Kamihinokinai Paper Balloon Festival 2026

【schedule】

Tuesday, February 10, 2020

[Event details]

Akita Nairiku Jukan Railway Operation Information

[Updated 2/6] We have been carrying out snow removal work with the goal of resuming service in time for the “Kamihinokinai Paper Balloon Raising” on February 10th, but as of today, progress has been made on only about 20% of the blocked sections, and it is now unlikely that service will be able to resume. We sincerely apologize to everyone who has been waiting for service to resume and to everyone who had planned to use the service. Furthermore, there is currently no forecast as to when service will resume between Aniai and Kakunodate. We would like to offer our apologies once again.

• Akita Inland Railway Site

Important information regarding traffic conditions during the “Kamihinokinai Paper Balloon Festival”

• There is no prospect of the inland line being restored.


• National Route 105, the only major road from Kakunodate and Ani, is likely to experience traffic jams stretching for several kilometers, with travel times several times longer than usual.


• On the day, traffic information etc. will be posted on X ( https://twitter.com/semboku_tourism ). As the safety of the local area and securing routes for emergency vehicles etc. are our top priority, we ask for your understanding and patience in your actions.

While there are no written records of this event, legend has it that Hiraga Gennai, a scientist from the Edo period, introduced it as a pastime based on the principles of hot air balloons while visiting a copper mine to provide technical guidance. This annual event involves over 50 giant, lit paper balloons decorated with images of warriors and beautiful women, each carrying a wish for the year, such as “good health,” “a bountiful harvest,” and “safe family life,” floating like twinkling stars in the midwinter night sky. This year’s paper balloon launch will also include paper balloons on which volunteers who have worked in areas affected by heavy rains since August 19th have personally written their wishes for recovery. These paper balloons will be launched at 7:00 PM. The largest paper balloons, some reaching up to 8 meters in height, will be launched into the night sky. The simultaneous launch is scheduled for 6:00 PM, with the final launch at 8:00 PM. As for stalls, Miyata Village will be setting up, as well as stalls and food trucks from the Chamber of Commerce and local shops. Parking is limited to approximately 370 cars, so please use the Akita Inland Line if possible. Additionally, the Paper Balloon Museum, adjacent to the venue, is undergoing restoration and renovation following the heavy rain disaster, so the heating equipment is currently unavailable and some areas of the building are off-limits. Approximately 50 paper balloons will light up the winter night sky as a symbol of the region’s recovery. Please dress warmly.

●Venue

Nishikimachi Paper Balloon Square (7-minute walk from Kami-Hinokiuchi Station on the Akita Nairiku Line) Parking and Public Transportation Information: Akita Nairiku Jukan Railway Operation Information: We have been carrying out snow removal work with the goal of resuming service by the “Kami-Hinokiuchi Paper Balloon Raising” event on February 10th. However, as of today, only about 20% of the closed sections have been cleared, and we do not expect service to resume. We sincerely apologize to everyone who has been waiting for service to resume and to those who had planned to use the line. Furthermore, we are currently unable to predict the expected date for the resumption of service between Aniai and Kakunodate. We apologize again. *For operational information, please check the Akita Nairiku Jukan Railway website below. Akita Nairiku Jukan Railway Website : While parking capacity for general vehicles is approximately 370 cars, this number may decrease due to weather or snowfall. Parking spaces are limited, and significant traffic congestion is expected due to the suspension of the Akita Nairiku Jukan Railway (between Aniai and Kakunodate). From Aniai: [Outbound] Departs Aniai Station at 1:43 PM, arrives Kamihikinai Station at 2:36 PM [Return] Departs Kamihikinai Station at 8:35 PM, arrives Aniai Station at 9:33 PM From Kakunodate: [Outbound] Departs Kakunodate Station at 1:58 PM, arrives Kamihikinai Station at 2:36 PM [Return] Departs Kamihikinai Station at 8:30 PM, arrives Kakunodate Station at 9:03 PM For other timetables, please refer to the timetable listed in the Kamihikinai Paper Balloon Flyer (PDF: 1.1 MB) .

Click here for the 2026 Paper Balloon Festival parking lot location map

*Advance parking reservations are no longer available for bus operators on group tours, and for those traveling in medium-sized or large camper vans.

●Program for the day

15:00 Venue opens 15:30 Hometown performing arts performance 16:40 Daytime balloon launch 18:00 All-out launch 19:00 Wish-writing paper balloon launch 20:00 Final launch On the day, stalls and food trucks will be set up. [Kamihinokinai Paper Balloon Launch 2026 Flyer Front and Back]

Akita Prefecture Southern Winter Festival Stamp Rally 2026

We will be holding the “Akita Prefecture Southern Winter Festival Stamp Rally 2026,” which will take you around seven winter festivals in the southern region of Akita Prefecture (Daisen City, Semboku City, Misato Town, Yokote City, and Yuzawa City). If you collect two or more stamps and apply, you will be entered into a lottery to win local specialties from the southern region of Akita Prefecture. In Semboku City, the stamps include the paper balloon launch at Kamihinokinai on February 10th and the Hifuri Kamakura festival in Kakunodate on February 14th. Please come and join us! Akita Prefecture Southern Winter Festival Stamp Rally 2026 (website under preparation)

[Contact Information]

Nishiki Tourist Information Center: Tel: 0187-42-8480 (for inquiries on February 10th) Kamihinokinai Branch Office: Tel: 0187-49-2159

[Download link]

“Kamihikinai Paper Balloon Raising 2026” flyer (PDF: 1.1MB) “Akita Prefecture Southern Stamp Rally 2026” flyer (PDF: 1.4MB) Nishiki Area: Kamihikinai Paper Balloon Raising Akita Nairiku Jukan Railway Co., Ltd.