It’s just a two and a half hour flight from Cheongju International Airport in Korea. How about taking to the skies in Tokachi, Hokkaido? Float gently upward in a hot air balloon, surrounded by the crisp, clear air of early morning. Below you lies a vast, unbroken landscape stretching as far as the eye can see. Ahead, the endless blue sky meets the gentle curve of the horizon, making you feel the true expanse of our planet.
As a travel writer, I’ll share with you the excitement and wonder of my very first hot air balloon flight in Tokachi, complete with photos to bring the experience to life.
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What Is a Hot Air Balloon Adventure in Tokachi, Hokkaido?
When you think of hot air balloons, you might picture the tethered kind at festivals or events, where the balloon is secured to the ground with ropes.
Even just rising a few dozen meters above the ground with a tethered balloon can give you a unique sense of floating in the sky. But in Tokachi, Hokkaido, you can experience a “free flight”—a hot air balloon ride that cuts loose from the ropes and soars high into the open sky. With nothing connecting you to the ground, you’ll feel like you’re truly traveling through the air, drifting wherever the wind takes you.
Step into the basket, and you’ll gently ascend hundreds of meters above the ground. Below, endless plains and patchwork fields unfold like a painting, so breathtaking that you’ll find yourself momentarily speechless.
Ahead, the horizon and sky melt together in a magical scene that’s beyond description. Before you know it, you’re quietly captivated by the view in front of you. This is the kind of experience Tokachi offers.
The Unique Scenery of Tokachi
When you think of Tokachi in Hokkaido, what comes to mind is its vast farmland. The fields are neatly divided, the roads stretch out arrow-straight, and the landscape spreads out below like a giant patchwork quilt.
Another hallmark of Tokachi is its crystal-clear air. With virtually no smog or yellow dust, you can see distant views with incredible clarity.
On early mornings when balloons take off, mist often drifts over the fields. The soft sunrise filters through the fog, wrapping the entire landscape in a dreamlike glow. The grandeur of the view rivals even Cappadocia. You’ll be reaching for your camera nonstop—it’s just that breathtaking.
My Hot Air Balloon Experience with Tokachi Soratabidan
There are several groups in Tokachi, Hokkaido that offer hot air balloon rides, but I joined a flight with Tokachi Soratabidan, a local team deeply rooted in the community.
The staff are locals who know Tokachi’s winds and terrain inside out, so even first-timers can feel at ease with their attentive support. And don’t worry about the language barrier—translation apps, simple English, and gestures make communication easy. In fact, they’ve welcomed many international visitors, so you’ll be in good hands.
From here, let me walk you through the whole ballooning experience, from take-off to landing, through the eyes of a travel writer.
Face to Face with the Balloon—A Quiet Start to an Airborne Adventure
Still rubbing the sleep from my eyes, I met up with the group at the sports park at 4:30 a.m.
*Note: Meeting time and location may change depending on the weather and wind conditions.
First, a small balloon is sent up to check the wind direction for the day.
Watching the balloon drift upward was our pilot, Mr. Shinoda—the one who would be guiding us on our sky journey. The look in his eyes, full of responsibility and resolve as he prepares to carry his passengers safely, naturally puts everyone at ease.
Next, our gondola is unloaded from the van…
Then, the colorful balloon itself appears.
Air is blown in using a fan, and then the burner heats up the inside, causing the balloon to slowly inflate.
Once fully inflated, we slip on slippers and step inside the balloon—a special treat only possible at this moment. Surrounded by the vivid colors of the fabric, it’s the perfect spot for some eye-catching photos.
On this day, there was one other couple joining me. They told me it was the wife’s birthday, and this was their second balloon flight after falling in love with the experience last year.
The husband scooped his wife up in his arms for a “princess carry” photo, with the colorful balloon as a backdrop. Seeing their happy smiles was enough to make everyone around them smile too.
By the way, the husband mentioned he’s afraid of heights. Still, wanting to fulfill his wife’s wish to try ballooning again, he bravely decided to join her for a second flight—a true act of love.
