{"id":72730,"date":"2020-11-25T18:41:55","date_gmt":"2020-11-25T09:41:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/?p=72730"},"modified":"2024-10-17T16:52:11","modified_gmt":"2024-10-17T07:52:11","slug":"horses-in-japan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/horses-in-japan\/","title":{"rendered":"Horses in Japan: From Divine Companions to Cult Objects"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Us <strong>horse lovers<\/strong> all have something in common. Even on vacation in a foreign country, we feel we can&#8217;t survive without sitting high up in the saddle of a horse or at least caressing the soft nostrils of our loyal companions. So then, even in Japan, the question arises: <strong>where can we find<\/strong> <strong>horses in Japan<\/strong>?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large caption-align-left\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/11045933\/Horses_01.jpg\" alt=\"Horses in Japan.\" class=\"wp-image-72733\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/11045933\/Horses_01.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/11045933\/Horses_01-500x333.jpg 500w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/11045933\/Horses_01-900x600.jpg 900w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Horses play an important role in Shintoism, and horse races are very popular in Japan, though horses are still rare in Japan | \u00a9 <a href=\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/author\/mika\/\" rel=\"nofollow\" class=\"ek-link\">Mika Senda<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Although <strong>horses play an important role in Shintoism<\/strong> and horse races are very popular in Japan, horses are rare in Japan. The first indications of <strong>domesticated horses in Japan<\/strong> date back to the 5th century during the Kofun Era (300 to 538 AD). These horses&#8217; origins<strong> can be traced to the Mongolian mainland<\/strong> and entered Japan via the Korean peninsula.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ht-block-toc  is-style-outline htoc htoc--position-wide toc-list-style-plain\" data-htoc-state=\"expanded\"><span class=\"htoc__title\"><span class=\"ht_toc_title\">Table of Contents<\/span><span class=\"htoc__toggle\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"16\" height=\"16\"><g fill=\"#444\"><path d=\"M15 7H1c-.6 0-1 .4-1 1s.4 1 1 1h14c.6 0 1-.4 1-1s-.4-1-1-1z\"><\/path><path d=\"M15 1H1c-.6 0-1 .4-1 1s.4 1 1 1h14c.6 0 1-.4 1-1s-.4-1-1-1zM15 13H1c-.6 0-1 .4-1 1s.4 1 1 1h14c.6 0 1-.4 1-1s-.4-1-1-1z\"><\/path><\/g><\/svg><\/span><\/span><div class=\"htoc__itemswrap\"><ul class=\"ht_toc_list\"><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#htoc-the-divine-horse-in-japan-where-to-find-horses-in-shintoism\">The Divine Horse in Japan: Where to Find Horses in Shintoism<\/a><ul class=\"ht_toc_child_list\"><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#htoc-ema-the-wooden-pictures-of-the-sacred-horses\">Ema: The Wooden Pictures of the Sacred Horses<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#htoc-ao-no-uma-the-white-horse-on-new-years-in-japan\">Ao no Uma: The White Horse on New Years in Japan<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#htoc-where-can-i-find-events-with-horses-in-japan\">Where Can I Find Events with Horses in Japan?<\/a><ul class=\"ht_toc_child_list\"><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#htoc-1-chagu-chagu-umakko-horse-festival-in-morioka-city\">1) Chagu Chagu Umakko Horse Festival in Morioka City<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#htoc-2-the-nikko-toshogu-reitaisai-festival-and-the-1-000-samurai-and-their-horses\">2) The Nikko Toshogu Reitaisai Festival and the 1,000 Samurai and their Horses<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#htoc-3-hachinohe-kiba-dakyu-polo-a-horse-riding-improvement-game\">3) Hachinohe Kiba Dakyu Polo: A Horse Riding Improvement Game<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#htoc-where-can-i-see-horse-racing-in-japan\">Where Can I See Horse Racing in Japan?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#htoc-where-to-go-horse-riding-in-japan\">Where to Go Horse Riding in Japan?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#htoc-discover-your-passion-for-horses-in-japan\">Discover Your Passion for Horses in Japan<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Today, I would like to trace the history of horses in Japan, their religious significance, and the first horse races in the 11th century. Find out where a unique horseback riding experience awaits you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"htoc-the-divine-horse-in-japan-where-to-find-horses-in-shintoism\"><strong>The Divine Horse in Japan: Where to Find Horses in Shintoism<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>From time immemorial, <strong>horses had a special meaning in Shintoism<\/strong>. They are the animals that transport the souls of the deceased back to this world during <a class=\"ek-link ek-link ek-link\" href=\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/japanese-cemeteries-traditions\/\">Obon season<\/a> (\u201csoul horse,\u201d <em>sh\u014dry\u014d-uma<\/em> \u7cbe\u970a\u99ac). Furthermore, the <strong>sun goddess Amaterasu<\/strong> (\u5929\u7167) rides on them, which is why they are also called \u201csacred horse\u201d (<em>shinme, <\/em>\u795e\u99ac) and wooden plaques called <strong>Ema<\/strong> (\u201chorse picture,\u201d \u7d75\u99ac), where you can write your wishes to deities, can be traced back to the animal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large caption-align-left\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/11050213\/Horses_05.jpg\" alt=\"Kanda Myojin in Tokyo, Japan.