Golden Week 2024 Saku Balloon Festival

(That balloon is Koitaro.  Koitaro is the mascot of Saku City.  Why?  Because Saku is one of the few places where people eat koi--carp.)

Mrs. Caveman and I attended the balloon festival this past weekend.  It was great.  Check out the video.

Caveman Out

 

Golden Week 2023, Saku City Balloon Festival

 

Saku City in Nagano holds a hot air balloon festival for 3 days every Golden Week.  It's neat!  There are races between the balloons.  Also, there is the chance for spectators to ride in a balloon.

Here is a Japanese link to the Saku Balloon Festival.

I got up early to travel the few miles to the venue.  I could have just stayed home and let the balloons come to me!

At night, there was a pyrotechnic display.  I stayed away from the crowds and watched it from Kokuzoyama, a viewpoint above the Healthy Terrace Michi no Eki.

Have a great Golden Week!