Soma Nomaoi

A traditional festival with a history of over 1,000 years that continues to this day.

It is said that Taira no Kojiro Masakado, the founder of the Soma clan, thought of using horses as a new military force more than 1,000 years ago. Wild horses were released in Koganegahara, Katsushika-gun, Shimousa Province (present-day northwestern Chiba Prefecture) as a military drill to chase and capture the horses as if they were enemy soldiers. The captured horses were presented to the bodhisattva Myoken in a ritual. It is said that this is how the Soma Nomaoi began. Currently, Soma Nomaoi is held over a 3-day period on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday at the end of July. A magnificent, gallant scene reminiscent of a Warring-States-period picture scroll unfolds with about 400 armored warriors on horseback wearing long swords on their hips and banners on their backs. A guidebook will be given to people who try on the armor during the Tohoku DC period as part of the Tohoku DC Special Event. Also, during the Soma Nomaoi, armor-wearing experiences will be offered.


A thematic journey in the Tohoku region:Festivals

General Information

Address
福島県南相馬市原町区牛来字出口地内(雲雀ヶ原祭場地)等
Prices
Confirm using the website, pamphlet, etc.
Opening Times
Held over a 3-day period on the last Saturday, Sunday, and Monday of July each year
Directions
10 minutes by car from Haranomachi Station on the JR Joban Line, 15 minutes by car from the Minamisoma IC on the Joban Expressway
Car Park
Undecided (free temporary parking will be set up in the city)
Official Website
Soma Nomaoi Official Website

Contact

Contact
Minamisoma Tourist Association
Telephone Number
0244-22-2114