\" class=\"wp-image-72737\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/11050213\/Horses_05.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/11050213\/Horses_05-500x333.jpg 500w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/11050213\/Horses_05-900x600.jpg 900w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Kanda Myojin Shrine in centre of Tokyo is one of the shrines that has its own pony.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>As you can see, Shintoism and horses as sacred animals and means of transport for the deities, are indispensably interwoven. Typically, horses&#8217; images and statues can be found at Shinto shrines, and in a few exceptions, even the living animals. The best example for a living horse on the grounds of a Shinto shrine is the <strong>Kanda My\u014djin Shrine<\/strong> (\u795e\u7530\u660e\u795e). Located in Tokyo&#8217;s heart, the <strong>sacred pony Akari<\/strong>, who is supposed to transport deities, lives on the shrine grounds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large caption-align-left\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"601\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/11050141\/Horses_04-1024x601.jpg\" alt=\"Pony Akari at Kanda Myojin Shrine in Tokyo, Japan.\" class=\"wp-image-72736\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/11050141\/Horses_04-1024x601.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/11050141\/Horses_04-500x293.jpg 500w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/11050141\/Horses_04.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Pony Akari at Kanda Myojin Shrine.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"htoc-ema-the-wooden-pictures-of-the-sacred-horses\"><strong>Ema: The Wooden Pictures of the Sacred Horses<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Unsurprisingly, to keep a pony or horse at a shrine is not only very difficult, <strong>but it is also quite expensive<\/strong>. For this reason, <strong>the images and statues of horses<\/strong> were found on shrine grounds <strong>in the early times of the Nara era<\/strong> (<em>Nara jidai<\/em>, \u5948\u826f\u6642\u4ee3), from 710 to 794 AD. Around the Kamakura era (<em>Kamakura jidai,<\/em> \u938c\u5009\u6642\u4ee3, 1185-1333), the <strong>Buddhist tradition of wooden plaques called Ema<\/strong> was established.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"766\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"72734\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/11045955\/Horses_02-766x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Horse picture on an Ema, wooden plaque.\" class=\"wp-image-72734\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/11045955\/Horses_02-766x1024.jpg 766w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/11045955\/Horses_02-374x500.jpg 374w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/11045955\/Horses_02-1150x1536.jpg 1150w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/11045955\/Horses_02-1533x2048.jpg 1533w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/11045955\/Horses_02-scaled.jpg 958w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 766px) 100vw, 766px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A horse illustration on an Ema.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"72735\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/11050100\/Horses_03-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Horse statue at a shrine in Japan.\" class=\"wp-image-72735\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/11050100\/Horses_03-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/11050100\/Horses_03-375x500.jpg 375w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/11050100\/Horses_03-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/11050100\/Horses_03-1536x2048.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/11050100\/Horses_03-scaled.jpg 960w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Horse statue at the Mishima Taisha Shrine in Shizuoka.