Over 90 Years of History: 'Chagu-chagu Umakko Pre-festival' to be Held in Yahaba, Iwate on June 8th, Featuring Dressed-up Horses Visiting Facilities and a Mini Parade
Key facts
- Over 90 Years of History: 'Chagu-chagu Umakko Pre-festival' to be Held in Yahaba, Iwate on June 8th, Featuring Dressed-up Horses Visiting Facilities and a Mini Parade
- Yahaba Town, Iwate Prefecture, will host the 'Fiscal Year 2026 Nambu-Morioka Chagu-chagu Umakko Parade Pre-festival' on June 8, 2026. The event features decorated horses visiting nursery schools and welfare facilities in town, followed by a mini parade near JR Yahaba Station. Organized by the Yahaba branch of the Nambu-Morioka Chagu-chagu Umakko Association and the Yahaba Town Tourism Association, this annual event aims to pass down traditional equestrian spirit to the next generation and build momentum for the main parade to Morioka Hachimangu Shrine.
- Source: PR Times
- Date: June 5, 2026
Direct answer
Yahaba Town, Iwate Prefecture, will host the 'Fiscal Year 2026 Nambu-Morioka Chagu-chagu Umakko Parade Pre-festival' on June 8, 2026. The event features decorated horses visiting nursery schools and welfare facilities in town, followed by a mini parade near JR Yahaba Station. Organized by the Yahaba branch of the Nambu-Morioka Chagu-chagu Umakko Association and the Yahaba Town Tourism Association, this annual event aims to pass down traditional equestrian spirit to the next generation and build momentum for the main parade to Morioka Hachimangu Shrine.
- Citation
- Over 90 Years of History: 'Chagu-chagu Umakko Pre-festival' to be Held in Yahaba, Iwate on June 8th, Featuring Dressed-up Horses Visiting Facilities and a Mini Parade (June 5, 2026), PR Times
- Source
- PR Times
- Date
- June 5, 2026
Yahaba Town, Iwate Prefecture, will host the 'Fiscal Year 2026 Nambu-Morioka Chagu-chagu Umakko Parade Pre-festival' on June 8, 2026. The event features decorated horses visiting nursery schools and welfare facilities in town, followed by a mini parade near JR Yahaba Station. Organized by the Yahaba branch of the Nambu-Morioka Chagu-chagu Umakko Association and the Yahaba Town Tourism Association, this annual event aims to pass down traditional equestrian spirit to the next generation and build momentum for the main parade to Morioka Hachimangu Shrine.
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- 📰 Published: June 5, 2026 at 00:04
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Dressed in colorful traditional harnesses, the 'Umakko' (horses) will travel through the town to share the traditional culture of the Nambu-Morioka region with local residents.
Yahaba Town, Iwate Prefecture, will host the 'Fiscal Year 2026 Nambu-Morioka Chagu-chagu Umakko Parade Pre-festival' on Monday, June 8, 2026. On the day, the Yahaba branch of the Nambu-Morioka Chagu-chagu Umakko Association and the Yahaba Town Tourism Association will have decorated horses visit nursery schools and welfare facilities in town, and will also hold a mini parade of approximately 1km.
This event is an annual tradition held in town ahead of the main Chagu-chagu Umakko parade, which travels from Onikoshi-Sosen Shrine (Takizawa City) to Morioka Hachimangu Shrine (Morioka City). Similar to Takizawa and Morioka cities, Yahaba Town has a strong 'love-for-horses' spirit rooted in a long history of living with agricultural horses. To preserve this horse culture, the local branch creates various opportunities for public appearances and interaction.
Through this pre-festival and the participation of locally-raised horses in the parade, the town supports the inheritance of traditional culture that Iwate is proud of, alongside local stakeholders.
About the Chagu-chagu Umakko Pre-festival in Yahaba
The pre-festival is held as an opportunity for local residents to feel the horse culture closer to home. On the day, four decorated horses will split into four courses to visit 26 facilities, including nurseries and welfare centers, followed by a parade.
Origins of the Event
In 1930, Prince Chichibu visited the prefecture and observed a gathering of horses at the shrine grounds between Onikoshi-Sosen Shrine and Morioka Hachimangu Shrine. It was highly acclaimed, and it became an annual event starting the following year. (Reference: Chagu-chagu Umakko official website https://chaguuma.com/)
Although the main parade has a long history, it is said that the pre-festival in Yahaba Town began around the same time. This pre-festival serves as a valuable opportunity for Yahaba residents to interact with horses in colorful harnesses locally, and plays an important role in building excitement for the parade.
Mini Parade Near Yahaba Station, the Gateway to the Town
A mini parade will be held on a course of about 1km passing south of 'Yahapark,' a town activity exchange center in front of Yahaba Station. During the parade, traffic regulations will be in effect, and the schedule may shift depending on the horses' health conditions.
Event Overview
Title: Fiscal Year 2026 Nambu-Morioka Chagu-chagu Umakko Parade Pre-festival
Date: Monday, June 8, 2026, 9:00 AM to 2:30 PM (Scheduled)
Content: Facility visits: 9:00 AM to 1:30 PM
Mini parade: 2:00 PM to 2:30 PM
*Starting/Ending at Waiwai Park, via Yahapark / Approx. 1km
Participation Fee: Free to watch
Registration: Not required
Organizers: Nambu-Morioka Chagu-chagu Umakko Association Yahaba Branch, Yahaba Town Tourism Association
Notes: Cancelled in stormy weather, proceeds in light rain. Schedule may shift due to horse health.
Traffic regulations will be in effect during the mini parade.
