Nakamura Hachimangu Grand Festival (Yabusame)

About this event

On Sunday, September 20, 2026 (Reiwa 8), the Nakamura Hachimangu Grand Festival will be held, featuring the traditional "Yabusame" (horseback archery). Nakamura Hachimangu's Yabusame is a "Triumphal Yabusame" where horses run along Baba-dori toward the shrine grounds; archers clad in haori gallop down the approach at the signal of taiko drums and shoot arrows at targets from horseback. The sight is full of dynamic power, and the skill of rider and horse moving as one is well worth seeing. On the day, events such as a battodo (swordsmanship) tournament, dedication of Daitai Kagura sacred dances, and a mikoshi (portable shrine) procession will also take place. In conjunction with the grand festival, round-trip shuttle buses connecting sightseeing facilities and the event venue will operate. The battodo tournament and sacred horse approach march will start at 10:00, the grand festival ritual at 11:00, Yabusame at 12:00, Daitai Kagura at 13:00, and the mikoshi procession and festival music (ohayashi) at 13:30. The event will proceed in light rain, but may be canceled in case of severe weather.

Venue

Nakamura Hachimangu Shrine

556 Naka, Moka, Tochigi 321-4351