Day Trips from SapporoTsubetsu Pass: A Sea of Clouds over Lake Kussharo
By Chaporo, a Sapporo local Published 
Quick answers
- At 947 m, the highest viewpoint on the rim of the Kussharo caldera
- A sea of clouds over Lake Kussharo on many summer and autumn mornings
- Observation building open June 1 to October 31, 9:00–19:00; toilets 24 hours
- At dawn you can watch from outside for free; a guided tour gets you inside. The road is closed in winter
Tsubetsu Pass, on the border of Tsubetsu and Teshikaga, is 947 meters up on the rim of the Kussharo caldera, the highest of the viewpoints around the lake. It is best known for the sea of clouds that fills the caldera on summer and autumn mornings.
A quiet viewpoint
Unlike Bihoro Pass, with its roadside station and crowds, Tsubetsu Pass is calm. When you step onto the viewpoint the sound seems to drop away, and you can just look; that is what I like about it.
The sea of clouds
From summer to autumn, early mornings often bring a sea of clouds: you look down on a carpet of cloud, with the lake and mountains showing through the gaps. The observation building is closed at dawn, but you can watch from outside for free, and local operators run guided sea-of-clouds tours that take you inside (about 3,850 yen, book by noon the day before). The toilets are open 24 hours. The town page has a live camera, so you can check for clouds before you set out. It gets very cold at dawn, so dress warmly.
A different face of Lake Kussharo
The same lake looks quite different from here: the view and the air feel unlike a typical tourist lookout. On a clear day the 360-degree view reaches beyond the lake to the Sea of Okhotsk, Mt. Oakan and Mt. Meakan, and as far as the Daisetsu mountains.
The observation building
The observation building looks like a small medieval European castle, with big windows toward the lake, so you can enjoy the view even on a windy day.
| What | Details |
|---|---|
| Season | June 1 to October 31 (may shift with the weather) |
| Hours | 9:00–19:00; toilets open 24 hours |
| Parking | Free; no parking for more than 2 hours, and no sleeping in cars |
| Winter | Prefectural Road 588 is closed, so the pass cannot be reached from November to May |
See the Tsubetsu town page with live camera (in Japanese).
How it compares
- Bihoro Pass: a roadside station, food and the classic view; busier
- Tsubetsu Pass: the sea of clouds and the quiet
- Mokotoyama viewpoint: a plain car park, quiet, for a calm look
- Highland Koshimizu 725: the widest view of the land around the lake
Getting there
About an hour from Memanbetsu Airport, 40 minutes from Bihoro Pass, 50 minutes from Lake Mashu and an hour and a half from Lake Akan. The pass road has many curves, so drive carefully in the dark.
Near Tsubetsu Pass
Bihoro Pass: The Classic View of Lake Kussharo and Its Roadside StationA local's guide to the Bihoro Pass in eastern Hokkaido: the panorama over Lake Kussharo, how it compares with the other viewpoints, the roadside station and its curry bread, how long to stay, and winter road closures.
Mokotoyama Viewpoint: A Quiet Lake Kussharo LookoutA local's guide to the Mokotoyama viewpoint parking above Lake Kussharo: a quiet car park with the lake and steaming Mt. Io in view, stars at night, facilities, how long to stay and how it compares with Bihoro and Tsubetsu passes.
Highland Koshimizu 725: A Lake Kussharo Viewpoint with a Rest HouseA local's guide to Highland Koshimizu 725: a highland viewpoint at 725 m over Lake Kussharo and the wide land of eastern Hokkaido, with a rest house, toilets and snacks; season, hours and how it compares with Bihoro Pass and Tsubetsu Pass.
Lake Mashu, Lake Kussharo and Lake Akan: A Local's Eastern Hokkaido Road TripA two-night road trip around Lake Kussharo, Lake Mashu and Lake Akan to the Kushiro Wetland, from a Sapporo local who drove it: the order that works, what each lake is like, the boat to the marimo, and weather and driving tips.
FAQ about Tsubetsu Pass
Q1. When can you see the sea of clouds at Tsubetsu Pass?
On many early mornings from summer to autumn; you can watch from outside the building for free, or join a guided tour to watch from inside.
Q2. When is the observation building open?
From June 1 to October 31, 9:00 to 19:00.
Q3. Can I go in winter?
No. The road is closed from November to May.