Cloud Sea Panorama at Shiretoko Pass

At Shiretoko Pass in Shiretoko National Park, a breathtaking natural spectacle often unfolds during summer dawns—the sea of clouds. When conditions are just right, dense clouds spread out like a vast white ocean, transforming the surrounding mountains into floating islands, creating a truly magnificent view.

This extraordinary sight is a result of the unique climatic interaction between the Sea of Okhotsk and the Shiretoko Mountain Range. The meeting of cold night air and warm daytime air causes moisture to condense into an expansive cloud layer. Visitors must reach the 738-meter-high summit of the pass before dawn to have a chance to witness this fleeting paradise.

As the golden rays of the rising sun illuminate the sea of clouds, painting it with dreamy hues, the scene resembles the dawn of creation, isolated and serene. It is not only a dream come true for photographers but also the ultimate experience of Shiretoko's primal power as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site.

Post by Lamfood22 | Oct 4, 2025