Soma Nomaoi Festival 2025

Event date:
May 24, 2025 at 12:31 am
Event end:
May 26, 2025 at 12:31 am

The Soma Nomaoi Festival is one of Japan’s most thrilling and historic festivals, known for its dramatic reenactments of traditional military horseback riding. Originating over 1,000 years ago in the Minamisoma region, the festival celebrates the Soma clan’s ancient practices, such as the release and capture of wild horses for military training. Today, it is a vibrant event filled with parades, horse races, and unique rituals that transport visitors back to Japan’s Sengoku period (Warring States period).

Event Overview

Dates: May 24–26, 2025
Location: Hibarigahara Festival Grounds, Minamisoma City, Fukushima Prefecture

The festival retains its roots in military training exercises, with participants wearing traditional samurai armor and reenacting events from the past. The centerpiece of the festival includes an armored horse race, a flag-catching competition, and a thrilling wild horse chase known as the Nomakake.

Highlights

Parade: On May 25, 2025, enjoy a grand parade featuring 400 warriors on horseback, displaying the elegance and power of the samurai tradition as they make their way from Ogawa Bridge to the Hibarigahara Festival Grounds.
Armored Horse Race: The iconic race at Hibarigahara Festival Grounds showcases riders in traditional armor, racing across a track in an exhilarating spectacle.
Sacred Flag Competition: This unique competition involves horse riders attempting to capture flags, embodying the military prowess of the Sengoku era.
Fire Festival: On the evening of May 25, a fiery spectacle unfolds along the Maekawa River, marking the closing of the main festival day.
Wild Horse Capture Ceremony: On May 26, the festival culminates with a traditional ceremony where wild horses are captured and revered at a shrine.

Festival Schedule (2025)

May 24 (Saturday)

8:35–12:00: Departure ceremony at various wards (Namie, Sōma, Odaka, Kashima, Haramachi)
13:00–14:00: Arrival at Hibarigahara Festival Grounds
14:00: Pre-event races at Hibarigahara Festival Grounds
17:30: Troop member meeting at Asahi Park

May 25 (Sunday)

4:00: Dedication ceremony to the three Soma Myoken Portable Shrines
9:30–11:00: Parade from Ogawa Bridge to Hibarigahara Festival Grounds
12:00–13:00: Armored Horse Race at Hibarigahara Festival Grounds
13:00: Sacred Flag Competition at Hibarigahara Festival Grounds
19:30: Fire Festival around the banks of Maekawa River

May 26 (Monday)

9:00–12:00: Traditional dance, wild horse capture, and dedication to shrine ceremonies

Ticket Information

Online Sales: From February 1, 2025
Ticket Counter Sales: From 9:00 AM on February 3, 2025 (Cash only)
Ticket Prices (Tax Included):
Unreserved Seating (Advance Sale): ¥800
- Hibarigahara Festival Grounds (Honjinyama)
- Limited availability, purchase early.
Unreserved Seating (Same Day): ¥1,000
- Available at entrances on May 25 (subject to availability).
Procession Seating: ¥5,000
- Seats along the road outside Hibarigahara Festival Grounds. Includes unreserved seating inside after the procession.
Mass Seat (Special): ¥18,000 (5 tickets)
- Reserved seating on the slope of Honjinyama.
Mass Seat: ¥15,000 (5 tickets)
- Reserved seating on the slope of Honjinyama.
Special Seats: ¥8,000
- Front row chair seating at Honjinyama.
Sand Covered Seat: ¥10,000
- Chair seating near the racecourse.
Special Photo Area (Inside Riding Ring): ¥10,000
- Access to horse riding grounds for photography. Lottery-based sale.
Special Photo Area (First Corner): ¥10,000
- Photography during “Shinki Sodatsusen” race. Lottery-based sale.
Special Photo Area (Second Corner): ¥8,000
- Photography during “Shinki Sodatsusen” race. Lottery-based sale.
Special Photo Area (Third Corner): ¥8,000

Access

By Public Transport: Take the JR Joban Line to Haranomachi Station. From there, you can either take a free shuttle bus or walk to the festival grounds (approximately 30 minutes).
By Car: Ample parking available for approximately 3,000 vehicles.

Visitor Information

Outside of the festival period, visitors to Minamisoma City can explore the rich history of the Soma Nomaoi Festival at the Minamisoma City Museum, which details the evolution of the festival and its significance in Japanese culture.

The Soma Nomaoi Festival offers a fascinating glimpse into Japan’s martial history and traditions, making it a must-visit event for those seeking a unique and exhilarating experience in Fukushima Prefecture.Experience the Soma Nomaoi Festival from May 24–26, 2025, in Minamisoma, Fukushima Prefecture. Witness over 400 participants reenacting samurai battles on horseback, showcasing Japan’s rich cultural heritage.