The Ichinoseki-Hiraizumi Hot Air Balloon Festival 2024

The Hot Air Balloon Honda Grand Prix is one of the hottest hot air balloon competitions in Japan! Top pilots gather to take to the Tohoku sky.

This tournament, which started as an initiative to aid in the recovery from the Great East Japan Earthquake disaster, has become an annual event and is the only full-scale hot air balloon competition in all of Tohoku. The unique and varied terrain of the vast countryside, which includes mountainous areas with small hills, and airspace of up to 8,000 feet attracts national and international champions.

This year, various events will be held at the venue, including hot air balloon mooring boarding and stage events at Mizube Plaza (一関水辺プラザ).

Enjoy the 35 scheduled balloons by looking up at the Ichinoseki city/Hiraizumi sky while you are in the general area.

*Scheduled events are subject to change depending on the weather conditions (rainy weather/strong wind).

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Details

Be aware that venues differ for various events, although Mizube Plaza and Udome are a walkable distance of each other. On the 12th and 13th, the National Mochi Festival will also be held around Udome so you can experience two of the best festivals Ichinoseki has to offer on the same day!

Competitive flights ・Oct 11th (Friday) 6:20~, 14:45~ 　 ・Oct 12th (Sat) 6:20~, 14:45~ ・Oct13th (Sun) 6:20~

Competition start/end　一関水辺プラザ　(Ichinoseki Mizube Plaza) Events 

・Oct 11th (Friday) 7:00-10:30 (Ichinoseki Mizube Plaza) Hot air balloon mooring & boarding, hot air balloon class

・Oct 12th (Sat) 7:00-16:00 (Ichinoseki Hirose Udome Carpark)  Hot air balloon mooring & boarding, hot air balloon class, exhibition booths, fluffy play equipment, various experience booths (rugby and soccer feild).

・Oct 13th (Sun) 7:00-15:00 (Ichinoseki Hirose Udome Carpark) Hot air balloon mooring & boarding, hot air balloon class, Honda booth and other exhibit booths

Balloon illusion 

Watch as hot air balloon burners light up the night in time with music. Oct 12th (Sat) 18:00-18:30 along the Iwai River. *Park at Ichinoseki City Hall and talk a short walk towards Iwai Bashi Bridge 磐井橋, or if you are coming from the station, take the West Exit and walk ~15mins towards Iwai Bashi Bridge)

Ichinoseki Mizube Plaza (一関水辺プラザ）

Homepage (JP): https://www.facebook.com/ichinoseki.hiraizumi.balloonfestival

Ichinonoseki Tourist Division (JP): 0191-21-8413

2024 Poster

Footage taken last year ♡