Private multi-day tour · Multi-day from Tokyo
From Tokyo: 2-Day Soma Nomaoi Festival Customizable Tour
Watch hundreds of armoured riders race and fight for sacred flags at Soma Nomaoi, a more than 1,000-year-old festival. Your viewing seat is included.
Private · your group only◆2 days◆Up to 6 guests◆Pickup included
Road-day snapshot
This is your private tour, so the route is flexible: tell us if you want to skip a stop, stay longer somewhere or add a place nearby.
The experience
A private journey, thoughtfully paced
Soma Nomaoi is one of Japan's oldest festivals. Its roots go back more than 1,000 years, to the horse training of the samurai of the Soma area in Fukushima. Today hundreds of riders in full armour and helmets gather on Hibarigahara Field in Minamisoma. They race on horseback, then fight to catch sacred flags shot high into the sky. Soma Nomaoi is an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Japan. On this 2-day trip you see the main day from a reserved seat.
On day 1 your driver-guide picks you up at your hotel in central Tokyo and drives north along the Joban Expressway, with rest stops. In the afternoon you visit Soma Nakamura Shrine, linked to the Soma clan and the festival, and walk the grounds of the Soma-Nakamura Castle ruins. You stay in the Soma area that night.
Day 2 is the main festival day. You arrive early at Hibarigahara Field and take your reserved seat. You watch the riders march in, the armoured horse race and the sacred flag contest. Your guide explains what is happening. Then you have a seafood lunch from the Hamadori coast, and drive back to your Tokyo hotel, arriving in the evening.
The festival is held over three days in late May. This trip runs only on festival dates.
This is a private tour. Only your group. One van, 1 to 6 guests, never shared with strangers. Your driver-guide speaks English, and also Hindi and Urdu. If the festival is cancelled on your date, you can take a full refund of your booking, guaranteed. If you prefer, we can instead visit the Soma shrines and the festival history displays in Minamisoma.
DAY 1 Pickup in Tokyo, drive to Soma, Soma Nakamura Shrine, Soma-Nakamura Castle ruins
DAY 2 Soma Nomaoi main day at Hibarigahara Field with reserved seat, Hamadori seafood lunch, drive back to your Tokyo hotel
Choose with confidence
Is this the right journey for your group?
Excellent fit if
- See hundreds of riders in full samurai armour
- Watch the armoured horse race at Hibarigahara Field
- See riders fight to catch sacred flags shot into the sky
- Enjoy a reserved viewing seat for the main festival day
- Visit Soma Nakamura Shrine and the castle ruins
Said plainly
Dates: Soma Nomaoi is held over three days in late May. This trip runs only on festival dates Your reserved viewing seat is included in the price If the festival is closed or cancelled on your date, you can take a full refund of your booking, guaranteed. If you prefer, we can instead visit the Soma shrines and the festival history displays in Minamisoma The field has little shade. Bring a hat, sunscreen and water. Horses are part of a traditional festival. Stay in your seat and do not approach them
Your day
Suggested itinerary
Times are approximate. Your driver-guide adjusts the order for traffic, weather, opening hours and the best light.
See hundreds of riders in full samurai armour
Watch the armoured horse race at Hibarigahara Field
See riders fight to catch sacred flags shot into the sky
Enjoy a reserved viewing seat for the main festival day
Visit Soma Nakamura Shrine and the castle ruins
What is covered
What you see is what you pay
Ours — included
- Private van and English-speaking driver-guide
- Hotel pickup and drop-off in central Tokyo
- All parking, fuel and road tolls
- Reserved viewing seat at Hibarigahara Field
- Hamadori seafood lunch on day 2
Yours — paid on the day
- Hotel accommodation (you book your own hotel in Soma)
- Meals and drinks unless listed as included
- Gratuities, which are never expected in Japan
- Optional festival goods and souvenir purchases
Good to know
Before you book
Languages
English, Urdu, Hindi, Punjabi
Pickup
Pickup and drop-off at your Tokyo hotel or accommodation (23 wards).
Group and vehicle
Private for up to 6 guests. Enter adults, children, infants and child seats separately at booking.
Dietary and mobility needs
Halal, vegetarian, allergy, walking or other practical requests go in your booking notes and are planned before the day.
Questions
Frequently asked
Can we change the route on the day?
Yes. It is a private tour in our own van, so your driver-guide can skip, extend or add stops where time allows.
Is the price per person?
No. The price is for your whole private group of up to 6 people, including the van, fuel, tolls, parking and your driver-guide.
What is the cancellation policy?
Cancel at least 24 hours before departure for an automatic full refund to the original payment method. Within 24 hours, contact us directly so we can help. If a typhoon or official weather warning stops the trip, we offer a new date or a full refund. For a GetYourGuide booking, the terms shown on that booking apply.
Somewhere else in mind?
Any destination in Japan
If this route is not exactly what you need, tell us the destination, dates and group. We confirm the plan and the exact price before any payment is taken.
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From¥216,000
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