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The Kanji for ema is written on these wood plaques, with<strong> \u201cpicture\u201d<\/strong> \u7d75 (\u2018<em>e<\/em>\u2019) and <strong>\u201chorse\u201d<\/strong> \u99ac (\u2018<em>uma<\/em>\u2019). Nowadays, horses, along with the animals of the Chinese zodiac signs, are depicted on the Ema, and often feature unique motifs that represent the shrine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"htoc-ao-no-uma-the-white-horse-on-new-years-in-japan\"><strong>Ao no Uma: The White Horse on New Years in Japan<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>It goes without saying that horses in Japan are also part of religious events. One of the most famous is the \u201c<strong>Shinto ritual of the White Horse<\/strong>\u201d (<em>ao uma shinji<\/em>, \u767d\u99ac\u795e\u4e8b) at <strong>Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine<\/strong> (\u4f4f\u5409\u5927\u793e) in the <strong>Sumiyoshi district of Osaka<\/strong>. The <em>kanji<\/em> characters imply a <strong>white horse<\/strong> (<em>hakuba<\/em> \u767d\u99ac). However, the characters can also be pronounced as <em>ao<\/em>, meaning blue, and can mean lustrous blue or <strong>black horse<\/strong>. In the belief of Shintoism, a black horse embodies storms and natural disasters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-instagram wp-block-embed-instagram\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\nhttps:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/BrmgbPzl3hR\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Every year on January 7<sup>th<\/sup>, the seventh day of the year, <strong>the sacred horse of Sumiyoshi Taisha visits the main buildings of the shrine<\/strong> before doing its laps on the shrine ground. It is said that those who see a white horse during the New Year celebrations will be spared sickness and receive happiness in the New Year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"htoc-where-can-i-find-events-with-horses-in-japan\">Where Can I Find Events with Horses in Japan?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>You will not only find horses or their images at shrines\u2014the perfect opportunity for horse fans to experience the animals at close range is through the various events that feature the elegant animals. Below you can find a selection of three of the most famous horse-related events that are a must-see for horse lovers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"htoc-1-chagu-chagu-umakko-horse-festival-in-morioka-city\">1) <strong>Chagu Chagu Umakko Horse Festival in Morioka City<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Every second Saturday in June, <strong>100 farmers\u2019 horses <a class=\"ek-link ek-link\" href=\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/morioka-temple-walk\/\">walk the streets of Morioka City<\/a><\/strong>, the administrative center of <a href=\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/tag\/iwate\/\" rel=\"nofollow\" class=\"ek-link\">Iwate Prefecture<\/a>. The horses are dressed in colourful costumes and draped with bells, and head from Onikoshisozen Shrine to <strong>Morioka Hachimangu Shrine<\/strong> &nbsp;(\u76db\u5ca1\u516b\u5e61\u5bae). The name <em><strong><a aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" class=\"ek-link ek-link\" href=\"http:\/\/www.city.morioka.iwate.jp\/kankou\/kankou\/umako\/1007961.html\" target=\"_blank\">Chagu Chagu Umakko<\/a><\/strong><\/em> (\u30c1\u30e3\u30b0\u30c1\u30e3\u30b0\u99ac\u30b3) is derived from the <strong>sound of the clattering hooves on stones<\/strong> (<em>chagu chagu<\/em>, \u30c1\u30e3\u30b0\u30c1\u30e3\u30b0) and the horse\u2019s nickname <em>umakko<\/em> (\u99ac\u30b3).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-instagram wp-block-embed-instagram\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\nhttps:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/CBmB4fNp1Qk\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>This custom came from <strong>the love for horses in Iwate Prefecture<\/strong>, also<strong> known for its horse breeding<\/strong>. About 200 years ago, farmers wanted to give their horses a day off from the rice harvest. So, they brought them to the <strong>Onikoshisozen Shrine, which is dedicated to the deity of horses<\/strong>. The farmers prayed for the health of their animals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"htoc-2-the-nikko-toshogu-reitaisai-festival-and-the-1-000-samurai-and-their-horses\"><strong>2) The Nikko Toshogu Reitaisai Festival and the 1,000 Samurai and their Horses<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Horses were the loyal companions to the samurai. Twice a year in spring and autumn, the <em><strong><a aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\" class=\"ek-link ek-link\" href=\"http:\/\/www.nikko-kankou.org\/event\/27\/\" target=\"_blank\">Nikko Toshogu Reitaisai Festival<\/a><\/strong><\/em> (\u65e5\u5149\u6771\u7167\u5bae\u4f8b\u5927\u796d) of Nikko of <a class=\"ek-link ek-link\" href=\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/tag\/tochigi\/\">Tochigi Prefecture<\/a> shows a reenactment of a procession from the Edo period (1603 \u2013 1868) and held in honour of the daimy\u014d (feudal lord) that once held domain here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe title=\"\u5bb6\u5eb7\u56db\u767e\u56de\u5fcc\u3001\u88c5\u675f\u65b0\u8abf\u3000\u65e5\u5149\u6771\u7167\u5bae\u3067\u5343\u4eba\u6b66\u8005\u884c\u5217\" width=\"1080\" height=\"608\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/Mjvm1X9QZTk?