Takataniyama Observatory is located in Miyoshi City, Hiroshima Prefecture, and is a scenic spot famous nationwide for the "sea of ​​fog (unkai)" that occurs in the early morning from autumn to winter. From the observation deck located on Takataniyama at an altitude of 490m, you can see a carpet of white clouds covering the Miyoshi Basin spreading out below you, and the mountains floating up like islands, creating a fantastic sight. This sea of ​​clouds is likely to occur when certain weather conditions are met, such as a large temperature difference between the daytime and morning of the previous day, no wind, and high humidity, and it is said to be best viewed from October to March. Many photographers and tourists visit in search of this mysterious moment.

The observation deck is equipped with a spacious deck, so you can relax and enjoy the view. It is relatively easy to access from the parking lot, and you can reach it relatively easily even if you visit early in the morning. Even on days when the sea of ​​clouds does not occur, you can enjoy the open view of the beautiful cityscape of the Miyoshi Basin and the mountains of the Chugoku Mountains in the distance. Rich nature spreads around the observation deck, and you can refresh yourself in the clear air.

[Useful points of concern]
It is also popular as a spot to see the first sunrise of the New Year. However, be careful as the traffic can be so congested that you cannot reach the parking lot.

Because the sea of ​​clouds is a natural phenomenon, it is not guaranteed that you will be able to see it. Whether it occurs and its size can vary greatly depending on the weather conditions on the day (temperature difference between the daytime and morning of the previous day, whether there is wind, humidity, etc.). We recommend checking the weather forecast and sea of ​​clouds information in advance.