Only a weather forecaster and pilot know! Miraculous weather shows you can experience in Japan

We spoke with Kitahara (center) and Anzai (left), weather forecasters affiliated with the Japan Weather Association, and JAL pilot Aizawa (right). These three people, all experts on the weather and the skies, talked about the beautiful meteorological phenomena that can be seen in Japan.

[Carefully selected by weather forecasters] Mysterious weather phenomena seen in Japan

Two weather forecasters, who are weather professionals, carefully select the most beautiful weather phenomena that can be seen in Japan and rank them on a unique scale of 1 to 3 stars according to their rarity. We asked them about how they do this and how to make sure you don't miss any chances to encounter them.

Rareness ★☆☆: Rare enough that it may become impossible to see in the future. Drift ice in the Sea of Okhotsk

The first is the drift ice in the Sea of Okhotsk, which can be seen in Hokkaido. This is a typical winter feature that usually comes ashore on the coast of the Sea of Okhotsk from late January to March. Freshwater flowing from the Amur River into the Sea of Okhotsk freezes, and the ice packs carried by wind and ocean currents appear on the eastern coast of Hokkaido, from the Shiretoko Peninsula to Abashiri and Monbetsu.

Although this phenomenon is widely known in Japan, Kitahara says that it actually has special value even on a global scale.

Kitahara: "The latitude around Abashiri is almost the same as that of Monaco in the Mediterranean Sea. It is extremely rare even on a global scale to see drift ice at the same latitude as Monaco, which is known as a warm resort destination. If you choose the right time and place, you can see it relatively reliably, but the amount of drift ice is decreasing due to the effects of global warming, and it is possible that this precious natural phenomenon will no longer be visible in the future. I would encourage everyone to come and see it soon."

Apparently, the drift ice can be seen from the sky.

Aizawa: "On the way to Memanbetsu Airport or just after takeoff, if you lower the altitude you can see the drift ice from the cabin. The view of the drift ice from the sky on a clear day is spectacular."

Drift ice moves with the wind, so it is not always on shore. The best time to go is from late January to early March. In some years, the ice may remain until around Golden Week.

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A spectacular winter scene that can only be seen in Hokkaido. Experience the dynamic drift ice in Abashiri

Drift ice is a seasonal feature of winter in Abashiri City, Hokkaido, which faces the Sea of Okhotsk. We will introduce the mechanism by which drift ice is formed, the highlights, and spots where you can learn about the Sea of Okhotsk. In addition, we will also introduce special ways to enjoy the drift ice from different perspectives, such as from the sea, from a car window, and from the sky.

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Rareness ★★☆: Shines like a jewel. Jewelry Ice

The next scene can be seen in Hokkaido. The phenomenon known as "jewelry ice" occurs when ice flowing from the Tokachi River into the Pacific Ocean is shaved into round pieces by the waves and washed up on the shore. It got its name from the way it sparkles like jewels when exposed to sunlight.

This phenomenon can only be seen in the Tokachi region of Hokkaido, where unique weather conditions occur.

Anzai: "Toyokoro Town, famous for its jewelry ice, is located on the Pacific coast and is an area characterized by relatively little snow and very cold temperatures. The temperatures drop to minus 20 degrees Celsius, sometimes as low as 30 degrees Celsius, causing the river water to freeze. As the water flows into the ocean and is buffeted by the waves, it breaks into round pieces, creating transparent ice. The Tokachi region of Hokkaido is the only place in Japan where such conditions of severe cold, clean water, and clear air can be found, and it is a very rare phenomenon even on a global scale."

The guided tours held every year are very popular as they are great for social media. The sun's position changes between morning and evening, so it looks completely different, so we recommend spending a whole day observing. You can enjoy the sparkle of the ice, which changes depending on the time of day.

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Head to the great outdoors of eastern Hokkaido. A JAL MaaS bus trip to spectacular spots that can only be seen during the coldest season

The Eastern Hokkaido area is filled with magnificent nature, including Kushiro, Lake Akan, Mashu・Lake Kussharo, Nemuro・Nakashibetsu, Shiretoko, Okhotsk, Obihiro・Tokachi, etc. If you use different airports on your outbound and return trips, you can efficiently enjoy a trip that covers a wide area and visits all the tourist spots at once.

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Rarity ★★★: Diamond dust and sun pillar - a sign of good luck if you see them together!

A three-star rarity phenomenon is "diamond dust," which can be seen on frigid mornings. Water vapor in the air turns into ice crystals and floats down. When exposed to sunlight, they sparkle like diamonds. If special conditions are met, sunlight reflected by the ice crystals can form "sun pillars," which stretch into the sky. It's a fantastical sight to behold in the silent snowy fields in the early winter mornings.

This phenomenon only occurs when temperatures are below freezing, and the air quality is of course important.

Kitahara: "The key conditions are an intense chill of about -20°C, clear skies, and no wind. The air must also be clear in order to see it. These harsh conditions are met in inland Hokkaido, such as the Kamikawa and Tokachi regions, but the areas around Asahikawa and Nayoro further north are famous. The sight of the pillars of light rising into the sky in the cool air and the snowy fields is divinely beautiful."

They can sometimes be encountered on high mountains or at ski resorts where the temperature drops, but Aizawa says he has also seen them from the airport.

Aizawa: "We saw diamond dust on the runway before takeoff from Memanbetsu Airport. It was very beautiful, but as a pilot I always keep a close eye on meteorological phenomena. It can affect takeoff performance, so the pilot next to me and I exchanged comments like, 'It's beautiful, isn't it?' and we shared the understanding that there would be no problems with takeoff before we started flying."

