Balloon flight experience in Yamagata, famous for its sea of clouds

[June – December / Sunday] This hot air balloon flight experience takes place at Mt. Jubuichi in Nanyo City, offering panoramic views over the Okitama Basin. On clear days, you can enjoy sweeping views of Yonezawa City, the surrounding countryside, and several of Japan’s famous 2,000-meter-class mountains, including the Mt. Iide, Mt. Azuma, and Mt. Asahi. In autumn, a sea of clouds often spreads across the basin below. Viewing the sea of clouds from a hot air balloon is a special sight unique to this location. Why not challenge yourself to encounter a breathtaking view from the sky? This is a tethered hot air balloon experience in which the balloon remains connected to the ground by ropes while ascending to a height of approximately 15–20 meters. Enjoy a special moment as you gently rise into the sky. This plan offers two types of experiences: “Full Participation” (limited to 20 participants), which allows guests to take part in everything from setup to pack-down, and “Boarding Only.” Please note that the meeting times differ depending on the option selected. ▪️ Difference Between “Full Participation” and “Boarding Only” “Full Participation” is an interactive program in which guests work alongside the pilot from the preparation of the balloon through to the final pack-down. Together, participants spread out the balloon, which weighs over 200 kg, attach carabiners, set up the gas system, and witness the important burner test. A hot air balloon cannot be launched by one person alone. Let’s work together as a team to make the flight a success. Before inflation, participants can even step inside the colorful balloon itself. Enjoy this photogenic world inside the balloon. Including breaks, the total experience takes approximately 1–2 hours. If conditions are favorable, participants may also receive a complimentary second flight. Full Participation is limited to 20 people. “Boarding Only” is the standard hot air balloon experience. Guests will be guided in the order of check-in on the day. The actual flight lasts approximately 5 minutes. After the flight, guests are free to leave at their convenience. ▪️ Start Times Start times vary depending on the season and sunrise time. June – September Full Participation: 5:30 AM Boarding Only: 6:00 AM October – December Full Participation: 6:30 AM Boarding Only: 7:00 AM ーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーー Hot air balloons cannot operate in rainy or windy conditions. Guests with reservations will receive an email between 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM on the day before the event regarding whether the flight will proceed. The information will also be posted on this page, so please be sure to check if you do not receive the email. June 28: Cancelled (minimum number of participants not met) Flight Success Rates (2024–2025) June: 40% July: 71% August: 64% September: 40% October: 45% November: 56% ーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーー ▪️ Can the experience proceed in bad weather? For safety reasons, flights will be cancelled if wind speeds exceed 3 m/s or if it is raining. Depending on weather changes during the day, flights may start later than scheduled or be interrupted after operations have begun. Due to the nature of hot air balloons, even guests with reservations for the same time slot may not all be able to fly. Thank you for your understanding. ▪️ Will I receive a refund if the event is cancelled? Yes. If the organizer cancels the event, a full refund will be issued. Refunds are automatically processed to the credit card used for the reservation. Depending on your credit card company, it may take one to two months for the refund to appear. Cancellation fees apply if you cancel for personal reasons or arrive after the check-in time. ▪️ Can anyone participate? Anyone in good health, including infants, can participate. Even if you are afraid of heights, you are welcome to join as long as you have a spirit of adventure. If you have any health concerns, please contact us in advance. ▪️ Can I participate alone? Yes. Although balloon baskets are generally shared by 3–5 passengers, reservations can be made by a single participant. Solo travelers are welcome to enjoy the unique experience of floating in the sky. If you would prefer to fly only with your own group, private charter flights are also available. Please feel free to contact us for details. ▪️ What should I wear? Please wear comfortable clothing suitable for outdoor activities. Occasionally, condensation from the burner may drip down. This area experiences significant temperature differences between early morning and daytime. Even during summer, warm clothing is recommended for early morning flights. ▪️ How high does the balloon rise? Depending on the location and conditions, the balloon rises to approximately 15~20 meters above the ground. It is a comfortable height that allows you to enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. ▪️ How long will I be in the air? The actual flight time is approximately 5 minutes. The duration may vary slightly depending on conditions on the day. ▪️ What is the schedule on the day? After check-in, guests will be guided to the balloon in order. Before and after your flight, you can take commemorative photos with the balloon in the background. Why not try some fun trick photography as well? Guests participating in the Boarding Only option are free to leave after their flight. ▪️ How is the boarding order determined? Boarding order is generally determined by check-in order. However, adjustments may be made to balance the total weight of passengers in the basket. ▪️ Is there a minimum number of participants? Yes. A minimum of 10 participants is required for the event to proceed. If the minimum number is not reached by three days before the event, participants will be notified of cancellation by email. ▪️ For Guests Wishing to Bring Their Dogs For many dogs, this will be a completely new experience. They may be startled by the loud noise and flames from the burner. Dogs may react in unexpected ways beyond the owner's expectations. Please participate at your own responsibility. Pet insurance is not provided. Pet Ride Option: ¥1,000 (For dogs under 20 kg, one dog per adult participant) For guests bringing two or more dogs, or for dogs weighing over 20 kg, a private charter is required. Private Charter: ¥20,000 (1–4 passengers) Please note that, even for private charters, an additional staff member other than the pilot may accompany the flight for safety reasons. Please bring a harness, sling, or any other equipment you feel is necessary for your dog. ▪️ Reservation Changes and Cancellation Fees Please refer to the cancellation policy shown below on this page. One reservation change is permitted free of charge up to 5:00 PM four days before the event. Any changes requested after that time will be treated as cancellations. ▪️ Reservations by Bank Transfer If it is difficult for you to make an online reservation using a credit card, reservations can also be made by bank transfer. Please apply using the following form: https://forms.gle/2AxqiqoLg8BmMG2eA

• Days of Week

  Sun

• Duration

  2h

• Adult (full participation) (ages 18+)

  JPY 6,000

• Children (full participation) (ages 18 & under)

  JPY 4,000

• Adult (boarding only) (ages 18+)

  JPY 4,000

• Children (boarding only) (ages 18 & under)

  JPY 2,000

• Add-ons

  • 1 pet accompanying

    [Description]

    One dog under 20kg per adult is allowed. If you are traveling with two or more dogs, or your dog is over 20kg, please book a charter flight.

    [Price]

    Per-BookingJPY 1,000

  • 2 pets accompanying

    [Price]

    Per-BookingJPY 2,000

• What's Included

  • Flight experience fee
  • Insurance
  • Consumption tax

• What to Bring

  • Please dress warmly. It will be chilly in the morning.
  • For infants and toddlers who need to be held, please bring a baby carrier. For safety reasons, a baby carrier is required during the flight.

• Cancellation Policies

  • Until 17:00, 4 days prior: 0%
  • Until 17:00 the day before: 30%
  • After 17:00 the day before: 100%