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The highlight of this festival is the <strong>procession of 1,000 samurai<\/strong>, also called <em>Hyakumono-zoroi Sennin Musha Gyoretsu<\/em> (\u767e\u7269\u63c3\u5343\u4eba\u6b66\u8005\u884c\u5217). This procession&#8217;s origin is related to Tokugawa Ieyasu, the first shogun of Edo period Japan, and his death. It was believed that his soul became a deity, and since then, hundreds of people walk the procession to accompany Tokugawa\u2019s soul to the <a class=\"ek-link ek-link\" href=\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/nikko-toshogu-shrine-tokugawa\/\">Toshogu Shrine<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped caption-align-left wp-block-gallery-2 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" data-id=\"72744\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/11050655\/Horses_12-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"Torii gate at Nikko Toshogu Shrine.\" class=\"wp-image-72744\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/11050655\/Horses_12-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/11050655\/Horses_12-500x375.jpg 500w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/11050655\/Horses_12-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/11050655\/Horses_12-2048x1536.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/11050655\/Horses_12-scaled.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"72745\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/11050733\/Horses_13-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Monument at Nikko Toshogu Shrine in Tochigi prefecture.\" class=\"wp-image-72745\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/11050733\/Horses_13-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/11050733\/Horses_13-375x500.jpg 375w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/11050733\/Horses_13-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/11050733\/Horses_13-1536x2048.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/11050733\/Horses_13-scaled.jpg 960w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/figure>\n<figcaption class=\"blocks-gallery-caption wp-element-caption\">Every year in May and October the procession of 1,000 samurai takes place at the Nikko Toshogu Shrine.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>As part of the samurai culture, <em><strong>Yabusame-Shinji <\/strong><\/em>(\u6d41\u93d1\u99ac\u795e\u4e8b), <strong>archery from horseback<\/strong>, is also practiced during this festival.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe title=\"\u8475\u796d\u300c\u6d41\u93d1\u99ac\u795e\u4e8b\u300d\" width=\"1080\" height=\"608\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/-7vs-ZuIViY?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"htoc-3-hachinohe-kiba-dakyu-polo-a-horse-riding-improvement-game\">3) <strong>Hachinohe Kiba Dakyu Polo: A Horse Riding Improvement Game<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Horses in Japan are not only regarded as sacred animals or served as companions for the samurai. <strong>They are also used in sport<\/strong>, such as <strong>Japanese polo<\/strong> (played on horseback between two teams who use mallets to drive a ball into a goal), called <em><strong>Kiba Dakyu<\/strong><\/em> (\u9a0e\u99ac\u6253\u6bec). <strong><em>Kiba Dakyu Polo<\/em> developed around 1827<\/strong> when the daimy\u014d Nobumasa Nanbu wanted <strong>to improve the horse riding skills of his army<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-instagram wp-block-embed-instagram\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\nhttps:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/B4Mm9eAnriv\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>You can attend a <em>Kiba Dakyu Polo<\/em> game during the <strong><a aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\" class=\"ek-link ek-link ek-link\" href=\"https:\/\/visithachinohe.com\/stories\/sannshataisai_schedule\/\" target=\"_blank\">Hachinohe Sansha Taisai Festival<\/a><\/strong> (\u516b\u6238\u4e09\u793e\u5927\u796d) in April in Hachinohe City in <a class=\"ek-link ek-link\" href=\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/tag\/aomori\/\">Aomori Prefecture<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"htoc-where-can-i-see-horse-racing-in-japan\">Where Can I See <strong>Horse Racing in Japan<\/strong>?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Do you know about a \u201csecret\u201d passion many Japanese people have? No? Then it is now time to tell you: <strong>Every year, up to 18,000 horse races, including smaller races, take place on more than 20 racetracks in Japan<\/strong> \u2013&nbsp;a turnover not exceeded by any other country in this world. To make a long story short: <strong>horse racing is one of the most popular sports<\/strong> in the land of the rising sun.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large caption-align-left\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/11050244\/Horses_06-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"Horses in Japan at racetrack in Fuchu, Tokyo.