Kumamoto welcomes autumn with a raucous festival of murky origins. Originally called the Boshita Festival (though the name was later retired due to alleged anti-Korean connotations), the five-day celebration culminates in an uma-oi, an equestrian event where groups of followers "chase" their respective steeds through the streets, dancing, drumming and blowing trumpets. The parade kicks off on the precincts of Fujisaki Hachiman Shrine at 6am, with ceremonies and costumed samurai but latecomers can catch the horse-chasing excitement anywhere along the parade route through the Kamitori and Shimotori arcades. (Fear not - all horses are carefully controlled.)
Mandy Bartok @mandy.bartok
Japan resident for 10 years, with time spent in Okinawa, Kumamoto and Tokyo.
