The chagu-chagu horses, a tradition in early summer in Iwate, are a march of farm horses wearing gorgeous orthotics!

Every June, a festival that can be considered a symbol of early summer in Iwate Prefecture is held in Takizawa City and Morioka City

The name of this festival, which is sometimes called "Japan's cutest festival" in some areas, "Chagu Chagu Umakko ." What exactly is so cute about it? We'll introduce you to the full details of this festival!

What is Chagu Chagu Umakko?

Chagu Chagu Umakko is a festival held every year on the second Saturday of June in Takizawa City and Morioka City, Iwate Prefecture

A herd of 60 to 100 farm horses dressed in gorgeous livery marches along a 14km route from Onikoshi Sozen Shrine in Takizawa City to Morioka Hachiman Shrine in Morioka City

In 1978, the festival was designated an "intangible folk cultural asset that should be recorded and other measures taken," and in 1996, the sound of the Chagu Chagu Umako bells was selected as one of the "100 Soundscapes of Japan that Should Be Preserved" by the Environment Agency

The sound of the 700 bells, large and small, attached to the horse's attire sounds like "chagu chagu," is said to be the origin of the name "Chagu Chagu Umakko."

The Nanbu region has long been a breeding ground for fine horses

It has long been known that well-built horses live in the area around present-day Aomori and Iwate prefectures. The Nanbu clan, who came to this area from Nanbu-go in Kai Province (present-day Nanbu Town, Minamikoma District, Yamanashi Prefecture), improved the horses of this area by crossbreeding them with those of Kai, creating the large "Nanbu horse." This horse became popular as a kind of brand horse , and came to be prized throughout the country.

Although the Nanbu horse is said to have become extinct due to crossbreeding, the life of the Nanbu region, where horses were a part of daily life, the Nanbu Magariya, which is an integrated house the Hachimanuma, a local toy passed down in the area around Hachinohe City, Aomori Prefecture .

Tohoku Rokken Trivia Media NEFT

Nanbu Bevelers are the unique residence of the Nanbu Domain, who was well aware of the importance of horses [Iwate Prefecture]

https://jp.neft.asia/archives/10445

``Magari-ya'' is a unique and humane residence built for people to live together with a stable inside the house. In the north of the Kanto region, especially in Iwate Prefecture, during the Edo period many unique curved houses called ``Nanbu Magariya'' were built. ``Old Kawamae Shime House'' Built in the late Edo period. "Tono Furusato Village" Image provided by: Iwate Prefectural Tourism Association Horses are kept in the main house, which stays warm all day long even in the cold and snowy winters.There are old folk houses with L-shaped thatched roofs remaining throughout the Tohoku region. It is called ``Magariya,'' and its name may change slightly depending on the region, such as Magariya, Magariya, Magariya, Magariya, Magariya, Magariya...

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Tohoku Rokken Trivia Media NEFT

Hachiman Horse - A lucky local toy that is one of Japan's three major pieces and is passed down in the southern horse production area [Hachinohe City, Aomori Prefecture]

https://jp.neft.asia/archives/39105

In the past, horses were inseparable from people's lives, such as farming, war, and transportation. There are many excellent horse production areas in the Tohoku region, and their appearance is naturally reflected in traditional crafts from various regions. Yawatauma is one of them, and is a local toy that is counted as one of the "three greatest pieces in Japan" along with Miharukoma in Koriyama City, Fukushima Prefecture and Kinoshitakoma in Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture. What is Hachimanuma? The southern region, including Hachinohe city, Hachinohe city, which had been an excellent horse production area since ancient times, was once known as Nukanobugun, and by the beginning of the Nara period it was already recognized by the imperial court as a production area for excellent horses. The time passed, and the Kamakura period was the Kamakura administration and the Oshu Fujiwara clan...

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The origin of Chagu Chagu Umako

For this reason, in the area surrounding present-day Takizawa City, people have taken to using the horse-related Boys' Festival (May 5th) as a day of rest, and visit Aozen Shrine and Komagata Shrine, the guardian deities of horses, to pray for the good health of their beloved horses

This "Oaozen Mairi" and became established, and as the years went by, people gradually began to dress up their horses in Konida Shozoku (small cargo clothing) when visiting the shrine, which is said to be the origin of "Chagu Chagu Umakko."

