Saga International Balloon Fiesta
The Saga International Balloon Fiesta is a major international hot air balloon competition held annually in late October and early November along the Kase Riverbed in Saga City. Since its inception in 1980, the event has grown into one of Asia’s largest aerial spectacles, attracting pilots from across the globe and hundreds of thousands of spectators.
The festival features various competitive events held in the early morning and afternoon, where pilots demonstrate precision flying by navigating complex wind currents to drop markers on specific targets. Beyond the professional competitions, the “Balloon Fantasia” segment is a popular attraction featuring giant, whimsically shaped balloons depicting animals and popular characters. These are inflated on the ground, allowing visitors to view the massive structures up close, provided weather conditions are favorable.
A significant highlight of the festival is “La Montgolfier Nocturne,” a night glow event held during the final days of the celebration. In this display, dozens of tethered balloons are illuminated by their burners in synchronization with live music. The reflection of the glowing balloons on the surface of the Kase River creates a distinct visual atmosphere. To accommodate the high volume of attendees, a temporary train station, JR Balloon Saga Station, is operated specifically for the duration of the event, and a large marketplace featuring local food and produce from across Saga Prefecture is established on-site.