Celebrates Its
20th Anniversary
UNKAI Terrace was born in 2005 from the desire of the staff, who maintained the gondolas during the summer, to share the breathtaking sea of clouds—a familiar sight to them—with guests. Over the years, more than 1.7 million visitors have experienced these ever-changing, one-of-a-kind views. For 20 years, we have continued to evolve, offering not just stunning scenery but also unique ways to enjoy the mountaintop experience. This season, we have prepared a variety of special events to celebrate this milestone anniversary!
UNKAI Terrace is an observation facility at an altitude of 1,088 meters, offering a breathtaking view of the dynamic sea of clouds that appears when the right weather conditions align. With floating decks and unique viewing spots, it is a special place where visitors can fully immerse themselves in the magnificent natural beauty of Hokkaido.
the 20th Anniversary Events
Photo Spot
UNKAI Terrace
The birth of UNKAI Terrace was inspired
by the thoughts of the staff working on-site.
Through continuous trial and innovation,
the terrace has evolved into
a beloved destination for many visitors.
Here, we introduce its journey.
Would you like to share your special memories of UNKAI Terrace on Instagram? Selected winners will receive a complimentary hotel stay!
Join us by posting your cherished photos.
| 応募期間 | April 22, 2025 – October 14, 2025 |
|---|---|
| How to Participate | 1.Follow this Instagram account: (@hoshinoresorts_tomamu_en). 2.Post a photo taken at Hoshino Resorts TOMAMU’s UNKAI Terrace on your own Instagram account. Be sure to tag #unkaiterrace20th and @hoshinoresorts.tomamu.unkai |
| 入賞者 | Winning entries will be announced on this page (Hoshino Resorts TOMAMU official website – UNKAI Terrace 20th Anniversary Special Page). The results will be announced from June to October 2025, with four posts published each month. |
| Important Notice | Winning photos, captions, and Instagram usernames will be published on our website.Please read and agree to the application guidelines before entering. |
| Period | May 8th - October 14th, 2025 |
|---|---|
| Hours of Operation | [Period A] May 8th - May 31st 5:00 am - 7:00 am [Period B] June 1st - Oct 14st 5:00 am - 8:00 am
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| Access | [Overnight Guests] A shuttle bus service runs from Tomamu The Tower and RISONARE Tomamu. [For Non-Overnight Guests] Please proceed to the "Resort Center." Hoshino Resorts TOMAMU visibility can be low on the road on foggy days, so please be careful when driving. Also, please stay in good health if you are coming in early morning. |
| Important Note(s) | [Regarding Photography and Recording for Business Purposes] Photography and recording for business purposes within the facilities are prohibited without permission from the facility in question. Photography and recording for personal use that is, in turn, used for business purposes are also prohibited without permission. [Accessing the UNKAI TERRACE] The UNKAI TERRACE is not accessible on foot or by car. When heading to the UNKAI TERRACE, please utilize the UNKAI Gondola from the foot of the mountain. The UNKAI Gondola may cease operations in the case of inclement weather conditions. |
| Unkai Gondola Fee |
[For Non-Overnight Guests]- Adults: 1,900 JPY - Children ages 7-11: 1,200 JPY Pets: 500 JPY
[Discounts for People with Disabilities] - Adults: 1,520 JPY - Children ages 7-11: 960 JPY
[UNKAI Season Pass] - Adults: 5,000 JPY - Children ages 7-11: 3,000 JPY - Pets: 1,000 JPY (With a profile photo taken on-site) Important Note
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| Information Concerning Transport Safety | Publically disclosed in accordance with Article 19, Paragraph 4 of the Railway Business Act. Read the Cableway Safety Report (PDF) for more information. |
The seventh scenic spot in the “Cloud9 project” is here! Take a seat on a bench hanging from a gently curved frame and enjoy watching the flow of clouds from various angles. This is the highest viewpoint among all the UNKAI Terrace spots, offering a truly breathtaking view.
