Oyama Balloon Festival

Every autumn, the skies above Oyama City in Tochigi Prefecture come alive with brilliant colours, as dozens of hot air balloons rise at dawn for the annual Oyama Balloon Festa. This family-friendly festival has become a much-loved tradition, drawing pilots, photographers, and visitors from across Japan.

The Oyama Balloon Festa features competition flights in which skilled pilots navigate their balloons toward set targets. Launches typically begin around 7:00 AM, creating breathtaking scenes of balloons drifting across the crisp morning sky. The event showcases not only the beauty of ballooning but also the precision and challenge of competitive flight.

For those who have dreamed of experiencing ballooning firsthand, the festival offers Hot Air Balloon Ride Experiences. With two balloons in operation each day, passengers can ascend and enjoy sweeping views of Oyama’s autumn landscape.

• Operating hours: 8:30 AM – 3:00 PM (weather permitting)

• Tickets: Distributed on-site from 7:00 AM (same-day only; no reservations)

• Fees: Adults ¥2,000, Children ¥1,000

The highlight for many is the Balloon & Fireworks Night Glow, held on the evening. As music plays and fireworks light up the night, tethered balloons are illuminated from within, glowing like giant lanterns against the dark sky. The synchronised display of fire, light, and sound creates a magical atmosphere that lingers long after the final sparkle fades.

Oyama is less than an hour by train from Tokyo, making the festival an easy day trip or weekend getaway.