Archery is shot while galloping along a straight course on horseback—Yabusame. It might seem difficult since it requires both horsemanship and archery skills. However, did you know that there are farms and riding clubs where you can actually experience Yabusame? In this article, we introduce the history of Yabusame and details about trial courses.
What is Yabusame, a Samurai Tradition?
Overview of Yabusame
Yabusame is a traditional horse-mounted archery event where riders gallop along a straight course and shoot at three targets with a bow and arrow. Typically, native Japanese horses such as Kiso or other local breeds are used, but some events also feature Thoroughbreds or other breeds depending on the school or festival.
The course from start to finish is about 250 meters. Though long, a rider can complete it in less than 30 seconds when galloping. The first target is about 35 meters from the start, with the second and third targets positioned at 90-meter intervals. Watching riders stable on a galloping horse while firing arrows in less than 10 seconds is truly spectacular.
History of Yabusame
Before formalization, mounted archery, known as ‘kisha,’ was practiced in combat. The practice of shooting multiple targets in succession began during Emperor Kinmei’s era (522 AD), as a sacred ritual to pray for peace and plentiful harvests. Skilled archers were chosen to shoot at three targets, marking the origin of Yabusame’s ceremonial roots.
Over time, Yabusame spread as a religious and festival event, becoming formalized as a ‘rites and etiquette’ system in the Heian period. However, from the Sengoku era onward, the practice declined due to the rise of firearms and collective military tactics, and the end of the samurai class in the Meiji era put the tradition at risk of fading away.
Fortunately, schools specializing in the traditional art of horse and archery, like the Ogasawara and Takeda schools, along with efforts from various shrines and clans, have preserved its legacy to this day.
Are Beginners and Archery Newcomers Welcome?
Why Beginners Can Feel Safe
If you’ve read this far and thought, “Wow, I want to try that!” or “It looks so cool!”, you’re not alone. Conversely, if you have ridden before, you might feel this resembles a challenging feat—holding a bow while riding at speed.
Most Yabusame experiences offer beginner and experienced courses, so even those without prior riding or archery experience can participate. They practice horsemanship and archery separately before safely trying the full experience.
Popular Farms and Riding Clubs Offering Yabusame
- Tohoku, Towada City: Towada Riding Club
- Ibaraki, Sakuragawa City: Yamato Horse Park
- Yamanashi, Minamitsuru District: Koyo Kiso Horse Farm
- Yamanashi, Hokuto City: Canadian Camp Yatsugatake
- Shiga, Omihachiman: Mikari-no Moria Farm
- Fukuoka, Iizuka: Horseback Riding Club Pinto
- Fukuoka, Munakata: Canadian Camp Riding Club
- Saga, Takeo City: Takeo Yabusame Riding Club, Tsubaki-kai
What Do Trial Courses Include?
1 to 3-hour Courses
Trial courses vary in duration from about one to three hours. If you think, “I don’t have the stamina for a full day,” try a shorter session. Here, we explain a 1-hour Yabusame experience at Mikari-no Moria Farm in Omihachiman, Shiga Prefecture.
During the shorter session, participants start by familiarizing themselves with the horses, then spend the first 30 minutes practicing archery, including basic drawing and aiming techniques. For those experienced in archery, the focus is on mastering shooting from horseback, making it an exciting challenge.
Even for experienced riders, focusing on complex movements while galloping can be daunting. After that, the remaining 30 minutes are dedicated to tacking up the horse and actually riding. The beginner-friendly experience starts with slow, guided walking and progresses to shooting arrows while riding at a trot. Participants who attend multiple sessions can even practice riding at a canter or gallop in the straight course.
It’s impressive that you can get such an authentic experience in just one hour! For those looking for a more intensive course, Mikari-no Moria Farm also offers full-day Yabusame schooling, so check that out if you want more challenge.
Full-Day Course
Course contents differ among farms and clubs. Here, we introduce the flow based on the Koyo Kiso Horse Farm’s ‘Yabusame Schooling’. In the morning, participants learn about horse care and tack-up, which is a refreshing experience even for seasoned riders. After preparing, you will go for about an hour’s trail ride, which focuses on practicing ‘standing off’ technique—a unique style that helps riders stay balanced during high-speed gallops by raising their hips in a technique specific to Japanese riding.
After a lunch break, the focus shifts to archery practice, starting with aiming techniques and drawing practice without riding. This step is designed to introduce newcomers to the basics of archery, even if they are experienced in other styles like Kyudo. Once fundamentals are confirmed, participants progress to shooting arrows from horseback, initially at a walk with guided horses, and later potentially at a trot or gallop for advanced students.
While some clubs use wooden horses or practice targets from trucks or elevated platforms, the emphasis is always on developing the necessary skills for shooting from a galloping horse.
What is the Cost of a Full-Day Experience?
The full-day experience costs approximately 17,000 to 25,000 yen. Additional fees may include insurance, rental equipment for archery and costumes, and other incidental costs.
While not cheap, considering that a typical horseback riding experience for 30 minutes costs around 5,000 yen, this full-day Yabusame experience offers extraordinary value for a long-lasting, immersive cultural adventure.
Summary
Yabusame, often seen in religious ceremonies and festivals, is a captivating tradition. Though opportunities to try it are limited, if you want to get closer to that impressive image, give it a try! Changing your posture and riding style from normal horseback riding could lead to new discoveries and skills.