Private multi-day tour · Multi-day from Tokyo
From Tokyo: 5-Day Saga Balloon Fiesta Customizable Tour
See hundreds of hot-air balloons rise at dawn at the Saga International Balloon Fiesta, then visit Karatsu and the squid market town of Yobuko.
Private · your group only◆5 days◆Up to 6 guests◆Pickup included
Road-day snapshot
This is your private tour, so the route is flexible: tell us if you want to skip a stop, stay longer somewhere or add a place nearby.
The experience
A private journey, thoughtfully paced
The Saga International Balloon Fiesta is one of the largest hot-air balloon events in Asia. It takes place for about five days around late October and early November each year. Balloon teams from many countries fly over the rice fields by the Kase River.
The best time is early morning. Many balloons rise together into the sky in the cool air. You stand by the field and watch them inflate and lift off. Your driver-guide plans the early start so you arrive before the crowd.
On another day you drive to Karatsu by the sea. You see Karatsu Castle on the hill and Karatsu pottery shops. Then you go on to Yobuko, a small fishing port known for its morning market and fresh squid.
This is a date-fixed product. It runs only during the Fiesta dates in late October to early November. Watching the balloons from the field is free, and parking for the Fiesta is included.
This is a private tour. Only your group. One van, 1 to 6 people, never shared. Your driver-guide speaks English, and also Hindi and Urdu.
If the balloon flights at the Saga Balloon Fiesta is closed or cancelled on your date, you can take a full refund of your booking, guaranteed. If you prefer, we can instead spend the morning at the Fiesta grounds and add Yutoku Inari Shrine.
DAY 1 Pickup at your Tokyo hotel and drive west to Okayama (about 8 to 9 hours with breaks).
DAY 2 Drive to Saga. Evening at the Fiesta grounds when it is open.
DAY 3 Early morning balloon flights at the Saga Balloon Fiesta, afternoon free time in Saga.
DAY 4 Karatsu Castle and the Yobuko morning market, then drive to Okayama.
DAY 5 Drive back to your Tokyo hotel (about 8 to 9 hours with breaks).
Choose with confidence
Is this the right journey for your group?
Excellent fit if
- Watch hundreds of balloons rise at dawn over Saga
- Stand by the field as teams inflate and lift off
- See Karatsu Castle above the bay
- Visit the Yobuko morning market and fishing port
- Travel on the Fiesta dates without train crowds
Said plainly
Dates: the tour runs only during the Saga International Balloon Fiesta, about five days in late October and early November. The exact dates are set each year by the organiser. Balloons only fly in calm weather, usually in the morning. Hotels in Saga fill early. If the balloon flights at the Saga Balloon Fiesta is closed or cancelled on your date, you can take a full refund of your booking, guaranteed. If you prefer, we can instead spend the morning at the Fiesta grounds and add Yutoku Inari Shrine. This tour has long driving days. The van has comfortable seats and we stop every 2 hours or so for rest areas, food and toilets.
Your day
Suggested itinerary
Times are approximate. Your driver-guide adjusts the order for traffic, weather, opening hours and the best light.
Watch hundreds of balloons rise at dawn over Saga
Stand by the field as teams inflate and lift off
See Karatsu Castle above the bay
Visit the Yobuko morning market and fishing port
Travel on the Fiesta dates without train crowds
What is covered
What you see is what you pay
Ours — included
- Private van and English-speaking driver-guide
- Hotel pickup and drop-off in central Tokyo
- All parking, fuel and road tolls
- Fiesta parking or shuttle
- Karatsu Castle entry
Yours — paid on the day
- Hotel accommodation (you book your own hotel in Okayama and Saga)
- Meals and drinks unless listed as included
- Gratuities, which are never expected in Japan
- Optional food at Yobuko morning market
- Optional Fiesta goods
Good to know
Before you book
Languages
English, Urdu, Hindi, Punjabi
Pickup
Pickup and drop-off at your Tokyo hotel or accommodation (23 wards).
Group and vehicle
Private for up to 6 guests. Enter adults, children, infants and child seats separately at booking.
Dietary and mobility needs
Halal, vegetarian, allergy, walking or other practical requests go in your booking notes and are planned before the day.
Questions
Frequently asked
Can we change the route on the day?
Yes. It is a private tour in our own van, so your driver-guide can skip, extend or add stops where time allows.
Is the price per person?
No. The price is for your whole private group of up to 6 people, including the van, fuel, tolls, parking and your driver-guide.
What is the cancellation policy?
Cancel at least 24 hours before departure for an automatic full refund to the original payment method. Within 24 hours, contact us directly so we can help. If a typhoon or official weather warning stops the trip, we offer a new date or a full refund. For a GetYourGuide booking, the terms shown on that booking apply.
Somewhere else in mind?
Any destination in Japan
If this route is not exactly what you need, tell us the destination, dates and group. We confirm the plan and the exact price before any payment is taken.
Plan a custom journeyYour private Japan day
Ready to reserve?
Choose a live date and complete secure payment in a few minutes.
From¥376,000
Check dates