About Nambu-Morioka Chagu-chagu Umakko
'Chagu-chagu Umakko' is a traditional early summer event in the Nambu-Morioka region, where horses dressed in colorful harnesses march about 14km from Onikoshi-Sosen Shrine in Takizawa City to Morioka Hachimangu Shrine in Morioka City, with the sound of bells ringing.
Iwate Prefecture is known as a horse-breeding region, and a culture of valuing horses has been rooted in various areas since ancient times. Horses were partners for farmers, and it is said that during busy farming seasons, farmers visited shrines on rest days to pray for their horses' health, which led to the current Chagu-chagu Umakko. Yahaba Town has also long held horses in high regard, similar to Takizawa and Morioka cities. Some families in the Yahaba branch have participated in the parade for over 60 times, passing down the tradition and culture of horse love.
Moving forward, together with the branch and the Yahaba Town Tourism Association, the town will continue to connect the efforts of local horse raisers and stakeholders to the next generation, supporting the inheritance of Iwate's proud traditional culture.
Yahaba Town, Iwate Prefecture, will host the 'Fiscal Year 2026 Nambu-Morioka Chagu-chagu Umakko Parade Pre-festival' on Monday, June 8, 2026. On the day, the Yahaba branch of the Nambu-Morioka Chagu-chagu Umakko Association and the Yahaba Town Tourism Association will have decorated horses visit nursery schools and welfare facilities in town, and will also hold a mini parade of approximately 1km.
This event is an annual tradition held in town ahead of the main Chagu-chagu Umakko parade, which travels from Onikoshi-Sosen Shrine (Takizawa City) to Morioka Hachimangu Shrine (Morioka City). Similar to Takizawa and Morioka cities, Yahaba Town has a strong 'love-for-horses' spirit rooted in a long history of living with agricultural horses. To preserve this horse culture, the local branch creates various opportunities for public appearances and interaction.
Through this pre-festival and the participation of locally-raised horses in the parade, the town supports the inheritance of traditional culture that Iwate is proud of, alongside local stakeholders.
About the Chagu-chagu Umakko Pre-festival in Yahaba
The pre-festival is held as an opportunity for local residents to feel the horse culture closer to home. On the day, four decorated horses will split into four courses to visit 26 facilities, including nurseries and welfare centers, followed by a parade.
Origins of the Event
In 1930, Prince Chichibu visited the prefecture and observed a gathering of horses at the shrine grounds between Onikoshi-Sosen Shrine and Morioka Hachimangu Shrine. It was highly acclaimed, and it became an annual event starting the following year. (Reference: Chagu-chagu Umakko official website https://chaguuma.com/)
Although the main parade has a long history, it is said that the pre-festival in Yahaba Town began around the same time. This pre-festival serves as a valuable opportunity for Yahaba residents to interact with horses in colorful harnesses locally, and plays an important role in building excitement for the parade.
Mini Parade Near Yahaba Station, the Gateway to the Town
A mini parade will be held on a course of about 1km passing south of 'Yahapark,' a town activity exchange center in front of Yahaba Station. During the parade, traffic regulations will be in effect, and the schedule may shift depending on the horses' health conditions.
Event Overview
Title: Fiscal Year 2026 Nambu-Morioka Chagu-chagu Umakko Parade Pre-festival
Date: Monday, June 8, 2026, 9:00 AM to 2:30 PM (Scheduled)
Content: Facility visits: 9:00 AM to 1:30 PM
Mini parade: 2:00 PM to 2:30 PM
*Starting/Ending at Waiwai Park, via Yahapark / Approx. 1km
Participation Fee: Free to watch
Registration: Not required
Organizers: Nambu-Morioka Chagu-chagu Umakko Association Yahaba Branch, Yahaba Town Tourism Association
Notes: Cancelled in stormy weather, proceeds in light rain. Schedule may shift due to horse health.
Traffic regulations will be in effect during the mini parade.
About Nambu-Morioka Chagu-chagu Umakko
'Chagu-chagu Umakko' is a traditional early summer event in the Nambu-Morioka region, where horses dressed in colorful harnesses march about 14km from Onikoshi-Sosen Shrine in Takizawa City to Morioka Hachimangu Shrine in Morioka City, with the sound of bells ringing.
Iwate Prefecture is known as a horse-breeding region, and a culture of valuing horses has been rooted in various areas since ancient times. Horses were partners for farmers, and it is said that during busy farming seasons, farmers visited shrines on rest days to pray for their horses' health, which led to the current Chagu-chagu Umakko. Yahaba Town has also long held horses in high regard, similar to Takizawa and Morioka cities. Some families in the Yahaba branch have participated in the parade for over 60 times, passing down the tradition and culture of horse love.
Moving forward, together with the branch and the Yahaba Town Tourism Association, the town will continue to connect the efforts of local horse raisers and stakeholders to the next generation, supporting the inheritance of Iwate's proud traditional culture.
FAQ
When is the Chagu Chagu Umakotsubo Festival held?
It is held on June 8, 2026 (Monday).
What are the opening hours?
It is scheduled from 9:00 AM to 2:30 PM. Facility visits are from 9:00 AM to 1:30 PM, and the mini parade is from 2:00 PM to 2:30 PM.
Where is the mini parade held?
It is held on a 1-kilometer course passing through the south side of Yawata Town Activity Exchange Center near JR Yawata Station.
Is registration required to participate or watch?
No registration is required, and viewing is free.
What kind of traditional event is Chagu Chagu Umakotsubo?
It is a traditional event that represents the early summer of the Nanbu Morioka region, where horses adorned in colorful costumes parade about 14 kilometers from Kitocho Shrine in Takanashi City to Morioka Hachimangu in Morioka City.