At Yatsugatake Agricultural College (Hara Village and Chino City, Nagano Prefecture; Chairman: Soichiro Minami), hot air balloons will take to the sky above the college's 10-hectare flower field, YATZ GARDEN, for three days only this July — July 20 (Mon, holiday), 25 (Sat), and 26 (Sun), 2026. Riders board the balloon right in the flower field, 1,300 meters above sea level, for a 360-degree view of the vividly colored blooms below and the commanding Yatsugatake mountain range beyond. Advance reservations are open now.
Early-Morning Views and a Gentle Lift-Off
The balloon flies during the calmer morning winds, from 6:30 AM to 9:00 AM. Riders can take in the cool, clear early-morning air along with a gentle floating sensation and an unobstructed panoramic view. The experience welcomes ages 0 and up, with babies able to ride held in a caregiver's arms, making it something the whole family can enjoy together as a summer memory.
Flower Field Balloon Experience Overview
Dates: July 20 (Mon, holiday), 25 (Sat), and 26 (Sun), 2026
Time: 6:30 AM to 9:00 AM each day (gates open around 6:00 AM)
Organizer: Setouchi Balloon Service Co., Ltd.
Age requirement: Ages 0 and up (riding held in a caregiver's arms is allowed)
Duration: About 20 minutes total (the flight itself lasts around 5 minutes)
Price: ¥4,000 per person, tax included
Meeting point: The YATZ GARDEN flower field at Yatsugatake Agricultural College (https://x.gd/kbF6Yo)
Access note: No public transportation runs this early in the morning, so visitors are asked to arrive by car.
Availability and reservations: https://www.asoview.com/channel/activities/ja/yatsunou-taiken/offices/3117/courses/27724/calendars
More information: See "Flower Field Balloon Experience" on this page: https://www.asoview.com/channel/activities/ja/yatsunou-taiken/offices/3117/courses
Notes for Participants
- Same-day registration is available, but advance reservations are recommended since reserved guests are given priority.
- Weather-related cancellations and refunds: The ride may be canceled or cut short due to rain, storms, muddy ground, or wind conditions. Guests who end up unable to fly because of a cancellation or interruption receive a full refund.
- Day-of flight announcements: If a day's flight is canceled, an announcement will be posted by 6:00 AM on the college's official Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/yatsunou.since1938/) — guests are asked to check there.
- Other notes: Pets cannot ride. Guests who do not follow staff instructions for safety reasons may be asked not to participate. Media coverage or photography for records and social media may take place on some dates.
YATZ GARDEN: This Season's Blooms
YATZ GARDEN spans roughly 10 hectares and is free to enter. The area sees some of the longest hours of sunshine in Japan alongside a dramatic day-to-night temperature swing of over 15°C, running roughly 8°C cooler than Tokyo on average — high-elevation conditions that bring out especially vivid color in the flowers. Now in its second season under its current name, the garden reopened on July 3, 2026.
As of now, the garden's marigolds — a mix of yellow and orange — are about 60% in bloom, with a peak expected in late July, roughly a week and a half from this release. "Colors," planted in rows of different varieties for a striped effect, and red-and-white salvia are both about 30% in bloom, with their peak expected in early August, about three and a half weeks out. Blooms are expected to keep building through the summer.
For the latest updates on bloom conditions or closures due to bad weather, check the college's official Instagram.
At the center of the flower field, visitors can pick up soft-serve made with the college's own fresh milk, and starting in August, a fresh corn harvesting experience — sweet enough to rival melon — will also open, making YATZ GARDEN a spot to spend the whole day this summer.
Getting to YATZ GARDEN
By car: About 15 minutes from Suwa-Minami IC or about 30 minutes from Kobuchizawa IC on the Chuo Expressway. Park at the Yatsugatake Farm direct-sales shop, then continue to the flower field — about 4 to 5 minutes by car, marked by a white sign.
By train: About 20 minutes by taxi from JR Chuo Main Line's Chino Station, or about 30 minutes by bus to the "Yatsugatake Chuo Nogyo Jissen Daigakko-mae" stop (from the bus stop, it's roughly a 30-minute walk across campus to the flower field).
Parking: 600 spaces (free)
Admission: Free
Website: https://yatsunou.jp/garden/
