Kumamoto welcomes autumn with a raucous festival of murky origins. Originally called the Boshita Festival (though the name was later retired due to alleged anti-Korean connotations), the five-day celebration culminates in an uma-oi, an equestrian event where groups of followers "chase" their respective steeds through the streets, dancing, drumming and blowing trumpets. The parade kicks off on the precincts of Fujisaki Hachiman Shrine at 6am, with ceremonies and costumed samurai but latecomers can catch the horse-chasing excitement anywhere along the parade route through the Kamitori and Shimotori arcades. (Fear not - all horses are carefully controlled.)
- 1 min read
Fujisaki Hachimangu Grand Festival
Horse-chasing through the Kumamoto streets
By Mandy Bartok
Community writer
Explore nearby
Leave a comment
0 comments in total
Book your trip
Find a nearby hotel
Find and book quality accommodations for your next trip to Japan.
Top Articles
-
1
Yuranza
Culture - Sponsored -
2
Haneda Airport Ranked World's Cleanest
Transportation -
3
Valley of Witches: a New Ghibli Park Attraction
Aichi -
4
Kurobe Unazuki Canyon Route to Link with Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route
News -
5
Sapporo Beer Opens New Brewery in Tokyo’s Ebisu
News -
6
Mount Omuro
Shizuoka -
7
Guide to Golden Week
Planning -
8
Tokyo Takes 2nd Place on Top Coffee Cities List
Food -
9
Tokyo One of the World's Most Walkable Cities
Transportation -
10
2024 Grand Sumo Tournaments
Culture
-
1
Guide to Bringing Medicines Into Japan
Planning -
2
Your Name: Real-Life Locations in Tokyo
Tokyo -
3
Hachiko Statue in Shibuya
Tokyo -
4
Iwatayama Monkey Park
Kyoto -
5
Shibuya Crossing
Tokyo -
6
Daikoku Car Meet
Kanagawa -
7
Kanamara Penis Festival
Kanagawa -
8
Guide to Suica Cards
Transportation -
9
Guide to PASMO Cards
Guide -
10
Japanese Urban Legends
Culture