 |
 |
| This balloon's gondola is 6 meters in diameter and shaped so passengers can move around freely. |
SASEBO, Nagasaki Pref. -- Not many people have experienced the sensation of floating 120 meters above ground in the gondola of a balloon, but that is exactly what Huis Ten Bosch, a Dutch theme park stretched out along the shores of scenic Ohmura Bay in western Kyushu, is now offering visitors.
The park's latest attraction, called "Luchty" (after the Dutch word lucht, meaning "sky"), lifted off for the first time last weekend, rising slowly and silently into the air.
Designed by Danish graphic designer Bo Ben Dixen, the 22-meter-diameter yellow balloon is decorated with pictures of dolphins, butterflies and birds. It can carry up to 30 people to a maximum altitude of 120 meters, the highest of any balloon in Japan, and was manufactured using cutting-edge technology from Germany, France and Britain. Balloons in those countries were once used as a means of transportation in hilly areas and are still enjoyed today as a sport.
Before the balloon's debut, theme-park staffers went to France for a 20-day training program to master operation and safety measures.
In order to meet park safety standards, Luchty, which can carry 4 tons, is anchored to the ground with a wire, and winched down at the end of the ride.
The balloon moves at a speed of 1 meter per second, reaching its peak altitude within about two minutes. The ride takes about 15 minutes in total and costs 1,000 yen for adults, 800 yen for those aged 12-17 and 500 yen for children aged 4-11. It operates from 10 a.m. until sunset.
As well as a bird's-eye view of Huis Ten Bosch, Ohmura Bay and Mount Unzen can also been seen in the distance, along with the colorful sight of cherry trees in bloom.