Many visitors to Furano look forward to seeing the lavender fields and other vast natural beauty, but what is surprisingly unknown is that you can experience hot-air ballooning in Furano.
Since you can enjoy the beauty of nature from the ground, the view of Furano from the sky in a hot-air balloon is even more exceptional!
It would not be an exaggeration to say that it is 1,000 times more beautiful!　
If you are planning a trip to Furano, hot air ballooning is a must-do experience.

Hot air balloons in Furano! How does it work?

Just as many people have never heard of enjoying hot-air ballooning in Furano, not that many people know what the principle is and how hot-air balloons are made in the first place.

A hot-air balloon is divided into a balloon skin, a burner, a cylinder, and a basket.
The air warmed by the fire ignited by the burner accumulates in the balloon, which is called the balloon skin, and the balloon rises.
The top of the balloon skin has a lip panel (exhaust valve), through which the air in the hot air balloon can be expelled, allowing it to descend, and the burner can be ignited to allow the hot air to build up, allowing it to rise again.
Because of its simple structure, some people still make and fly hot-air balloons by themselves, but it is said that most people purchase balloons made by overseas manufacturers.

Is Hot Air Ballooning a Matter of Luck? How do hot air balloons fly?

If you still don’t understand why hot air balloons fly, let me explain it to you.
The principle behind hot air balloons is simply the relationship between hot and cold air.
The warm air moves upward and the cold air moves downward, creating buoyancy by the flow of air.
However, a hot air balloon can only ascend and descend.

So, for example, if you decide to take a hot air balloon ride in Furano to Sapporo, the direction in which the balloon will fly is up to the wind of the day, and where in Furano you will end up is up to your luck. It is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Sounds like a wonderful experience!

How do I fly a hot air balloon? Do I need a license?

When you take a hot air balloon ride in Furano, there is a pilot on board who flies the hot air balloon in addition to you.
What does this pilot do in the hot air balloon?
As already mentioned, a hot air balloon can only ascend and descend.
The pilot reads the direction and strength of the wind in the sky, which changes depending on the altitude, location, and terrain in which the balloon is floating, and “puts” the balloon into the wind that is blowing toward the destination.
Matching the hot air balloon to the wind in the direction you want to go is a very advanced skill, so a license is still required to operate a hot air balloon.
The hot air balloon pilot’s license is the “Hot Air Balloon Pilot’s Certificate” officially recognized by the Japan Balloon Association, and there are various training methods to obtain it.
After experiencing hot air ballooning in Furano, you may get hooked and obtain a pilot’s license…it may be a life-changing experience for you.

What are some famous hot air ballooning locations outside of Furano?

Some people may have a stronger image of experiencing hot-air ballooning overseas than hot-air ballooning can be experienced in Furano.
The most famous hot air ballooning experience is in Cappadocia, a World Heritage site in Turkey.

Cappadocia is famous for its many oddly shaped rocks, so much so that most photos taken of Cappadocia show colorful hot air balloons flying overhead.
The collaboration of these strange rocks and hot air balloons is truly breathtaking!
Many people want to experience it at least once before they die, and its beauty seems to be very popular, especially among Japanese women.
But it takes a lot of time and money to travel to Turkey.
With a ballooning experience in Furano, you can rest assured that you are in Japan, and more importantly, you can enjoy it even on a short trip of one night and two days, or two nights and three days!

Even though it is in Japan, a hot air balloon experience in Furano can be as exciting as an overseas experience.
You may be interested in learning more about hot air ballooning in Furano.

There are two ways to fly a hot air balloon in Furano!　Which do you prefer?

There are two types of hot air balloon flights that can be experienced in Furano.
The first is called a moored flight, in which the ground and the hot air balloon cage are connected by a rope.

In mooring flight, a rope is tied to a heavy object on the ground called an anchor, and the balloon can fly up to a height of 20 to 30 meters.
This type of flight is recommended for first-timers and those who are a little afraid of heights, and is mainly used during the summer months.

Another way to fly is free flight.

There is no rope connection between the ground and the aircraft, and the skilled pilots navigate the wind as they aim for their destination, which is a true “flying” experience.
Since the landing point depends on the wind, a large area of land is required for the landing point.
In case of emergency, free flight in a hot air balloon is a rare experience that can only be had in Furano during the winter season.
Which way of flying do you prefer?

Is it rare and difficult to experience hot air balloon free flight, even in Furano?

If you are going to Furano in winter, you might want to take a free flight if you are going to take a hot air balloon ride!
If so, we recommend that you make your reservations as soon as you decide on your trip to Furano.

The reason for this is, as I mentioned, that free-flight is related to the fact that it is easily affected by the wind.
In the daytime, the air warmed by the sun tends to cause winds in the sky, making it difficult for even the most skilled pilot to maneuver a balloon.
Therefore, it is said that the best time to fly is from early morning, just after sunrise, to early morning, and there are only a limited number of slots available for free hot-air balloon flights each day.
There are many people who want to experience hot air ballooning.
In a sense, the first one to fly is the first one to arrive, so if you are planning to visit Furano, make sure you take a free flight!

Altitude of 1,000 meters? Hot air balloon free flight in Furano

Again, Furano’s hot air balloon free flights are a seasonal program during the winter season.
The view of the countryside of Furano covered with white snow and a silver world from a hot-air balloon is truly an exquisite experience.
This is a rare opportunity to experience this spectacular activity with your loved one.
Basho Trip offers the following plan for free flight in a hot-air balloon over the sky of Furano, where you will ascend from an altitude of 100 meters to 1,000 meters while reading the wind.
It is very cold up in the sky, but the spectacular view will surely take your breath away!
After the free flight experience, you will also receive free homemade bread and warm beverages made by the guides.
It is a thrilling experience, but you can trust the experienced and reliable skills of the pilots and enjoy the beautiful silver world of Furano to the fullest!

Summary

You would definitely like to try a hot air balloon experience in Furano, wouldn’t you?
Of course, you can take a free flight in winter and enjoy the spectacular view of the silver world, but we also highly recommend taking a leisurely flight on a moored flight to experience floating in the air!
In summer, you can enjoy the wonderful scenery of Furano, which is different from that in winter.
If you visit Furano, go hot-air ballooning, and be sure to keep this in mind when you travel to Furano!

For Hokkaido activity experiences visit Basho Trip