Tohoku · FukushimaFestival
Four hundred riders in full samurai armour race for sacred flags on a Fukushima hillside — and since the recent calendar change, they do it in late May.
Overview
Soma Nomaoi (相馬野馬追い) is the most genuinely martial festival in Japan. Around 400 mounted riders take part in full armour, each with a tachi at the waist and a hata-sashimono banner on the back, staged jointly by Soma City and Minamisoma City across three shrines: Soma Nakamura, Soma Ota and Soma Odaka.
Important: the festival was historically held in late July but has moved to late May in recent years to reduce heat risk to horses and riders. Soma City confirms the 2026 dates as 22–25 May. Older guides still listing July are out of date.
When and Where
Dates: 22–25 May 2026, with the core three days running 23–25 May.
Main venue: Hibarigahara Saijochi, Haramachi Ward, Minamisoma City, Fukushima.
- 22 May (Fri): safety prayer rite and the Supreme Commander’s departure banquet at Soma Nakamura Shrine.
- 23 May (Sat): departure rite and inspection at Soma Nakamura Shrine, procession through Soma City, the Supreme Commander welcomed in Kashima Ward, then the eve races at Hibarigahara.
- 24 May (Sun), main day: the armoured procession through Haramachi Ward, then the armoured horse race and the sacred flag contest at Hibarigahara, followed by the return procession.
- 25 May (Mon): Nomakake at Odaka Shrine.
Getting There
Take the JR Joban Line to Haranomachi Station, then about ten minutes by car to Hibarigahara. On the main day, 24 May, a shuttle bus runs from Haranomachi Station and takes around ten minutes. By car, allow about fifteen minutes from Minamisoma IC on the Joban Expressway.
For the other venues: Soma Nakamura Shrine is a twenty-minute walk from Soma Station, Odaka Shrine fifteen minutes from Odaka Station, and Kitago Jinya fifteen minutes from Kashima Station. Free car parks and road-closure maps are published ward by ward.
What to Expect
Three events define the main day. Kacchu Keiba is a horse race run in full samurai armour on the Hibarigahara track. Shinki Sodatsusen, the sacred flag contest, involves shooting flags skyward and having riders race to seize them as they fall — genuinely chaotic, and the reason most people come.
The final day’s Nomakake at Odaka Shrine is quieter but stranger: riders drive unsaddled horses into the shrine precinct, and white-robed o-konin catch them bare-handed to dedicate them to the deity.
Tickets and Admission
The Hibarigahara arena is paid. 2026 prices, tax included: unreserved advance ¥800; unreserved same-day ¥1,000 (sold at four entrances on 24 May); procession seat ¥5,000 including entry; box seat ¥15,000 for a 2 m × 2 m box seating five; reserved chair seat ¥8,000; trackside “sunakaburi” ¥10,000; special photography areas ¥8,000–¥10,000 depending on corner.
Entry is free for junior-high age and under, and for disability-certificate holders plus one carer in unreserved areas, with a dedicated wheelchair-accessible viewing area provided. Advance tickets for 2026 sold out; same-day stock is limited. Sales open in early February.
Tips for Visitors
Buy advance tickets the moment sales open in early February. 2026 advance stock sold out entirely, which capped same-day supply.
Bring a ground sheet and sturdy shoes. The unreserved viewing area is a natural grass slope on Honjin-yama with uneven, stepped terrain.
Leave pets at home. Only guide and hearing dogs are allowed, because the horses spook easily. The site has portable toilets only, with no hand-washing or nursing facilities.
Access and Map
| Dates | 22–25 May 2026 (core days 23–25 May). Moved from late July in recent years. |
|---|---|
| Main day | Sunday 24 May — armoured procession, horse race and sacred flag contest |
| Venue | Hibarigahara Saijochi, Haramachi Ward, Minamisoma City, Fukushima |
| Access | JR Joban Line to Haranomachi Station, approx. 10 min by car or shuttle bus on the main day |
| Admission | Unreserved ¥800 advance / ¥1,000 same day; reserved seats ¥5,000–¥15,000. Free for JHS age and under. |
| Official site | Soma Nomaoi Executive Committee |
Source: Soma Nomaoi Executive Committee official site
Also: Soma City official website
Image: Photo: Hajime NAKANO / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
