Armoured riders take part in processions and horseback contests at Soma Nomaoi. Choose your day according to whether you want the street procession or the races and sacred-flag contest.
Soma Nomaoi dates
May 23–25, 2026; next edition not confirmed here
Past recorded edition
Dates and times use JST. The recorded dates apply only to the stated edition. Read the organiser’s programme for start times, tickets, postponements and cancellations.
Where to watch
Minamisoma · 南相馬
Hibarigahara festival grounds in Minamisoma, with separate shrine events
雲雀ヶ原祭場地
The main riding events take place at Hibarigahara Festival Ground in Haramachi, Minamisoma. Departure rites occur at participating shrines; the Nomakake horse-catching rite is at Odaka Shrine.
The directions below use one representative location, not every venue entrance or the complete procession route. Use the official venue map for your ticket or programme.
Getting there by train or bus
Take a Joban Line limited express from Tokyo to Haranomachi. Consult the edition’s shuttle and transport instructions for Hibarigahara; events in Soma and Minamisoma are spread across different places.
Planning your visit
Use the race programme to choose your visit date. Keep riding routes clear and stay in designated viewing areas rather than approaching horses for photographs.
This is an editorial travel suggestion, not a claim of a personal visit or a guarantee of the programme. When travelling from Canada, use your Japan arrival date to select the festival day.
What to look for
- Armored riders
- Horse races
- Sacred-flag competition
History and traditions
Tradition traces the festival to military training associated with Taira no Masakado, preserved through local shrine rites.
Photo: PekePON · CC BY-SA 3.0. Original or supplied reduced image; no additional edits. See the original file for its date and context.
Nearby places to consider
Minamisoma City Museum · 南相馬市博物館
Armor, festival equipment and displays about Soma Nomaoi.
Fit a museum visit around the riding events; a separate day may give you more time.
The description and suggested visit refer to the first attraction listed. Other links are separate nearby options; festival traffic and opening hours may affect your plans.
Soma Nomaoi questions
When is Soma Nomaoi?
May 23–25, 2026; next edition not confirmed here. These dates belong only to the stated edition; they do not confirm a later year.
How do I reach Soma Nomaoi by public transport?
Take a Joban Line limited express from Tokyo to Haranomachi. Consult the edition’s shuttle and transport instructions for Hibarigahara; events in Soma and Minamisoma are spread across different places.
Is the whole festival in Soma city?
No. Events take place in Soma and Minamisoma. The main Hibarigahara contests are in Minamisoma, approached via Haranomachi Station.
Official programme and sources
- Official reference · www.city.soma.fukushima.jp ↗
- Official reference · www.japan.travel ↗
- Official reference · www.city.minamisoma.lg.jp ↗
Shared source records reviewed October 3, 2026. Some official pages are in Japanese. JapanLiveNow’s English guide is independently edited; the organiser’s latest announcement takes precedence.