| Period | Scheduled to open in July 2025 |
|---|---|
| Time | 5:00 AM – 8:00 AM |
| Price | Free of charge *For day-trip visitors, a separate round-trip UNKAI Gondola fee is required. |
| Location | UNKAI Terrace |
A special accommodation plan celebrating the 20th anniversary of UNKAI Terrace. To help you experience the most magical morning at UNKAI Terrace, we’ve prepared 20 exclusive benefits—one for each year of its history.
| Period | From June 1st, 2025 to check-in on October 12th, 2025 |
|---|---|
| Time | Check-in: 3:00 PM Check-out: 11:00 AM |
| Price | From 72,800JPY for 2 nights / 3 days (Per person, based on double occupancy; includes tax and service charge) |
| Location | RISONARE Tomamu |
| Note | Click here for details and reservations |
An annual event held on the opening day of UNKAI Terrace to send wishes that many guests will be able to witness a sea of clouds. This year, a special gift will be prepared exclusively for visitors on the day.
| Period | May 8th, 2025 |
|---|---|
| Time | 5:00 AM – 8:00 AM (last ride up on the gondola) Until 9:00 AM (last ride down on the gondola) Ceremony Time: 6:00 AM – 6:15 AM |
| Price | Free of charge ※For day-trip visitors, a separate round-trip UNKAI Gondola fee is required. |
| Location | UNKAI Terrace |
| Note | Click here for details on the event |
UNKAI Terrace Guided Tour
[Exclusive to RISONARE Tomamu Guests]
A guided tour around UNKAI Terrace.
The tour begins with the first hotel shuttle bus of the morning, followed by the first gondola ride to the terrace. As you visit each scenic spot, you'll learn about the history of UNKAI Terrace and the meanings behind each viewpoint.
After the tour, enjoy “Cloud Bread” and clam chowder at KUMO Cafe. This tour offers a deeper appreciation of what makes UNKAI Terrace so special.
| Period | June 1 – August 31, 2025 |
|---|---|
| Time | 4:00 AM – 6:00 AM |
| Price | 2,000 JPY per person (tax included) ※Exclusive to RISONARE Tomamu guests ※Free for children under 6 years old |
| Location | UNKAI Terrace |
| Note | Advance reservation required (Reservations open on this page from May 8th) Reservation |
A brand-new original menu item is now available at KUMO Cafe! This dish is topped with a cloud-inspired presentation using a sauce made from haskap, a fruit native to Hokkaido, and cream made with Tomamu milk. Its refreshing tartness and light flavor pair perfectly with a morning cup of coffee.
| Period | From May 8th, 2025– Year-round |
|---|---|
| Time | 5:00 AM – 8:30 AM |
| Price | 1,000 JPY (tax included) Limited quantities available |
| Location | KUMO Cafe |
[Exclusive to Tomamu The Tower / RISONARE Tomamu Guests]
Staff will share insights on how to enjoy UNKAI Terrace and the unique sea of clouds. Participants will receive an original guidebook.
This experience will surely enhance your excitement for the next morning's adventure.
| Period | Tomamu The Tower：May 7th – October 13th, 2025 RISONARE Tomamu：June 1st – October 13th, 2025 |
|---|---|
| Time | Tomamu The Tower：3:00 PM – 4:20 PM (4 sessions) RISONARE Tomamu：From 7:30 PM / From 8:00 PM (1 session each) Duration: 15 minutes per session |
| Price | Free of charge (Original guidebook included) *Exclusive to hotel guests |
| Location | ・Tomamu The Tower: Kids’ Space ・RISONARE Tomamu: Front Lobby |
| Note | Event times are subject to change. Please check on-site at Tomamu for the most up-to-date information. |
A special UNKAI-themed design appears on one of the shuttle buses circulating the resort. If you happen to catch a ride—consider yourself lucky!
| Period | May 8th – October 14th, 2025 |
|---|---|
| Time | During shuttle operating hours |
| Price | Free of charge |
| Location | Within the resort |
To celebrate the 20th anniversary, special fireworks inspired by the UNKAI (sea of clouds) will light up the sky for a limited time.