Rarity ★★★: The most difficult meteorological phenomenon to observe. Green Flash

The "green flash" is an atmospheric optical phenomenon in which the top of the sun shines green for a moment at the moment of sunrise or sunset. This is a natural magic caused by the refraction and scattering of light by the atmosphere. It can only be observed when the air is clear and there is nothing blocking the sun as it sets (or rises) over the horizon.

Although it can occur at any time of the year, the green flash is apparently "one of the most difficult weather phenomena to observe."

Anzai: "It's important that the air is clear and you can see far into the distance. It can be seen from warm regions such as Ishigaki Island and the Ogasawara Islands, to cold regions such as the Sea of Japan coast and eastern Hokkaido. However, when cold air flows over the warm sea, or vice versa, various conditions come together and it only appears for a split second, so capturing that exact moment is an extremely difficult task."

The green flash can be seen in a wide range of places, from warm to cold climates. Be sure to keep it in mind when you're traveling and looking at a beautiful sunset.

Rarity: In fact, there is a chance to see it within Japan. Aurora

The "Aurora" is also known as "one of the greatest light shows on Earth." It is a luminous phenomenon that occurs when charged particles from the sun collide with the Earth's atmosphere. Observation of the Aurora is greatly influenced not only by geographical conditions but also by the cycle of solar activity, so it is possible to see it in Japan.

Kitahara: "In Hokkaido, it has been captured on camera, and there have been reports of it sometimes being slightly visible to the naked eye. In Hokkaido, it's called a "low-latitude aurora", and it's a red aurora rather than the famous green aurora seen in the Arctic and Antarctic. Due to geomagnetic factors, sometimes the conditions are better for viewing it here than in other areas at the same latitude. However, it is related to the 11-year cycle of solar activity, so it cannot be seen every year. To see it regularly, you need to go to areas at higher latitudes further north, such as Alaska or Canada."

He says he once saw the rare aurora from inside an airplane. It seems that when you're on an airplane, you can encounter rare and unexpected weather phenomena.

Aizawa: "When I was younger and flying to Europe, I saw it in the skies over the north of Russia. The aurora seen from inside an airplane looks different from that seen from the ground. It's not like you're looking up, but rather like a curtain of light is hanging down from the side, swaying back and forth."

As Aizawa spoke, Kitahara gave him some useful advice for when flying.

Kitahara: "When flying to Europe, whether you can see the aurora or not is an important factor in choosing your seat. If you're flying to North America, the seats on the left side are the best, and on the way back, the seats on the right side are the best. Especially if you're flying at night and taking a route that passes near Alaska, you might be able to see a spectacular aurora depending on the conditions."

Whether you see it from the sky or the ground, it's sure to be an unforgettable sight once you've seen it.

[Pilots' Choice] Amazing views from inside the plane

As Mr. Aizawa mentioned in his talk, there are special views in the sky that you can never see from the ground. We asked him about the best views depending on the season and time of day, as well as how to choose your seat, all from a pilot's unique perspective. Why not use this as a reference for making the most of your flight time?

Rareness ★☆☆: The changing faces of Mt. Fuji with the seasons

The view of Mt. Fuji from an airplane is a completely different experience than from the ground. It is especially recommended in winter, when the air is clear and you can enjoy a clearer view.

Aizawa: "Mount Fuji is exceptionally beautiful in the winter. The air is clear and you can see its snow-capped form clearly. It's especially spectacular right after the rain has cleared. On flights to the west, we sometimes fly within 5 to 10 miles (8 to 16 km) of Mount Fuji, and at that time, you can get a clear view all the way to the crater from the passenger seats. At such times, we sometimes announce, 'Mount Fuji can be seen from the left window.'"

If you want to see Mt. Fuji from inside the plane, choosing your seat is also important. On flights returning to Haneda from the west, you'll be able to see Mt. Fuji over Suruga Bay as you descend, so we recommend a window seat on the left side.

Rareness ★★☆: Created by the shadow of an airplane. Brocken phenomenon

The "Brocken phenomenon" is a mysterious phenomenon in which the shadow of an object, such as an airplane, is projected onto the clouds. When the three conditions of the sun, an airplane, and fog or clouds are all met, it looks as if the silhouette of a gigantic airplane is floating above the sea of clouds.

Aizawa: "You often see this when the plane descends and flies above the clouds for a while. It's as if the sun is reflecting the plane and projecting it onto the clouds. The shadow of the plane is projected onto the clouds, so it looks like a giant shadow puppet."

The Brocken phenomenon is named after the Brocken mountain in Germany, where it was often seen. It is famous as a phenomenon in which the shadows of mountain climbers are reflected in the fog, but it is actually more likely to be seen from an airplane because three conditions are more likely to be met.

Aizawa: "In the evening, the sun shines from the west and there are often clouds on the east side. If you look outside from the right seat at such times, you might be able to see this mysterious phenomenon."

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Let's go on a trip to see beautiful meteorological phenomena!

There are many beautiful weather phenomena created by nature. Although each can be seen in different seasons and under different conditions, the excitement when you encounter them is exceptional. Also, from an airplane, you can see special scenery that you can't experience from the ground. Why not go on a trip to find your own exciting experience while checking the weather information?

Tenki.jp, a weather forecast specialist website operated by the Japan Weather Association, allows you to check weather forecasts for various locations up to two weeks in advance.
You can use the weather forecast for tourist spots and airports before and during your trip. Enjoy a comfortable trip while checking the weather forecast on "tenki.jp".

​Click here for tenki.jp

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This is a language only used in the sky. A variety of aviation terms with interesting wordplay.

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