You can enjoy a 360-degree panoramic view from a hot air balloon and experience the beauty and emotion that words cannot describe. Why not take a photo of the world where birds are flying? This time, we will introduce you in order to 6 spots in Japan where you can experience hot air ballooning.
About hot air balloons, a ride tool
・Hot air balloons are divided into two types, one is a tethered flight fixed by a rope between the ground and the hot air balloon, and the other is a free flying experience controlled by a pilot. If you just want to experience it briefly, we recommend you choose the tethered flight experience which takes a short time (about 5 minutes) and has a height limit.
・Because the experience area is all grass, so wear clothes that are easy to move about and don’t mind getting dirty, as well as sneakers that can hold you firmly when it shakes.
・The flight may be grounded depending on weather conditions such as rain, snow, and strong winds, or even if the weather clears. After all, it is a ride that depends entirely on the natural weather to determine whether it can fly, so please be sure to understand it in advance.
1. Hokkaido Tokachi
When you come to Tokachi, you can take a tethered hot air balloon and fly to a height of about 30m, enjoying the fresh morning air and scenery. If the weather clears, you can also enjoy panoramic views of the Tokachi Plains, Hidaka Mountains, and Daisetsu Mountains. Reservations are not required here, so please go directly to the venue "Tokachigaoka Park HANAKKU Plaza" to gather. It may take a long time to wait when there are many people, so it is recommended to go early. The host park is also very close to Tokachi Onsen, and there are facilities nearby where you can take a free foot bath.
Experience fee: Adults 2,100 JPY (tax included) / Children must pay
Period: May 3 to September 30 (open every day if conditions are good) ※ Winter hot air ballooning is only open to groups of 20 or more
held Time: 6:30 am - 7:30 am (6:00 am - 7:30 am in July and August)
Tokachigawa Onsen North, Onzo Town, Gotō County, Hokkaido 14
2. Niseko, Hokkaido
Niseko is famous for skiing As a tourist attraction, you can also ride on a tethered hot air balloon twice a day in the morning and evening. In the Annupuri area, which is said to have the highest tourist attraction rate in Hokkaido, you can fly to an altitude of 20m to 30m and enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Niseko Mountains with an extremely wide view. It’s hard to decide between a morning flight that dazzles you with the morning sun and an evening flight that allows you to enjoy the red sunset. The hot air balloon ride basket is equipped with a door for easy boarding and disembarkation. In addition, in order to allow small children to appreciate the panoramic scenery, one side of the basket is made of transparent acrylic.
※The photo is an aerial view of Niseko Annupuri.
experience fee: 2,700 JPY (tax included)/Children must pay
period: June to September ※Reservation required
Meeting time: Morning flight 6:30 am - 7:00 am/ Evening flight 4:30 pm - 5 :00 pm
Niseko Town, Gota-gun, Hokkaido, Niseko 485
3. Gifu Nagara River
Come here to experience the ride on a tethered hot air balloon, and you can enjoy the beautiful scenery of the natural and abundant Nagara River. Because a new winch system is used here, you can selectively enjoy the best altitude experience in Japan. Please come up to the sky and experience the peaceful world where the steady wind blows. If you join the annual fee-free plan "HEAT BALLOON Hot Air Balloon Club Special Member", you will also have the opportunity to ride a free hot air balloon that is not tethered (weekdays only).
Experience fee: 2,500 JPY (tax included) for 13 years and above / Children must pay
Period: Six-day holiday ※ Reservation must be completed by 0:00 pm the day before at the latest
Meeting time: 25m 7:00 am - 9 :30 am / 50m 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm ※December to March 8:30 am - 10:00 am grounded in case of snow
Gifu Prefecture Gunjo Hachimancho Island 757
4. Nagano Hakuba
Hakuba in After winter, it becomes very lively with overseas skiers. You can also take a tethered hot air balloon here to enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Northern Alps. From the hot air balloon boarding square, you can see the ski jump used at the 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics, and it slowly takes off in the dreamy atmosphere of the morning. If the weather is nice, why not take a selfie with the snow-covered Hakuba Sansan Mountains in the background? Be sure to wear long sleeves when the temperature is low. Although the official website is in Japanese, you can use the English form to make a reservation.
Experience fee: 2,500 JPY (tax included) for ages 13 and above / Children must pay
Period: April to November ※ Make a reservation at least the day before boarding, full reservation system
Meeting time: 5:30 am (summer) ) or 6:00 am - 7:00 am
Kitajo 3812
5, Hakuba Village, Kitazan-gun, Nagano Prefecture. Kumamoto Aso
Come and experience the 40m-high tethered hot air balloon here. You can have a panoramic view of the Aso caldera scenery in the morning and enjoy the Aso caldera. Su gave birth to the majestic landscape of volcanoes. As long as certain weather conditions are met, you might even be able to see the sea of clouds. In addition, if you ask the operator, he will let you experience operating the burner yourself. Be sure to experience the powerful roaring sound and heat for yourself.
Experience fee: 2,160 JPY for 13 years old and above/Children must pay
Period: All year round ※ Reservation must be completed at 5:00 pm the day before, full reservation system
Meeting time: 5:30 am - 7:30 am ※ Varies depending on the season.
6. Tochigi Watarase
When you come to Watarase, you can take a 45-minute hot air balloon ride and experience the fun of flying freely over Japan's largest Kanto Plain. This is the only place in Japan where you can experience free-flying hot air balloons all year round. You can also see Mount Fuji, the Pacific Ocean and the high-rise buildings in Tokyo as far away as possible. The total time required is approximately 3 hours. You can participate in everything from hot air balloon assembly to recycling. After riding on it, you can fully experience the feeling of becoming one with the wind and floating in the air.
Experience fee: Adults 22,000 JPY (tax included) Cash only/Children pay ※2 to 6 people on a rotating basis
Period: All year round ※Reservation required 1 week in advance, full reservation system
Meeting time: Sunrise Hours (4:30 am - 7:00 am)
1218-1Fujioka, Fujioka-cho, Tochigi City, Tochigi Prefecture
Floating lightly in the air is a feeling that transcends everyday reality. Even if it is only a 5-minute tethered flight, you can experience the excitement of floating and enjoying the beautiful scenery, making it an unforgettable travel memory. Why not try this hot air balloon experience that is integrated with nature?
※Please note that the information in this article is current at the time of writing or publication, and may differ from the latest information.
