Out of Norm Travels - Adventures in Japan: 2019 - (November) Saga International Balloon Fiesta
I did a short roam over to Saga Japan earlier in November 2019 to witness the famous Saga International Balloon Fiesta, Asia's largest hot-air balloon festival. The 2019 Balloon Fiesta itself ran from October 30th (Wed) to November 5th (Tue) 2019. After landing in Fukuoka on Nov 1, it was an easy 1 hour bus connection direct from Fukuoka airport after purchasing the ticket machine from the ticketing machine. The bus comes at dedicated timing stated on the bus board.
Over the 6 days, SIBF combines three "tournaments" with grand fireworks and light shows put on by the hot-air balloons. The main launch site usually starts sending the hot-air balloons up for the competitions at around 7am. Weather is always a factor as the balloons cannot be put up during bad weather or strong winds. In fact, the afternoon competition flight on Nov 1 was cancelled due to strong winds. For 2019, there were 123 pilots from all over the world, 17 countries including Japan and a total of 123 balloons.
On the last 2 nights, the hot air balloons will be illuminated at night by the flames from their burners and the music of a live band to add to the display. This is called "La Mongolfier Nocturne" or the night mooring and is registered as a night scene heritage site for Japan.
The happiness that I felt when I first saw the hot air balloons taking flight at sunrise counts as my happiness in its purest form. This is akin to what I felt when I saw my first milky way at Bromo, my first aurora in Alaska and my first fireworks in Nagasaki Japan. The experience is just pure joy and brought a huge smile to my face and filled my heart. The world did seem a little more beautiful after this :)
Catching the Balloons at first light is also one of the most beautiful sights in the world. This is when the air is fresh and clean and everything is a blur, as if the world is waking up after a night of good slumber. That's why I think my photos are more beautiful in the mornings.
Now over to Saga where I stayed throughout my trip. Saga Prefecture (佐賀県, Saga-ken) is a small prefecture on the island of Kyushu. It has a rather sleepy town feel with almost everything closing by 630-7pm and the convenience store and supermarket round my corner actually ran out of bread one weekend night. Credit cards are not commonly accepted here in Saga as almost every stall I patronised, including convenience stall, supermarket and transport options (including taxis and trains) asked for cash payment. Foodwise, the speciality of Saga is their Onsen Yudofu (hot pot using hot spring water) where tofu is placed into hot onsen water and brought to a boil. The meal is ready when the tofu becomes slightly soft and water becomes milky. Mutsugoro or mud skippers are the symbol of Saga - you can find their images on the drain covers. They live in the tidal flats of the Ariake Sea, near to Saga prefecture.
That being said, Japan overall is great for solo travel as it's one of the most safest places in the world even without the flood of streetlights. I felt very safe walking in the dark streets in and around Japan. I actually wonder why I don't have the same feeling walking down a dark street in London during the evenings. Can I attribute it to Japanese nature or nurture?
What's for sure is more visits to this lovely country with great precision when it comes to public transport timing, which in my view, makes for wonderful travel, albeit with its fair share of missed connections.
That being said, Japan overall is great for solo travel as it's one of the most safest places in the world even without the flood of streetlights. I felt very safe walking in the dark streets in and around Japan. I actually wonder why I don't have the same feeling walking down a dark street in London during the evenings. Can I attribute it to Japanese nature or nurture?
What's for sure is more visits to this lovely country with great precision when it comes to public transport timing, which in my view, makes for wonderful travel, albeit with its fair share of missed connections.
More info about the Saga International Balloon Fiesta: https://www.japan.travel/en/spot/334/; www.sibf.jp; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saga_International_Balloon_Fiesta, https://www.saga-tripgenius.com/
Until the next time, onto the world and beyond!
Until the next time, onto the world and beyond!
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