The international hot-air balloon competition "Saga International Balloon Fiesta", which was canceled last year due to the influence of the new coronavirus, has started in Saga City for the first time in two years.

On the 4th of the first day, more than 50 hot-air balloons participated in the "Pacific Cup".



When the players took off the hot-air balloon from the rice fields in Ogi City, they predicted the direction of the wind and manipulated the balloon skillfully, aiming for the Kasegawa riverbed in Saga City, a few kilometers away.



When the players approached the target set on the "x", they threw a weight called a "marker" from the sky and competed for the distance to the center of the mark.



Every year, about 110 aircraft from all over the world participate in the tournament, which is held for 5 days, but due to infection control measures, only domestic athletes will participate and the period will be shortened to 3 days.



In addition, the main venue, the Kasegawa Riverbed, does not hold any events and is "no audience".



A male pilot who participated said, "I miss the number of people at the goal point than usual, but when I was flying, I waved my hand. I hope many people will enjoy it in three days."



The tournament will be held until the 6th.