Let's fulfill your desire to fly in the sky with the popular hot-air balloon experience in Furano, Hokkaido.

<Basic information>
Provided by: Leisure Guide Playhouse Furano
Minimum number of participants: 2 people
Number of people that can be reserved: 2 people ~
Holding period: 12/1 to 3/31 (may change depending on snow conditions)
Price: 14,000 yen Adults (flight time 20 minutes) / person ~

There are two main types of balloons, one is a balloon called a "gas balloon" that is lighter than air and is filled with helium and hydrogen to fly, and the other is a "hot air balloon" that floats by burning a burner and storing steam in the balloon. This plan is a hot-air balloon, a "free flight" that allows you to fly freely according to the flow of the wind. In addition to free flights, there are also "mooring flights" where you can enjoy floating 20 to 30 meters above the ground while connected to the ground with a rope. Unlike moored flights, free flights can only be done in a limited number of places in Japan because there are vast lands available for landing and there are no obstacles in the sky. Will not be held.

Furano is one of the top spots. It is an activity only in the winter when more land can be used due to the accumulation of snow, and only in the morning when the airflow is more stable and the wind is calm. There is a weather check in the early morning of the flight day, and if the conditions are not met, it will be canceled, so this is a very rare experience. When I see the magnificent white scenery that spreads 360 degrees from the sky above the Furano Basin, I am sure to be moved and cry. Free flight that can fly freely may rise 600 to 1000 m under good conditions, so honestly I am a little worried about leaving it to the wind in such a sky, but I am relieved that a proper pilot will ride and fly a hot air balloon. is not it. However, the sky can be quite cold, so be sure to wear warm clothes. We are grateful that ski wear, snow boots, and gloves can be rented under this plan (for a fee).

Speaking of balloons, I can't help but talk about "Uncle Carl's Flying House" and "Uncle Balloons". It goes without saying that Grandpa Carl is a famous movie, and Uncle Balloon is a person who took off from Japan in 1992 with a gondola (fantasy) with balloons aiming to cross the Pacific Ocean. To be exact, neither is a "balloon", but the appearance of flying in the sky is somewhat similar to a balloon. In both cases, the appearance of flying with many colorful balloons is very fantastic and cute, but it is a pretty good gap that the rider is an "old man".

After reading the article that Uncle Balloon was carrying a high-grade awamori "Donan" that does not freeze even when the temperature drops as a weight, every time I see "Donan" at an Okinawan restaurant, I remember Uncle Balloon. .. I wonder what it was like when I had to throw it into the sea because the altitude had dropped. I wonder if he was confident that he would arrive in America. I wonder where he flew (the whereabouts are unknown at this time). I'm sure there will be an uncle balloon in the corner of my heart. When I get on the balloon, I'm likely to think about Uncle Balloon again.