Traditional Samurai Horse Race Draws Huge Crowds in Fukushima

May 25, 2025 | News On Japan

FUKUSHIMA, May 25, 2025 (News On Japan) - The second day of the Soma Nomaoi festival—designated as an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property by the Japanese government—featured its most anticipated spectacles: the armored horse race and the sacred flag competition, held on May 25th at the Hibarigahara festival grounds in Minamisoma, Fukushima Prefecture.

These events electrified a crowd of about 35,000 spectators.

This year marked a historic change as the festival eliminated the traditional requirement that female participants be "under 20 and unmarried" in line with gender equality efforts. As a result, female mounted warriors also participated actively, captivating the audience alongside their male counterparts.

Source: Kyodo

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