A traditional Kikuma event where decorated horses race after sea purification
The Ofiuma Horse-Riding Event
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Season / frequency
- The 3rd Sunday of October
- Location
- Kamo Shrine
- Area
- Ehime Prefecture・Imabari City(From Tokyo: approx. 1 h 25 min–1 h 45 min · flight time only)Prefecture-level estimate to a main station or airport, not the venue. Airport access, check-in and onward travel are extra; remote areas and islands can take much longer.
- Highlights and activities
- Last updated
- 2026/11/11
At Kamo Shrine in Hama, Kikuma-cho, Imabari City, young riders race decorated horses in an event known as “Hashiri-uma” (running horses). It has been passed down as part of the shrine’s grand festival and is designated an Intangible Folk Cultural Property by Ehime Prefecture.
About The Ofiuma Horse-Riding Event
The Ofiuma Horse-Riding Event is held during the grand festival at Kamo Shrine in Hama, Kikuma-cho, Imabari City, and is designated an Intangible Folk Cultural Property by Ehime Prefecture.
It is commonly called “Hashiri-uma” (running horses), a name derived from the fact that horses that take part in the races also accompany the procession.
Recognized as a contemporary local cultural tradition, the event is closely tied to Kamo Shrine’s festivals.
Festival highlights
The highlight is the decorated horses running one after another along the approximately 300-meter course from the entrance to the shrine.
The young riders, called noriko, wear white garments and long robes with straight sleeves, tie a sash of Edo hemp over their headbands, and carry bamboo-root whips fitted with paper bōden ornaments.
The horses’ decorations and the riders’ attire come together to create a bold, powerful spectacle.
A traditional Kikuma event where decorated horses race after sea purification
What to expect
The young riders, called noriko, and the kuchihiki, who guide the horses by the mouth, undergo sea purification starting 7 days before the event.
On the day, riders mount decorated horses, which run one after another along the approximately 300-meter course from the torii entrance to the shrine.
The horses that take part in the races also accompany the mikoshi procession.
Location and access
- Venue and address
Kamo Shrine, Hama, Kikuma-cho, Imabari City
Address Hama, Kikuma-cho, Imabari City
Dates and season
It is held each year on the 3rd Sunday of October in conjunction with Kamo Shrine’s grand festival.
Accommodation and hotels PR
Showing nearby accommodation.
Prices and availability are current at the time of retrieval. For multi-night stays, only the first night’s price is shown. Confirm the final price and directions to the venue with the booking provider. Select your dates again when using the area search link. Search area: within 3 km of Central Ehime Prefecture / Imabari City (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Nearby attractions
かわら館
愛媛県今治市にある博物館
ところミュージアム大三島
愛媛県今治市大三島にある現代彫刻の美術館
写真：-- 地方の田舎もの （ 会話 ） 2022年9月3日 (土) 13:14 (UTC) / CC BY 3.0
Photo source ·
タオル美術館ICHIHIRO
愛媛県今治市にある美術館
今治市伊東豊雄建築ミュージアム
愛媛県今治市大三島にある建築美術館
今治市大三島美術館
愛媛県今治市大三島にある美術館
今治市大西藤山歴史資料館
愛媛県今治市に所在する考古学博物館
今治市岩田健母と子のミュージアム
愛媛県今治市大三島にある美術館
今治市河野美術館
愛知県今治市にある美術館
今治市玉川近代美術館
愛媛県今治市にある美術館
Kamo Shrine
愛媛県今治市にある神社
Ōyamazumi Shrine
愛媛県今治市大三島にある神社
愛媛文華館
愛媛県の博物館・美術館のスポットです。
Origins and History of The Ofiuma Horse-Riding Event
Kamo Shrine is said to have been enshrined in 1399 (Oei 6) as a guardian deity within the grounds of Henjo-in Temple.
Kikuma was once a manor belonging to Kamigamo Shrine in Kyoto, and the Henjo-in records include an account of “samurai horse racing” at a festival in 1495 (Meio 4).
The present event is thought to have begun in connection with the horse races at Kamigamo Shrine.
Official information
Information on the Ofiuma Horse-Riding Event from Ehime Prefecture’s official website, “Ehime Cultural Properties (Treasures)”
The Ofiuma Horse-Riding Event at a Glance
The Ofiuma Horse-Riding Event is designated an Intangible Folk Cultural Property by Ehime Prefecture and is held at Kamo Shrine in Hama, Kikuma-cho, Imabari City.
After undergoing sea purification starting 7 days beforehand, young riders mount decorated horses and race them along the approximately 300-meter course from the torii entrance to the shrine.
Held on the 3rd Sunday of October as the shrine’s grand festival, it is said to have originated in connection with festival records from 1495 and the horse races at Kamigamo Shrine.
Sources and references
Japanese Festivals.jp Editorial Team
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Article updated: 2026/11/11