| Period | May 8th, 2025 July 19th – August 31st, 2025 October 1st – October 14th, 2025 Opening day of Cloud Round (scheduled for July 2025) |
|---|---|
| Time |
8:00PM～ ※Only on May 8th, 2025, from 8:30 PM |
| Note | The photo is for illustration purposes only. Can be viewed from Tomamu The Tower Welcome Court and hotalu street. |
20th Anniversary Drink Service
A welcome drink inspired by the UNKAI Terrace is available.
| Period | ・Tomamu The Tower：May 7th – October 13th, 2025 ・RISONARE Tomamu：June 1st – October 13th, 2025 |
|---|---|
| Time |
・Tomamu The Tower: 4:30PM～6:30PM ・RISONARE Tomamu: 3:00PM‐5:00PM |
| Price |
Free of charge (For hotel guests only) |
| Location |
・Tomamu The Tower: Lounge yukku yukku ・RISONARE Tomamu: Books&Cafe |
| Note | Please note that the operating hours are subject to change. The latest information will be provided on-site in Tomamu. |
One morning during the early summer of 2005, we were conducting maintenance on the gondola nearby the mountain peak at our ski resort. It was then that we noticed a sea of clouds spreading right under our eyes.
Despite it being such a grand spectacle, for the staff it was a familiar scene. Ordinarily, it may have only received a fleeting glance, but on that day, we thought of the joy it would bring to our guests.
"If only our guests could see this view... Imagine, being able to come here, and then relaxing with a cup of coffee..."
When you look at a sea of clouds from below, they simply look like clouds hanging above. However, when viewed from above the clouds themselves, their beauty is easily recognizable.
Some questioned whether guests would travel to the peak to view the cloudy skies, but most of the staff supported the idea.
From that day, the staff immediately started talking about the plan to allow guests to "drink coffee while they gaze at the sea of clouds." At last, they came to "making a morning cafe near the gondola's upper station." In order to solve the problem of early preparations and those unaccustomed to serving guests, discussions continued for around two months.
Thus, the test run of the cafe set to become the UNKAI Terrace began in the summer of 2005.
Even though it was called a "cafe," it was a simple configuration of tables and chairs lined up in a small, open space. The seven people, normally in charge of the gondola's maintenance, were inexperienced when it came to working as a server in a cafe and anxiously wondered if guests would visit that early in the morning.
However, no worries were needed as guests came, one after another. And with each new face, the seven staff members were so elated they practically leaped for joy.
There was no sea of clouds on the first day, but our guests were moved by the cool morning air and the majestic sights of Tomamu. Although there were mistakes made, the guests beamed with satisfaction, and that made us happier than anything.
Within two months, approximately 900 people visited, and the test run was declared a huge success.
Taking the results into consideration, along with feedback from guests, the development of a full-blown terrace was decided. The following year in 2006, the official UNKAI TERRACE opened.
With special services offered from spring to fall (periods in which UNKAI easily form), approximately 17,000 people came to visit, making the plan quite popular and a great success.
After realizing the charms of the service they had created, the seven continued to think about what kind of service would be appropriate for Hoshino Resorts TOMAMU. With that, various ideas came to fruition.
The "UNKAI Forecast" was one of them.
The sea of clouds is not a phenomenon that you can see every day. By combining weather information such as temperature, humidity, wind direction, and speed with a rule of thumb that says, "If clouds appear in a certain direction in the afternoon, it will be cold the next morning, and then Tomamu is more likely to have a sea of clouds," we have created our own UNKAI forecast, which predicts the probability of cloud seas occurring. The probability of a sea of clouds occurring during the season is about 40%.
There were some within the company who wondered, "Isn't it a bit strange to give a probability for a service that we don't know if we can or cannot provide," but once it opened, customers looked forward to the UNKAI Forecast and never raised a complaint.
Then working in collaboration with other departments, it allowed the daily UNKAI and gondola status to be broadcast on our homepage, guest's TVs, and more.