Under the blue sky, the field of lotus flowers spreads out, peaceful and beautiful.
In the Niiyama district of Kasaoka City, Okayama, the Niiyama Renge Festival has been held every year on May 3 since 2022, allowing visitors to freely play in the lotus flower fields.
The 5th Niiyama Renge Festival, scheduled for May 3, 2026 (Sunday), will be held.
Registration for the hot air balloon flight experience will begin at 6 AM for the first time this year. During the day, visitors can enjoy classic car displays, live performances featuring the sanshin, gourmet food, and craft stalls. At night, hot air balloons and sky lanterns will float in the sky.
We spoke with the festival's founder, Tahara Kazuya, and Uneyama Koji, the secretary of the Niiyama Shinyeikai youth group, about the highlights and their thoughts on the festival.
The information provided is based on the article published in April 2026. Please note that it may differ from current information.
What is the 5th Niiyama Renge Festival?
The 5th Niiyama Renge Festival will be held on May 3, 2026 (Sunday).
Registration for the morning session hot air balloon flight experience will begin at 6 AM, followed by the day session from 10 AM until sunset and the night session from 5 PM to 8 PM.
The venue will be the Wishbase parking lot and the surrounding area where the lotus flowers are in bloom.
In the morning session, registration for the hot air balloon flight experience will start at 6 AM. Up to 100 people can board on a first-come, first-served basis. No reservations are accepted, so those who wish to ride the hot air balloon should register early at the venue for this rare experience.
Flight experiences are not available for reservation. Boarding will begin as soon as preparations are complete after registration and payment.
In the day session, there will be a variety of gourmet food and handmade craft stalls. In the morning, there will be a classic car display, and in the afternoon, live performances by Mr. Kakuta with the sanshin and the wandering musician Shiba-chan will also be held.
| Gourmet | Crafts, etc. |
| Niiyama Shokudo Hatomugi Miso Association Narumon Store Rokushima Ham Brewing Global Foods Corporation Smile Cheesecake Teppanyaki Ippommatsu Creative Dining Yu Pasion Okuyama Agricultural Cooperative Village Kousan | STIHL SHOP Sanyo Electric (exhibition of agricultural machinery) Herb & Crafts Popuri Handmade Crafts Temari Wakaishi Ashimomi Tomato-chan's Healthy Ear Acupressure |
In the night session, starting at 7 PM, the "Yoi Akari" will begin, lighting the balloon lights set up in the lotus flower fields. Then, hot air balloons and sky lanterns will float in the night sky.
The must-see competition of hot air balloons and sky lanterns
Hot air balloons will be attempted for the second time this year. I am looking forward to seeing what kind of scenery the competition with the sky lanterns will create in the night sky.
Sky lanterns will be distributed starting at 5 PM and can be purchased for 3,500 yen (tax included) each. You can write your wishes on them and release them, and then take them home.
To reserve sky lanterns, please contact Mr. Tahara at TEL 090-1188-4147.
Viewing is completely free.
Please come and see the fantastic hot air balloons and sky lanterns floating in the night sky with your own eyes!
Access to the Venue
To access the Niiyama Renge Festival venue, there will be a free shuttle service by jumbo taxi from the Koyo Sangyo Co., Ltd. parking lot (approximately 100 parking spaces available).
The free shuttle service from Koyo Sangyo Co., Ltd. parking lot will start at 10 AM.
As you walk from the parking lot, you will see the Ikasa Railroad Museum, which has a steam locomotive on permanent display outdoors, making it a nice spot to stop and take a look.
Additionally, there will be a temporary parking lot near the Renge Festival venue, so please park following the signs.
Thoughts on the Niiyama Renge Festival
The event's founder, Tahara Kazuya, was born and raised in Niiyama.
With the desire to "protect the rural environment of Niiyama," he produces specialty cultivated rice with minimal pesticide use. The lotus flowers in the fields serve as fertilizer for this rice.
Uneyama Koji, the former president of the Niiyama Shinyeikai youth group (now serving as secretary), was drawn to Mr. Tahara's efforts. While learning rice cultivation from Mr. Tahara, they discussed how it would be fun to eat delicious food and listen to music in the lotus flower fields.
Then Mr. Tahara came up with the idea of placing balloon lamps in the lotus flower fields, and together with Uneyama, they held the first Niiyama Renge Festival. The second festival introduced sky lanterns, and the third added classic car displays, gradually scaling up each year. Finally, at the 4th festival held on May 3, 2025, hot air balloons made their debut.
"Actually, I want visitors to not only view the lotus flower fields but also enter the fields and interact with nature," says Mr. Tahara.
"I would be happy if more people became interested in agriculture through the event," adds Uneyama.
In fact, there are people who express their interest in agriculture through the event.
"Agriculture is fun. If anyone is interested, please feel free to reach out," both of them convey their passionate desire to connect the joys of agriculture and the nature of Niiyama to the next generation.
From the Writer
The highlight of this year's event, the hot air balloon flight, was inspired by Mr. Tahara watching hot air balloons on television and thinking, "This is it!" He quickly consulted with the Kasaoka Chamber of Commerce after spotting the words "Chamber of Commerce" in the footage, and it was realized because he is a person who "executes immediately upon thinking."
"Mr. Tahara's proactivity attracts vendors and sponsors," says Uneyama, who plays a key role in sponsor negotiations and local coordination. It is because these two have teamed up that the event continues to grow each year.
"Eventually, we want to line up kitchen cars along the road," they both laugh mischievously. It seems that both the event and agriculture are enjoyable when working with like-minded friends.
During the season when the lotus flowers bloom, they have started an initiative to invite beekeepers and sell honey harvested from the lotus fields of Niiyama. It will also be sold inside Wishbase on the day of the Renge Festival. It will be available until sold out, so those interested should come early.
Why not enjoy the Niiyama Renge Festival while also experiencing nature and agriculture?
Niiyama Renge Festival Information
| Name | Niiyama Renge Festival |
|---|---|
| Date | May 3, 2026 (Sunday) from 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM |
| Location | 1128-5 Yamaguchi, Kasaoka City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Participation Fee (including tax) | Viewing is free. Hot air balloon flight experience is limited to the first 100 people. Experience fee is 3,000 yen (including tax) for adults (junior high school students and above), 1,500 yen (including tax) for elementary school students, and free for preschool children (boarding not allowed for those under 3 years old). (Reservations not accepted. Boarding registration starts at 6:00 AM on the day) For those who want to fly a sky lantern, it can be purchased for 3,500 yen (including tax) each. (Reservation required: TEL 090-1188-4147, contact Mr. Tahara) |
| Homepage | mamawishbase |
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