Early-Morning Hot Air Balloon Ride Above Aso in Kumamoto
Overview
For spectacular views of Aso-Kuju National Park, hop into a hot air balloon and take to the skies. With the weather most stable around sunrise, the incredible views on this tethered balloon ride are a treat exclusively for early risers!
Highlights
- Take to the skies in a hot air balloon, in the clear morning air of Aso
- If conditions are right, find yourself floating amid a sea of clouds
- Fire the burner yourself, and feel the heat and power that carries you into the sky
- Marvel at the majesty of Aso-Kuju National Park with a bird’s-eye view
- See the Five Peaks of Mt. Aso as the magnificent Aso Grasslands spread out beneath you
Important Information
- Please be sure we can reach you with your provided contact number the day before, to confirm the meeting time
- Please inform us in advance if you are pregnant, have pre-existing medical conditions, or use a wheelchair - Be aware it can be cold in the early morning, especially in winter, and your shoes may get wet from fog and long grass
- The total activity duration, 10–30 minutes depending on group size, is for the whole experience; actual flight time will be about 5 minutes
- COVID-19 prevention measures will be in place, such as masks worn by staff, and separating participants into one family group per ride
- This experience requires at least 15 participants in total in order to go ahead Activity Rules
- Children aged 0–3 can ride for free but must be accompanied by a parent or guardian
- No pets onboard
- Guests must comply with all COVID-19 prevention measures
- Guests must not take away plants from the park and must take away any trash brought in
- If we have to cancel the experience due to rain, wind speeds over 3 meters per second, or not meeting the minimum number of participants, we will inform you by 17:00 the day before the experience to refund or reschedule (for Friday bookings we will contact you on Wednesday)
- Please understand that in booking this activity, we may share your booking information (but without individually identifiable data) to the Ministry of the Environment, with which this activity is affiliated. By making a booking, you signify that you agree to these terms. Please understand that in booking this activity, we may share your booking information (but without individually identifiable data) to the Ministry of the Environment, with which this activity is affiliated. By making a booking, you signify that you agree to these terms.
Booking
Description
This experience is available every day, except Thursdays and the New Year holiday season (open on national holidays). The timing depends on the season and number of participants, with takeoff between about 05:45 and 07:15. Typically, the balloon will take off in the following windows:
April–July: 06:30–07:00 Aug–Sept: 05:45–06:45 Oct–Mar: 06:45–07:15
The experience lasts about 20 minutes from start to finish, with about 5 minutes of airtime. Example schedule for a 05:45 takeoff:
05:30 — Meet at Fureai-mizube Park, where you’ll have a safety briefing and stand by for boarding. 05:45 — Board the hot air balloon, and watch the Earth fall away as you gently climb 40 meters into the sky. Float above Aso-Kuju National Park, enjoying spectacular views only possible in the early-morning hours when the atmosphere is most stable. 05:50 — The balloon returns smoothly to its starting point via the tethers that stay attached at all times.
Meeting place：Fureai-mizube Park（ふれあい水辺公園） Google Map • By train: Fureiai-mizube Park is 5 minutes by taxi from Aso Station on the JR Houhi Line • By car: 50 minutes’ drive from the Kumamoto IC interchange on the Kyushu Expressway (free parking available)