Takeoff—The Heart-Pounding First Step Into the Sky
After our photo session, it was time to stand the balloon upright.
Once the balloon was upright and ready, we quickly climbed into the basket and prepared for departure.
Before I knew it, the ground gently drifted away from my feet. The balloon’s shadow on the sports park below was incredibly photogenic.
The sensation of slowly rising into the sky is a bit like taking an elevator to the very top floor of a building. The scenery gradually falls away beneath you, and the ground crew waving goodbye becomes smaller and smaller as you ascend.
Journey Through the Sky—A Stunning Panorama in Peaceful Silence
From above, the world looked like a painting. At 5 a.m., the Tokachi plain wrapped in mist gently welcomed us.
As the mist cleared, a panoramic view stretched from Tokachi’s plains all the way to the Hidaka Mountains. The beauty of the landscape, with clear ridgelines even in the distance, took my breath away.
The refreshing rural scenery below is uniquely Tokachi. Neatly divided farmland and straight roads create a “patchwork” that is a symbol of the region’s overwhelming beauty.
With Tokachi’s clear air, you can see the outlines of the town stretching endlessly.
There are hardly any tall buildings, just a calm, sprawling townscape. The peaceful view is soothing for anyone tired of the city’s hustle and bustle.
Curiously, you hardly feel the wind during flight. That’s because the balloon moves at the same speed as the wind, so you don’t feel it against your body.
You feel almost suspended in midair, yet before you know it, you’ve covered quite a distance. On this day, we were told we reached speeds of about 30 km/h, riding the wind—much to my surprise.
Depending on the wind, hot air balloons usually fly several hundred meters up, and sometimes can even reach 800 meters if conditions are right.
The couple riding with me enjoyed the view together, chatting happily even in the sky. The husband, afraid of heights, laughed and said, “Looking straight down is a bit scary, but gazing out at the distant scenery is fine.”
Hot air balloons don’t make any sudden climbs or drops, so it’s nothing like a thrill ride—those who aren’t fond of heights can still enjoy the sky in comfort.
The Luxury of a Bird’s-Eye View—The Appeal of Low-Altitude Flight
Soaring high isn’t the only charm of a hot air balloon. For commemorative photos from the ground, the balloon descended for a while, letting us enjoy a leisurely low-level flight.
Looking down on the town from just above, it felt like peering at a miniature model. You could clearly see people, livestock, and even hear birds singing and wild animals calling.
Free flight lets you enjoy new scenery again and again, simply by changing altitude.
Altitude control is made possible by the balloon’s design and the pilot’s skill. The burner heats the air, which gathers at the top of the envelope.
There’s a “rip panel”—a kind of lid—at the top of the balloon, and by opening and closing it, the pilot can control ascent and descent.
To ascend, the rip panel is kept closed to trap heat; to descend, it’s opened to let heat escape. Lateral movement relies on the pilot’s skill in reading wind directions at different altitudes and maneuvering the balloon up and down.
If there’s no wind, the balloon doesn’t move. But by changing altitude, you can “catch” new winds. A balloon journey is truly a voyage in conversation with nature.
Returning to Earth—Landing and Lingering Memories
Around 6 a.m., we climbed again, heading for a riverside landing site—the goal of our sky journey.
Several large rivers run through Tokachi, allowing pilots to flexibly choose a landing spot depending on wind direction and speed. This geography is one reason Tokachi is said to be perfect for balloon flights.
At last, landing. The ground crew was waiting to greet us warmly on the riverbank.
Thanks to the pilot’s expert handling, the balloon gently returned to earth, with hardly any impact—just a soft touch down.
After landing, the work of packing up the burner, basket, and balloon began. Both staff and passengers pitched in, making the process feel like a team effort.
The hot air balloon experience goes beyond just flying; even the cleanup is part of the program, breaking down barriers between staff and guests and creating a sense of togetherness.
Once everything was packed, we all piled into a big van to return to the launch site. Out the window, the patchwork fields we’d seen from above drifted by like the end credits of a movie.
From the sky and from the ground, Tokachi’s scenery left a lasting impression, no matter where you view it from.
