Float away in the ethereal ‘Sea of Clouds’ in Chihibu

If you’re a night owl and like to skip the over-publicized, over-crowded tourist hot spots then skip the expected and add Chihibu to your Japan itinerary to see the breathtaking Sea of Clouds.

Yes when you think of Japan, you think of a country surrounded by the sea, the abundance of seafood consumed and all the temples, shrines and castles that are ever popular. But Japan proves to be a truly unique country with a wealth of incredible landscapes, places and phenomenon that are not mentioned in many guide books and are more incredible than a heap of experiences listed online.

See the Phenomenal Sea of Clouds in Chihibu, Saitama

Just a few hours north of Tokyo (two and half hours by train to be exact), the Chichibu region is in the west of Saitama Prefecture which is probably why it’s skipped by many tourists. But fear not – once you check out the photos of this magical phenomenon a 3-hour train ride is more than worth it.

Beautiful hotsprings, lush forests and magnificent mountains make Chichibu feel like a world away from bustling Tokyo.

The term “unkai,” which translates to “sea of clouds,” refers to an unusually thick and rolling Cloud Cover that resembles the ocean. Minoyama Park’s “unkai” views are on par with those of Mt Fuji’s, but as the photos demonstrate, the latter is no slouch either.

In the photos, the fog is illuminated by the lights of a distant city and an industrial area, creating an ethereal quality that resembles the hyper-stylized environments of a “Final Fantasy” video game or Japanese animation.

Getting to the gist of it – Minoyama Park’s observation deck provides the perfect vantage point to capture the magical ‘Sea of Clouds’. Unkai, meaning ‘Sea of Clouds’, is an atmospheric phenomenon where the thick cloud cover resembles an undulating ocean. One of the most famous unkai views is that of Mt. Fuji. The glimmering lights from the industrial area illuminate the cloud cover creating a glowing display of pastel oranges, pinks, and blues creating one unbelievable ethereal view. November and April are listed as the best times to view the sea of clouds according to the Minoyama Park website.

In the photos, the fog is illuminated by the lights of a distant city and an industrial area, creating an ethereal quality that resembles the hyper-stylized environments of a “Final Fantasy” video game or Japanese animation.

Getting to the gist of it – Minoyama Park’s observation deck provides the perfect vantage point to capture the magical ‘Sea of Clouds’. Unkai, meaning ‘Sea of Clouds’, is an atmospheric phenomenon where the thick cloud cover resembles an undulating ocean. One of the most famous unkai views is that of Mt. Fuji. The glimmering lights from the industrial area illuminate the cloud cover creating a glowing display of pastel oranges, pinks, and blues creating one unbelievable ethereal view. November and April are listed as the best times to view the sea of clouds according to the Minoyama Park website.

Where to go to view Japan’s Sea of Clouds

To get the best view of the sea of clouds, head to Minoyama Park (美の山公園)

Address: Saitama-ken, Chichibu-gun, Minanomachi, Minano

埼玉県秩父郡皆野町皆野

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