjoy the magnificent views from various heights and angles.

▲ Sea of clouds trail at Hokkaido Hoshino Resorts Tomamu. (Photo provided by Rakuten Travel)

By taking the gondola from the foot of Mt. Tomamu, you’ll arrive at the summit Sea of Clouds Observation Deck. At Hokkaido Hoshino Resorts Tomamu, you can observe three types of sea of clouds: Pacific Ocean sea of clouds, TOMAMU sea of clouds, and severe weather sea of clouds. The “Pacific-produced sea of clouds” forms when the Pacific High generates large amounts of sea fog, which crosses the Hidaka Mountain Range and envelops the Tokachi Plain, creating a surging flow of rolling cloud mist. The second type, the “TOMAMU-produced sea of clouds,” is generated by radiative cooling. As temperatures rise, visitors can see towering hotels rising above the endless sea of clouds, resembling a city in the sky. The third type, the “severe weather sea of clouds,” occurs during bad weather or when conditions are about to deteriorate, with thick sea of clouds surrounding the mountains, creating a breathtakingly mysterious atmosphere.

Visitors can take a 13-minute gondola ride from the center of the resort in the early morning to reach the “Sea of Clouds Observation Deck” near the mountaintop. Next to the “Sea of Clouds Observation Deck” is the “Observation Café,” where guests can enjoy hot drinks while overlooking the vast, endless sea of clouds. Why not take a trip to Japan this summer to experience this once-in-a-lifetime wonder and feel the rich diversity of nature?

Japan's Top 10 Sea of Clouds Hotels

1. Hokkaido Hoshino Resorts Tomamu The Tower
2. Hokkaido Hoshino Resorts Risonare Tomamu
3. Nagano Prefecture Kisetsu no Yama 0? Ping 0? Subtitled?
4. Niseko White Inn in Hokkaido Natural Resort Area
5. Akakura Onsen Hotel in Niigata Prefecture
6. Hotel Sunny Shiga in Nagano Prefecture
7. Pension Too Cotton at Zao-Hongu Plateau in Yamagata Prefecture
8. W? Lian San? Dang? Le Yue? Jiao