Hot Air Balloon Experience—Sample Schedule
It’s just a two and a half hour flight from Cheongju International Airport in Korea. In Tokachi, Hokkaido, you can enjoy an authentic hot air balloon experience any time of the year, 365 days a year.
Here’s a sample schedule for joining a “free flight” with Tokachi Soratabidan. Since flights take place early in the morning, staying over the night before is essential.
[Sample schedule for summer (around May–October)]
| Time | Details |
| 3:30 | Staff pick up guests from accommodations (Free for hotels near Obihiro Station; some support for Tokachigawa Onsen area) |
| 4:00 | Arrive at launch site, prepare for flight |
| 5:00 | Take off in the hot air balloon! Soar through the morning sky (Duration: about 30–60 minutes) |
| 6:30 | Landing and pack-up |
| 8:00 | Arrive back at hotel, tour ends |
*In winter (around November–April), everything starts about two hours later than above.
There are two ways to reach the meeting point.
If you stay the night before at a hotel near Obihiro Station or Tokachigawa Onsen, staff will pick you up early in the morning. Pick-up from the Obihiro Station area is free. For Tokachigawa Onsen, there’s an extra fee of around 500 yen per person for gas.
You can also head to the meeting point yourself, following the instructions sent by email the day before. This gives you more flexibility in choosing your accommodations and planning your trip. However, since the meeting is very early, staying in Obihiro city is recommended for peace of mind.
Useful Information Before You Join
Here’s some helpful info to check in advance so you can fully enjoy your hot air balloon experience. We’ll explain prices, what to wear, how to book, and more.
1. About Fees, Payment, and Cancellations
Here are the prices for hot air balloon rides with Tokachi Soratabidan:
| Free Flight (about 30–60 min) | 33,000 yen (tax included) / person |
| Payment Methods | On-site payment (Credit card & QR code payments accepted) |
| Cash Discount | 500 yen discount (*When booking directly from the official website) |
| Cancellation Fees | 2 days before: 50% Day before/on the day: 100% |
2. What to Wear
Here are some tips on what to wear for your balloon experience.
[Summer (May–October)]
- The temperature difference between the ground and the air is not significant. Any comfortable, easy-to-move-in clothing is fine.
- Occasionally, soot-mixed droplets may fall from the burner, so we recommend wearing clothes you don’t mind getting dirty.
- To prevent injuries, please avoid wearing shorts.
[Winter (November–April)]
- Tokachi winters can drop below -20°C. Make sure to dress warmly.
- Thermal jumpsuits and neck warmers are available to borrow for free.
- We also recommend bringing your own thermal underwear or dressing in layers for extra warmth.
3. Other Important Notes
Here are some additional things to keep in mind:
- Hot air balloon flights are available year-round but may be canceled due to weather or wind conditions.
- If your flight is canceled, you’ll be notified by email the day before. In this case, no fees will be charged.
- You can bring cameras or smartphones, but only those with straps are allowed to prevent dropping them. Straps can also be purchased on-site for 200 yen (tax included).
- Space in the basket is limited, so you cannot bring personal belongings. Staff will keep your bags safe during the flight.
- Participants must be at least 6 years old, and children under 15 must be accompanied by a guardian.
- Those who are pregnant or may be pregnant are not allowed to participate.
4. How to Book (Korean Support Available)
The official Tokachi Soratabidan website is available in English, Korean, and Chinese. For reservations in Korean, visit the dedicated page below and fill out the application form.
https://tokachisoratabidan.jimdofree.com/korean/
Breathtaking Views—A Sky Journey You’ll Want to Relive
In the quiet of early morning, the hot air balloon slowly rises over the Tokachi plain. The vast scenery from above feels like another world entirely—the awe is something photos simply can’t capture.
Just two and a half hours by plane from Cheongju, Korea, this extraordinary escape is closer than you think. The majestic views will capture your heart, and before you know it, you’ll be dreaming about your next flight. See this beautiful landscape with your own eyes next time!
[Information│Contact]
TEL：090-6444-0085
Official Website (Japanese)
Official Website (Korean)
