Chagu Chagu Umakko

Festival highlights

The main highlight is the procession of horses dressed in ornate outfits, walking through the streets as their bells ring.

Each horse is said to wear more than 700 bells, producing the “Chagu Chagu” sound that gives the procession its name.

Enjoy watching around 60 horses cover approximately 14 km in about 4 hours, and admire the variety of their colorful outfits.

A Takizawa and Morioka tradition accompanied by ringing bells and splendid horse trappings

What to expect

The horses set off from Onikoshi Sosozen Shrine in Takizawa City and head for Morioka Hachimangu Shrine, passing through downtown Morioka.

The procession takes breaks along the way and continues to the sound of bells.

At the destination, the shrine visit concludes, and you can watch the procession from various points along the route.

How to take part

Ways to participate as a horse in the procession or as an event participant can be considered separately from participation information for general visitors.

Visitors mainly enjoy watching the procession along the route or at its destination.

Some years offer opportunities to take photos with or interact with the horses, but you should check the venues and conditions for the year of the event before visiting.

Source: 令和８年６月13日（土）チャグチャグ馬コ開催！ - チャグチャグ馬コ保存会公式ホームページ

Location and access

Address

Takizawa City and Morioka City

Host municipality 岩手県滝沢市 · Morioka City

This map shows the surrounding area, not the exact venue location.

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Dates and season

It is usually held on the second Saturday of June.

The procession is described as running from Onikoshi Sozen Jinja in Takizawa City to Morioka Hachimangu in Morioka City, but passage times on the day and related events need to be confirmed each year.

Tips for your visit

The procession covers about 14 km and passes through several locations in sequence, so deciding in advance where you want to watch from can make it easier to plan your visit.

It’s important to watch quietly and avoid shouting so the horses aren’t startled.

Check information for the year of the event about passage times for each date, traffic restrictions, shuttle buses, and other details before setting out.

Source: 【満員御礼！募集は締め切りました】2026チャグチャグ馬コてくてくツアー参加者募集！ – 公益財団法人盛岡観光コンベンション協会

Nearby attractions

The procession ends at Morioka Hachimangu Shrine, located in Hachimancho, Morioka City.

In Morioka, locations along the procession route include Morioka Station Plaza, Morioka Odori Shopping Street, and Nakanohashi Bridge.

If you plan to visit other places alongside the festival, check how they are situated in relation to points along the procession route, and plan according to the information for that year’s event.

Origins and History of Chagu Chagu Umakko

Chagu Chagu Umakko is said to have originated when people visited Onikoshi Sosozen Shrine on the fifth day of the fifth month of the lunar calendar, the traditional Boys’ Day, to give their horses a rest after the preparations for rice planting and to pray for health and safety.

By the mid-Edo period, the custom of dressing up beloved horses had become popular, and the techniques for making their outfits were passed down from one household to another.

The date has changed from day 5 of lunar month 5, and since 2001 it has been held on the 2nd Saturday of June.

Official information

Official information is available on the Chagu Chagu Umakko Preservation Society’s official website.

It features announcements about the procession, expected passing times, horse interaction venues, and other details.

Check the preservation society’s official website for the latest information for the year of the event.

Visit the official website

Chagu Chagu Umakko at a Glance

Chagu Chagu Umakko is a traditional Iwate Prefecture event that honors horses that have worked alongside farmers and prays for health and safety.

Horses wearing ornate outfits and more than 700 bells, it is said, parade approximately 14 km from Takizawa City to Morioka City.

The 2027 event date is currently being confirmed, but the event is usually held on the 2nd Saturday of June.