The procession that was born as a result of Prince Chichibu's visit to the prefecture

In 1930, Prince Chichibu, who was famous as a horse lover at the time, visited Iwate Prefecture. After visiting Onikoshi Sozen Shrine in Takizawa City, he marched in a procession of horses to Morioka Hachiman Shrine, where he put on a parade of horses in the horse riding arena in front of the shrine, which was a huge hit with local residents

Therefore, the procession from Onikoshiozen Shrine to Morioka Hachimangu Shrine was held again in the following years, and this is said to be the birth of the current "Chagu Chagu Umakko" format, which involves visiting Onikoshiozen Shrine, then a procession, and then visiting Morioka Hachimangu Shrine

The Chagu Chagu Umako Photo Shoot will be held on the day before the festival」

On the day before the festival, a photo shoot of the Chagu Chagu Umakko will be held at Onikoshi Aozen Shrine, the starting point of the festival.

There are horses dressed in the festival attire all over the shrine grounds, and you can take photos freely

The format of the festival on the day is similar to watching a marathon or relay race from the sidelines, so if you want to take your time to look at the Umakko and take photos, we recommend going to the photo session the day before. You can get up close to the Umakko and take commemorative photos

However, if you approach a horse from behind, you run the risk of being kicked up by its hind legs, so if you approach a horse, make sure to approach it from the front!

The program for the Chagu Chagu Umako photoshoot. The content and time may change from year to year, but in 2025 it was as shown in the photo above

On this day, around 10 horses participated in the photo shoot

Seeing the horses up close is impressive! They are bigger than what you would normally imagine a racehorse to be, and their legs are incredibly thick

You can also get a close look at the dazzling equipment

Among them are some smaller ponies

The horses set off for a mini parade

The mini parade on the day before will be held twice, once in the morning and once in the afternoon

The day of the Chagu Chagu Umakko festival is bustling with spectators

It's about 14km from Onikoshi Sozen Shrine in Takizawa City to Morioka Hachiman Shrine in Morioka City. It's not an impossible distance to walk, but I wasn't confident about the journey, so I decided to wait for the Umakko to arrive in Morioka City

As the scheduled time approached, the number of spectators along the road gradually increased, and before you knew it, both sides of the road were filled with spectators. The photos below were taken by the author as he followed the approximately 2km journey from the main street to Morioka Hachimangu Shrine

The Chagu Chagu Umakko procession arrives near the main street in Morioka City. Many spectators line the road

Leading the way are seven official horses, ridden by the mayors of Takizawa City and Morioka City

This is the intersection where the main road leads to Iwate Park (Morioka Castle Ruins Park). A cute foal snuggles up next to its mother

Horse carriages passing in front of Sakurayama Shrine

Just before reaching Nakanobashi Bridge, there is a constant stream of spectators lining the road

The approach to Morioka Hachiman Shrine (Hachiman Street) crosses Sakanamachi Shopping Street

If you take up a position near the large torii gate of Morioka Hachiman Shrine, you can see the Chagu Chagu Umako procession from the front

The runners and their companions waved to the people along the road with bright smiles on their faces throughout the procession, showing no signs of fatigue after walking the 14km distance

Umako also looked somewhat proud of herself as she was cheered on by the many spectators

At the end of the march, the participants did not pass under the large torii gate of Morioka Hachimangu Shrine, but instead went off to the side and entered the grounds of Kasamori Inari Shrine from the front of the approach to the shrine, where the march ended. The finish line was overflowing with people

Because it is a procession, it is similar to going to watch a marathon or a relay race from the sidelines, so if you go to see it expecting a normal festival, you may be surprised at how quickly it ends, but the majestic figures of the Umakko in their cute and gorgeous gear are definitely worth seeing!

If you have the chance, this is a festival you should definitely see live. If you want to take your time to appreciate the Umakko, we also recommend going to the Chagu Chagu Umakko photo session the day before!

Chagu Chagu Umako <Information>

• Name: Chagu Chagu Umako
• Date: The second Saturday of June every year
• Procession route: Approximately 14 kilometers from Onikoshi Sozen Shrine in Takizawa City to Morioka Hachiman Shrine in Morioka City
• Official URL: https://chaguuma.com/

Aoiwa

Traveling around the Tohoku region, I enjoy drinking delicious sake and exploring the local history, traditions, and customs. I write articles based on my interests. I'm currently interested in folk performing arts, local toys, and folk beliefs.