Samurai horse riders compete at traditional festival in Fukushima Pref.; Festival postponed by 2 months due to heat

MINAMI-SOMA, Fukushima – Hundreds of mounted riders dressed as samurai galloped across fields and racetracks on Sunday during the traditional Soma Nomaoi festival in the Soma region of Fukushima Prefecture.

With swords around their waists and battle flags on their backs, the riders looked like they were riding straight out of a historical film.

The riders galloped around a 1.2 kilometer circular course and then battled over flags launched onto grass fields by fireworks.

Until last year, the festival took place in July. However, it was pushed back two months to avoid the heat. A total of 33,000 attendees, 5,000 more than last year, came to the venue to cheer on the heroic display of samurai and horses working together.