\" class=\"wp-image-72738\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/11050244\/Horses_06-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/11050244\/Horses_06-500x281.jpg 500w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/11050244\/Horses_06-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/11050244\/Horses_06.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Horseback riding at the Fuchu Racetrack, Tokyo. Here the 14-year-old gelding \u201c<em>Nekopunch<\/em>\u201d.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>It is said that modern-day horse races in Japan have their <strong>origins in the <em>Kamo Kurabeuma<\/em><\/strong> (\u8cc0\u8302\u7af6\u99ac), a ritual that takes place<strong> annually at the <a aria-label=\"Kamigamo Shrine (opens in a new tab)\" class=\"ek-link ek-link ek-link\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.kamigamojinja.jp\/english\/#Eng08\" target=\"_blank\">Kamigamo Shrine<\/a><\/strong> (<em>Kamigamo jinja<\/em> \u4e0a\u8cc0\u8302\u795e\u793e) in northern Kyoto. The first took place in 1093 and included two horses who raced each other with one at a decided length ahead of the other. The winner is decided based on whether the distance between the two horses became longer or shorter at the end of the race.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-instagram wp-block-embed-instagram\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\nhttps:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/BxGI0_gA_tY\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>If you want to see this traditional horse race with your own eyes,<strong> May 5<sup>th<\/sup><\/strong> <strong>is when the race traditionally takes place at the Kamigamo Shrine in Kyoto. <\/strong>The event is divided into three parts: a morning ritual, followed by prayers for the safety and success of the riders before the race finally takes place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"htoc-where-to-go-horse-riding-in-japan\"><strong>Where to Go Horse Riding in Japan?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>I don\u2019t want to keep you on tenterhooks for any longer: here&#8217;s <strong>where you can go horse riding in Japan<\/strong>. Keeping horses in Japan is very expensive, so the prices for horse riding tours can be very high. Some cheaper or free options include guided pony rides on small farms or riding clubs, such as the Tokyo Riding Club in Shibuya (only for children) or on the racecourse in Fuchu that typically include a one to two-laps guided ride.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped caption-align-left wp-block-gallery-3 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"72740\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/11050359\/Horses_08-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Becoming friends with horses in Japan.\" class=\"wp-image-72740\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/11050359\/Horses_08-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/11050359\/Horses_08-375x500.jpg 375w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/11050359\/Horses_08-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/11050359\/Horses_08-1536x2048.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/11050359\/Horses_08-scaled.jpg 960w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"72742\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/11050534\/Horses_10-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Cuddling with horses in Japan.\" class=\"wp-image-72742\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/11050534\/Horses_10-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/11050534\/Horses_10-375x500.jpg 375w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/11050534\/Horses_10-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/11050534\/Horses_10-1536x2048.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/11050534\/Horses_10-scaled.jpg 960w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/figure>\n<figcaption class=\"blocks-gallery-caption wp-element-caption\">Horse riding in Japan can be expensive, though there are a few cheaper and free options which include a brief guided lap. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Of course, there are also real opportunities for horse riding in Japan. Whether in the<strong> <a class=\"ek-link ek-link\" href=\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/outdoor-adventure-aso-kumamoto\/\">Aso volcanic region in Kumamoto<\/a> Prefecture on Kyushu<\/strong>, in <strong>southern Chiba in Tateyama City<\/strong> or on <strong>Miura Kaigan Beach in Kanagawa Prefecture<\/strong>, there are many options you can find with a quick Google search. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large caption-align-left\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/11050320\/Horses_07.jpg\" alt=\"Horse riding in Kumamoto prefecture.\" class=\"wp-image-72739\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/11050320\/Horses_07.