Horses in Japanese History
Horses (uma) have been central to Japanese military and aristocratic culture since at least the Kofun period (3rd-7th centuries CE), when horse equipment was placed in burial mounds alongside warriors and the horse became an emblem of military power and social status. The samurai warrior class was inseparable from horsemanship – the word bushi (warrior) was sometimes glossed as “one who rides” – and the decline of cavalry warfare during the Edo period of relative peace led to horses being redirected into ceremonial, agricultural, and entertainment contexts.
Today Japanese equestrian culture encompasses multiple dimensions: the racing industry (Japan has one of the world’s most commercially significant horse racing circuits), traditional ceremonial horsemanship associated with Shinto shrines, competitive equestrian sports, and a growing recreational riding sector. The intersection of horse culture with landscape tourism – riding through rice paddies, forest trails, or along beach coastlines – has developed into a distinct travel activity with particular regional concentrations.
Yabusame and Ceremonial Horseback Archery
Yabusame is the traditional practice of mounted archery performed at a full gallop, with the archer shooting at three targets while riding a cantering horse in rapid succession. The practice dates to the Kamakura period and was originally a military training discipline; it is now performed exclusively as a Shinto religious ceremony and public spectacle at major shrine festivals. The most accessible opportunities to witness yabusame are at Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine in Kamakura during the Reitaisai festival in September, at Meiji Jingu Shrine in Tokyo during the autumn Reitaisai in November, and at Shimogamo Shrine in Kyoto during the Aoi Matsuri in May.
The visual impact of yabusame – mounted archer in full medieval costume, galloping along a straight course before striking each target with a blunted arrow – is among the most vivid spectacles in Japanese traditional ceremony. Arriving early for good viewing position is essential, and attending the associated Shinto rituals before the archery provides important context for the religious dimension of the practice.
Recreational Riding Experiences
Recreational horse riding is available across Japan but concentrated in specific landscape settings that offer scenic context for the activity. Hokkaido has the highest density of horse riding facilities given its ranching tradition and wide open agricultural and coastal landscapes. The Obihiro area (associated with the Tokachi horse-draft racing tradition), the Hidaka district (Japan’s thoroughbred breeding centre), and the coastal areas of eastern Hokkaido offer trail rides of varying duration through distinctive northern landscapes.
On the main islands, the Noto Peninsula in Ishikawa, the Minakami area of Gunma, and the foothills of the Japanese Alps offer forest and mountain trail riding. Several ryokan in resort areas in Hakone and the Izu Peninsula have added horse riding to their activity offerings. Beach riding on the Pacific coast, particularly in Chiba and Miyazaki Prefectures, provides a different experience combining coastal scenery with equestrian activity.
Japan Racing Culture
Horse racing (keiba) is one of Japan’s most popular spectator sports and gambling activities, with the Japan Racing Association operating ten racecourses and drawing annual attendance in the millions. The Tokyo Racecourse in Fuchu (accessible from Fuchu-hommachi Station) and the Nakayama Racecourse in Funabashi are the most significant tracks for major races including the Japan Cup and the Arima Kinen. Attending a race meeting is an accessible public activity with low entry costs (200 yen for standard enclosure admission), excellent facilities, and the opportunity to observe both the racing itself and the social culture surrounding it – betting windows, paddock viewing, and the intense focus of the crowd during races.