Osaki Balloon Festival

A hot air balloon competition held every November in Osaki City, located about a two-hour drive northwest of Sendai City. 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.