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/11050320\/Horses_07-500x333.jpg 500w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/11050320\/Horses_07-900x600.jpg 900w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Some horseback riding opportunities allow you to experience some of Japan&#8217;s spectacular sceneries, such as horseback riding at <a aria-label=\"El Patio Ranch (opens in a new tab)\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\" class=\"ek-link ek-link\" href=\"http:\/\/epr-r.com\/\" target=\"_blank\">El Patio Ranch<\/a> in the Aso region of Kumamoto. |  \u00a9 <a class=\"ek-link ek-link\" href=\"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/author\/mika\/\">Mika Senda<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Whether you are going for a ride on the beach, through the mountains or with a companion, the prices can vary greatly. <strong>Costs from 15,000 to 23,000 Yen (approx. 142 USD to 220 USD) are not uncommon. <\/strong>And don\u2019t worry if you&#8217;ve never ridden a horse before. <strong>Most of the options are tailored to inexperienced riders or those with no prior experience.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<iframe src=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/maps\/d\/embed?mid=1LtBtC11wegG9kCrZp7ZZwjePtD8mN58K&amp;hl=en\" width=\"800\" height=\"480\"><\/iframe>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"htoc-discover-your-passion-for-horses-in-japan\"><strong>Discover Your Passion for Horses in Japan<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-4 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"72741\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/11050436\/Horses_09-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Horse riding on the streets in Miura Kaigan.\" class=\"wp-image-72741\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/11050436\/Horses_09-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/11050436\/Horses_09-375x500.jpg 375w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/11050436\/Horses_09-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/11050436\/Horses_09-1536x2048.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/11050436\/Horses_09-scaled.jpg 960w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"720\" height=\"960\" data-id=\"72743\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/11050610\/Horses_11.jpg\" alt=\"Horse riding in Miura Kaigan, Japan.\" class=\"wp-image-72743\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/11050610\/Horses_11.jpg 720w, https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/11050610\/Horses_11-375x500.jpg 375w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Whether it&#8217;s a horse as a religious cult object, featured in an event as a faithful companion of the samurai, or you&#8217;re looking for a ride through the fascinating landscape of Japan: <strong>You will encounter horses in Japan more often than you&#8217;d think.<\/strong> No matter which variant you choose, for us horse lovers, it is clear <strong>that every horse is divine, isn&#8217;t it?<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Us horse lovers all have something in common. Even on vacation in a foreign country, we feel we can&#8217;t survive&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":110,"featured_media":72734,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"pgc_meta":"","_editorskit_title_hidden":false,"_editorskit_reading_time":7,"_editorskit_is_block_options_detached":false,"_editorskit_block_options_position":"{}","footnotes":""},"categories":[24,26,2051],"tags":[1345,1235,2078,1237,2055,2057,1333,1809,1306,2076,1244],"class_list":{"0":"post-72730","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-activities","8":"category-culture","9":"category-events","10":"tag-animal","11":"tag-aomori","12":"tag-autumn-festival","13":"tag-iwate","14":"tag-kyoto-city","15":"tag-osaka-city","16":"tag-outdoors","17":"tag-religion","18":"tag-shrine","19":"tag-spring-festival","20":"tag-tochigi"},"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site 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Tanaka","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/11124307\/Yvonne.jpeg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/s3.voyapon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/11124307\/Yvonne.jpeg","caption":"Yvonne Tanaka"},"description":"I'm a German girl from Berlin, who found her second home in Japan. Since 2012, I travelled at least once a year to Japan, before I moved to Tokyo in 2017 as an exchange student. After just a few months back in Germany, I ended up in Tokyo again in 2019 - ready for telling you more about this amazing and traditional country! :)","sameAs":["https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/yve_chan\/"],"url":"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/author\/yvonne\/"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/72730"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/110"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=72730"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/72730\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/72734"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=72730"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=72730"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=72730"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}