Nagai City Balloon Festival and Shirato River Canola Flowers

Nagai City Spring and Hot Air Balloons

Nagai, Yamagata, is an agricultural city through which the Shirato River (a tributary of the Mogami River) flows. Hot air balloon events held in spring (around May) create spectacular scenery contrasting canola flower fields with colorful balloons in the sky.

Highlights

• Canola Flowers and Hot Air Balloons: Balloon ascents during the canola flower season around May
• Ayame Park: Nagai's symbol — about 200 varieties of Japanese iris bloom June–July
• Nagai Shiroto Festival (Shiroto River Cherry Blossoms): April cherry blossom site
• Shiroto Riverside Walks: Strolling through pastoral farming scenery

Ayame Park

• Best Viewing: Mid-June to early July
• Scale: Approximately 200 varieties and 500,000 Japanese irises
• Ayame Festival: Nagai Ayame Festival held during the bloom period

Getting There

• Alight at JR Yonesaka Line Nagai Station (about 1 hour from Yamagata via Flower Nagai Line)
• About 5 minutes by car from Tohoku Chuo Expressway Nagai IC

Tips

Ayame Park is one of Eastern Japan's finest Japanese iris sites. Flowers blooming in rainy season rain are also atmospheric. Arriving by the charming local "Flower Nagai Line" is also recommended.