Hot Air Ballooning

Winter is the best season for hot air ballooning in Hokkaido as the snow covered landscapes allow for longer free-flights directed by nothing more than the wind. Furano Valley remains the premier destination for  early-morning free-flights from December to March. 

Tethered, short-duration hot air balloon flights are available in the spring, summer & fall seasons, with operators in Niseko, Furano, Tomamu & Eastern Hokkaido flying daily when the weather cooperates.  The Hot Air Balloon Festival in Eastern Hokkaido in August is a main drawcard for Hokkaido's ballooning enthusiasts. 

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Hot Air Ballooning

The experience of flying in a hot air balloon over the stunning Hokkaido scenery is unforgettable. While flights are available all year around, only winter season offers a convenient free-flight experience on daily, early morning departures. Flights soaring along the Southern Daisetsuzan Range high above Furano Valley last 30-40 minutes and depart daily when the weather cooperates. A magical Diamond Dust effect on particularly cold days can be observed when super dry snow crystals remain suspended in the air. Free-flights are also available during the drift ice season along the Sea of Okhotsk, a truly memorable way to see the rare natural phenomenon of drift ice.  

In the spring, summer & fall months, hot air ballooning is mostly limited to short-duration tethered-flights, which are an inexpensive and less intimidating introduction to hot air ballooning. Top operators can be found in Tomamu, Tokachigawa Onsen, Furano & Niseko. We'll help you choose a hot air balloon operator according to the season and location to best fit the parameters of your custom-made tour.    

Abashiri
​Hot air balloon flights in Abashiri are available during the drift ice season along the Sea of Okhotsk. Balloons ascend to nearly a kilometer in altitude as the frozen landscapes below are revealed. Views of the drift ice and Shiretoko Peninsula are unforgettable during the 50 minute flights.

Furano
Asobiya & Furano Nature Club offer flights throughout most of the year. Early-morning winter flights last 30-40 minutes and take in the spectacular snow-laden Daisetsuzan Mountain Range. Flights in spring are 5 minute tethered flights during sunrise and sunset.

Niseko
Hokkaido Lion Adventure has short-duration tethered flights available in the spring, summer and fall. Admire the views of the Niseko area's legendary mountains, including Mt. Annapuri, Mt. Yotei and Mt. Shakotan. Prices start at 2,100 yen per person.

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Obihiro
Tokachigawa Moored Onsen near Obihiro offers daily sunrise and sunset tethered flights during spring, summer and fall. The 5 minute flights ascend to 30 meters and offer great views of the Tokachi Plains, southern Daisetsuzan mountains and Hidaka range. Flight cost is 2,000 yen per person.