Transparent mountains

since August 1, 2013


Transparent mountains in Kii-Sjhirahama, Japan

Copyright Akiyoshi Kitaoka 2016 (May 22) photo March 6, 2016


Transparent mountains in Sakamachi, Niigata, Japan

Copyright Akiyoshi Kitaoka 2016 (May 22) photo August 4, 2015


Transparent mountains in Shiga prefecture, Japan

Mountains appear to be transparent.

The highest mountain is Mt. Mikami (Omi-Fuji).

Copyright Akiyoshi Kitaoka 2014 (November 14) photo November 13, 2014


like this


Actually three mountains


like this




Transparent mountains in Zentsuji city, Kagawa-prefecture, Japan

Mountains appear to be transparent.

Copyright Akiyoshi Kitaoka 2013 (August 1) photo taken July 31, 2013


Actually, these mountains are not transparent.




Transparent mountains in Miyagi-Zao mountains, Miyagi-prefecture, Japan

"Mountain transparency illusion"

Mountains appear to be transparent.

Copyright Akiyoshi Kitaoka 2012 (October 25)


Transparent mountains, Machida, Tokyo, Japan

"Transparent mountains"

Mountains appear to be transparent.

Copyright Midori Takashima 2007
from Midori Takashima, Tokyo, May 1, 2007

Akiyoshi's comment: This effect depends on bistable transparency according to the Adelson-Anandan-Anderson's X-junction model*.

*Kitaoka, A. (2005) A new explanation of perceptual transparency connecting the X-junction contrast-polarity model with the luminance-based arithmetic model. Japanese Psychological Research, 47, 175-187. Reprint or PDF request to me


Related illusion photo

"Transparent building"

A building in Osaka appears to be transparent. This building is called "Crystal Tower". This photo was taken from the top floor of the Osaka Castle (shown below).

Copyright Akiyoshi Kitaoka 2007 (May 1)


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