Izumo Iwai Shrine Autumn Yabusame Festival
event
Event Dates
November 3rd (Culture Day)
The Yabusame (archery on horseback), a traditional event that still takes place today, is a Shinto ritual of the Izumo Iwai Shrine that has been passed down for 950 years.
A boy around the age of 15 will train rigorously until the festival to perform the ceremony. Not only is the boy shooting an arrow from a horse running at full speed awe-inspiring, but the costume is gorgeous as well!
Basic Information
10 minutes on foot from Tobu Goose Line’s “Higashi-Moro Station”
Map
Nearby spots
The stage for a powerful display of horseback archery, Izumo Iwai Shrine is the oldest shrine in the prefecture and, together with two building signs, designated as a national important cultural property. According to legend, the origin of the tradition dates back to 1063, when Minamoto no Yoshie visited the area to express gratitude after his successful conquest of Oshu, building the Hachiman Shrine dedicated to the god of horseback archery. Every spring and autumn, young people perform beautiful displays of archery while riding on the backs of galloping horses.
Yamabuki no Sato is associated with Ota Dokan, who was also famous for writing Japanese waka poetry. In the spring, about 2,500 Japanese rose trees sway in the breeze and match with the water mill hut to create an elegant atmosphere.
Doukan Omotenashi (hospitality) Plaza provides information on Ogose Town tourist attractions, historical sites, hiking trails, cherry blossom forecasts, and specialty products. Be sure to stop by when visiting Ogose Town!
Located immediately next to the Ogose Station West Exit, this facility is used by many as a rest spot and meeting place, as a rendezvous point for hiking and to purchase souvenirs and light meals (rice balls, pizza, coffee, juice). There is also a free shuttle bus to SPA O Park OGOSE that departs from in front of the facility.
Around 300 Someiyoshino cherry trees are in full bloom at Sakuranoyama Park in early April and the mountain peak boasts a view that overlooks the Saitama-Shintoshin area. A large fireworks display is held every year on the second Saturday of May.