Hoshino Resorts Tomamu's Unkai Terrace — an observation deck perched on the mountain above this nature wonder resort in Hokkaido — welcomed its 2 millionth visitor on July 29, 2026. Born 21 years ago from staff wanting to share the sea-of-clouds scenery with guests, the terrace has since become one of Japan's pioneering cloud-viewing spots, delivering the early-morning view to visitor after visitor. To mark the occasion, a celebratory ceremony was held on-site with guests, the "Cloud Wish" installation shaped by visitors' wishes was completed, and a limited-time Unkai Yogurt drink went on sale to commemorate the milestone.
About Unkai Terrace
Unkai Terrace is an observation facility at Hoshino Resorts Tomamu, born from a simple idea: staff who saw the sea of clouds as part of their everyday scenery wanted guests to experience it too. Sitting at an elevation of 1,088 meters on Mt. Tomamu, the terrace is reached by a roughly 13-minute ride up the Unkai Gondola. It opened in 2005 as the "Mountain Terrace" and was renamed "Unkai Terrace" in 2006. On days when conditions align, visitors can witness a dramatic sea of clouds along with sweeping views of the Hidaka Mountains and other peaks. The adjoining "Cloud Café" serves cloud-themed drinks and sweets, letting guests enjoy a leisurely morning while taking in the view. Since 2015, the resort has pursued its "Cloud9" project to further elevate the experience of spending time above the clouds, gradually rolling out a variety of distinctive viewpoints across the mountain.
Celebrating 2 Million Visitors
A Milestone Ceremony With Visitors on the Day
Unkai Terrace passed the 2 million cumulative visitor mark on July 29, and a ceremony was held to mark the occasion. Attendees on the day received a commemorative 2 millionth-visitor towel, holding it up together with staff for a group photo against the backdrop of the vast sea of clouds. To extend the celebration, the resort has revived the "Unkai Postcard Ticket" for a limited time, running from the milestone date through August 5 — about a decade since it was last available. Scanning the ticket with a smartphone or similar device plays dynamic footage of the moving sea of clouds, letting guests share the memory with family and friends or revisit it later.
Video of the ceremony: https://youtu.be/7B5i1eSRJWM
"Cloud Wish": An Installation Shaped by Visitors' Wishes
"Cloud Wish" is a participatory project that began at this year's Unkai Terrace opening ceremony, built around the idea that each person's wish, like a single droplet, gathers with others to form a vast sea of clouds — a symbol of hope. White capsules stand in for these droplets: visitors write down the wishes and hopes they hold for Unkai Terrace, seal them inside, and add them to a cloud-shaped sculpture. Now complete, the installation carries the wishes of everyone who has visited so far, and everyone who will visit in the future, gathered into a single cloud.
Visitor Voices
"The ceremony was wonderful. I got to write a Cloud Wish message card too — I hope I win the drawing!" (Family from the Kanto region)
"I'm glad I could be here for something so special. I loved getting the day-only towel too!" (Friends visiting from within Hokkaido)
"From the bubbles, to the sound effects, to Cloud Wish — I could really feel how much thought went into every single detail. I hope this keeps reaching more people going forward." (Family from the Kansai region)
*Comments have been excerpted and lightly edited from participants in the ceremony marking Unkai Terrace's 2 million cumulative visitors.
A New Limited-Time Drink: Unkai Yogurt
To celebrate the milestone, Unkai Terrace has introduced Unkai Yogurt, available for a limited time through the end of the terrace's operating season. The drink combines yogurt from Farm Hoshino* with Tomamu milk, blending blue and white to evoke clear sky and cloud. The tartness of the yogurt pairs with the richness of the Tomamu milk for a flavor suited to an early morning. Guests can enjoy mixing the blue and white for colors reminiscent of the ever-changing sea of clouds, or use the drink as a backdrop for photos against the sky.
*Farm Hoshino is the resort's agricultural project, built around the concept of "travel × agriculture."
Price: ¥700 (tax included)
Location: Cloud Café, Unkai Terrace
More Ways to Enjoy Unkai Terrace
Unkai Tumbler: Take Your Drink to the Viewpoints
Cloud Café has also begun selling the Unkai Tumbler, which comes with one drink included at purchase. Guests can carry their tumbler while exploring the terrace's distinctive viewpoints, pairing their favorite scenery with a special morning drink.
Price: ¥1,800 (tax included)
Location: Cloud Café, Unkai Terrace
Turn Your Photos Into Postcards
At Unkai Terrace's postcard corner, guests can turn a photo they've just taken into a postcard on the spot. Each card captures that day's view exactly as it appeared — a one-of-a-kind postcard of a scene that will never look quite the same again.
Price: ¥700 (tax included)
Location: Postcard corner, Unkai Terrace
Unkai Terrace Overview
Period: May 13 – October 13, 2026
Price: Adults (age 12+): ¥2,500; ages 7–11: ¥1,600; dogs: ¥500 (tax included); free for guests staying at Risonare Tomamu or Tomamu The Tower
Hours: 4:30 AM–8:00 AM (last gondola ride up); hours vary by season, check the official website for details
Reservations: Via the dedicated reservation page (https://www.snowtomamu.jp/unkai_terrace_reservation/), opening at 5:00 PM the day before your visit
Eligibility: Overnight guests and day-trip visitors
Notes: Operating hours vary by season. The gondola may be suspended due to weather or atmospheric conditions. Dogs must be transported in a stroller or crate.
Details: https://www.snowtomamu.jp/summer/unkai/
About Hoshino Resorts Tomamu
Located near the center of Hokkaido, Hoshino Resorts Tomamu is a stay-focused resort built around two hotels: Tomamu The Tower and Risonare Tomamu. Guests can enjoy activities that showcase Hokkaido's four seasons — from Unkai Terrace and the Farm Area in the green season, to a 29-course ski area and the fantastical Ice Village in winter.
Address: Naka Tomamu, Shimukappu Village, Yufutsu District, Hokkaido 079-2204
Phone: 0167-58-1111
Rooms: 735 total (Tomamu The Tower: 535 rooms / Risonare Tomamu: 200 rooms)
Check-in / Check-out: 3:00 PM / 11:00 AM
Rates: From ¥12,900/night at Tomamu The Tower; from ¥26,100/night at Risonare Tomamu (per person, based on double occupancy, tax and service included, breakfast included)
Access: Approximately 100 minutes by car from New Chitose Airport; approximately 90 minutes by JR (transfer required; complimentary shuttle from Tomamu Station, no reservation needed)
Website: https://www.snowtomamu.jp
