Key Facts
• April: Traditional horseback archery “Yabusame” held at Miyazaki Shrine since 1940
• Yabusame course length: approx. 230 meters; target size: about 60 cm square
• Spring: “Jankan Horse Dance” performed in Mimata Town during the 100+ year-old Hayama Festival
• 37 participants aged 6 to 60 ran 200 meters in horse costumes at Mimata Town’s “Mimatan Derby”
• Summer: “Ota Festival” in Misato Town with 1,000-year history, featuring horses running bareback in rice paddies
• October: “Obi Castle Town Festival” in Nichinan City includes a 1 km parade with horse-mounted female warriors
• Miyazaki Shrine Grand Festival “Jinmu-sama” features a 3-hour procession with about 1,200 participants
• “Miss Shanshan Horse” tradition dates back 76 years, inspired by newlyweds visiting Udo Shrine
• 2025: Jankan horses from Mimata Town participated in Obi Castle Town Festival
• Festivals symbolize prayers for good harvests, health, and community vitality
Summary
The year 2026 marks the Year of the Horse, highlighting the enduring bond between humans and horses in Japan, especially in Miyazaki Prefecture. Traditional festivals continue to celebrate this relationship through dynamic events such as the horseback archery “Yabusame” at Miyazaki Shrine, the lively “Jankan Horse Dance” in Mimata Town, and the spirited “Ota Festival” in Misato Town where horses run bareback in rice paddies. The “Mimatan Derby” engages participants of all ages who don horse costumes to race, reflecting local pride and community spirit. In Nichinan City, the “Obi Castle Town Festival” features a parade with horse-mounted female warriors, while the Miyazaki Shrine Grand Festival reenacts Emperor Jinmu’s eastern expedition with a large procession. The “Miss Shanshan Horse” tradition, inspired by a bridal pilgrimage custom, adds historical depth to these celebrations. These festivals not only entertain but also embody prayers for abundant harvests, health, and prosperity, inviting people to connect with the rich cultural heritage shared with horses.
