Travel Sakai imperial kofun balloon tours

The Daisen kofun imperial tomb in Sakai has already been mentioned several times in the thread dedicated to Japanese history and archaeology. Now, a company is going to start balloon rides over the imperial tomb of Sakai:

Starting on 4 October, visitors will be able to enjoy hot-air balloon rides over the cluster of ancient kofun burial mounds in Sakai, a UNESCO World Heritage site, municipal officials announced. The roughly ten-minute flights will lift passengers about 100 metres into the air, offering sweeping views of the area. The city hopes the new attraction will draw many tourists.


The balloon will remain secured by cables, allowing it to be raised and lowered safely with mechanical equipment. The service, based in Daisen Park in Sakai Ward, will run year-round between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. It will be operated by Advance Co., an outdoor facilities management firm headquartered in Toyooka, Hyogo Prefecture. Sakai is home to 23 of the tombs that make up the Mozu-Furuichi Kofun Group, including the massive 486-metre-long, keyhole-shaped Daisen Kofun, believed to be the burial site of fifth-century Emperor Nintoku.

The service will undergo a one-year verification period to assess the impact on the kofun group. If no issues arise, it will continue for an additional six years. The standard fare is 4,200 yen ($28.30) for adults and 3,000 yen for children under 16. Tickets purchased online will be offered at a 200-yen discount. Sakai residents will be eligible for tickets discounted to 3,200 yen for adults and 2,200 yen for children. Non-residents with disabilities will pay 3,600 yen and 2,500 yen, respectively.

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Tickets will go on sale on 1 October via the Advance's website or at the balloon launch site. It's quite affordable:

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A long-planned project offering balloon rides over the ancient imperial burial mounds was set to launch on 4 October, but unfavourable weather forced a postponement. On the previous day, journalists and Sakai city officials were given a preview flight above the Mozu-Furuichi Kofun Group, a collection of fifth-century burial mounds recognised as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site. Among those who joined the trial ascent were Sakai Mayor Hideki Nagafuji and Osaka Governor Hirofumi Yoshimura. The tethered balloon, secured by cables at Daisen Park, can accommodate up to 30 passengers and rose to a height of 113 metres, offering views over the kofun landscape.

Rising to about 100 meters above ground, riders will be able to see the Daisen Kofun, also known as the mausoleum of Emperor Nintoku, along with other ancient burial mounds. Each flight lasts around 15 minutes, and the city expects about 60,000 visitors annually. The balloons will operate year-round, though flights may be canceled depending on weather conditions. Fares are set at 4,200 yen for adults and 3,000 yen for children, with Sakai residents receiving a 1,000 yen discount. The initiative is intended to highlight the appeal of Osaka beyond the 2025 Expo, drawing more attention to the city's cultural heritage.

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Here's another video of the balloon tour: the aerial views of the World Heritage-listed Daisen Kofun in Sakai, Osaka Prefecture, have drawn more than 7,000 visitors within its first month of operation. At the rate things are going, the annual number of passengers would likely exceed the initial goal of 60,000. People in Sakai City, which runs the attraction, were said to be considering keeping it open later in the day to draw in a larger crowd.