Osaki Balloon Festival

Held every November in Osaki City, about a two-hour drive northwest of Sendai, this hot air balloon competition marks its 37th year in 2024. The ideal conditions for balloon flights in this area include the westerly winds blowing from Iwadeyama toward the Osaki Plain, the lack of high-voltage power lines, and minimal civilian flight paths.

Hot air balloons from across Japan gather at Eai River Riverside Park, where competitions such as dropping a marker as close as possible to a target from several kilometers away take place. The balloons, each over 20 meters tall, soaring into the clear autumn sky in a kaleidoscope of colors is a breathtaking sight.

The two-day event also features a range of activities, with the tethered balloon rides being particularly popular. These rides allow participants to experience a hot air balloon while safely anchored to the ground. As the experience is first-come, first-served with limited availability, it's common for eager visitors to line up for tickets early, sometimes even overnight.