Chagu Chagu Umakko 2026: Iwate’s Festival of Bell-Draped Horses

Tohoku · IwateCultural

Around a hundred work horses in ornate bell-covered costumes parade 14 kilometres across the Iwate countryside each June.

Overview

Chagu Chagu Umakko honours Sozen-sama, the guardian deity of horses, and celebrates the deep bond between farmers and their animals in Iwate. Roughly a hundred horses are dressed in brilliantly coloured trappings hung with bells, and the gentle jingling as they walk is so distinctive it appears on Japan’s list of 100 soundscapes to preserve. It is a warm, family-centred procession and a designated intangible folk cultural property.

When & Where

The 2026 festival takes place on June 13, the second Saturday of June. Horses gather at Onikoshi Sozen Shrine in Takizawa around 8:30 in the morning and set off about 9:30, walking roughly 14 kilometres to Morioka Hachimangu Shrine and arriving in the early afternoon. Nearest station for the finish: JR Morioka Station.

Getting There

Morioka is served by the Tohoku Shinkansen, and the procession’s later stages pass through the city, so central Morioka is the easiest place to watch the horses arrive. To see the morning start, head out to Takizawa; local guidance on shuttle and parking arrangements is published each year.

What to Expect

• About 100 horses in ornate, bell-covered costumes
• A roughly 14-kilometre procession from Takizawa to Morioka
• The signature jingling of bells, a protected Japanese soundscape
• Handlers and children in traditional dress
• A tradition rooted in praying to the horse-guardian deity

Tickets & Access

The festival is free to watch from along the route. No ticket is required; simply pick a spot on the parade course.

Access and Map

Source: Iwate Official Travel Guide
Image: Photo: 掬茶 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)