Yabusame Horseback Archery in Munakata, Fukuoka
Overview
‘Yabusame’ (horseback archery) competitions can be seen across Japan, but opportunities to try it are rare. For a unique cultural experience, try yabusame for yourself and wear an archer's costume.
Highlights
- Meet friendly horses at a riding club
- Enjoy a rare opportunity to experience yabusame, traditional Japanese mounted archery
- Receive photos and videos to commemorate your experience
- Learn about yabusame’s history and its ties to Shinto rituals
Key Information
Important Information
• Staff will take photos and videos and send them to you afterward • For the yabusame costume-wearing add-on, guests will wear the costume before Option 1 • Please sign up for travel insurance in your own country Activity rules • Children aged 0–6 may not participate • If the activity is canceled due to inclement weather, we will contact you by 17:00 a day before your booking and offer a full refund • The yabusame costume-wearing add-on is only for guests who choose Option 1 • The yabusame costume-wearing add-on is only for guests 155cm and taller
Booking
Description
Yabusame, traditional Japanese mounted archery, goes back to the 6th century. In ancient times, it served as both a military skill and a Shinto ritual to entertain the gods and to pray for the community's well-being.
Yabusame as we know it today was developed in the Kamakura period (1185–1333). With archers on horseback having only a few seconds to shoot three stationary targets, this traditional art is difficult — but also very exciting to watch.
These days, you can watch a yabusame competition at festivals across Japan. It’s still closely tied to Shinto rituals, so most competitions are held at shrines. But because training for yabusame is intense, opportunities to experience it are extremely rare.
In this experience at a riding club in Munakata, Fukuoka, you'll enjoy the rare opportunity to try yabusame for yourself. You'll practice archery, then horse riding, before making your debut as a yabusame archer. Feel the adrenaline rush as you fire arrows at your targets while riding a galloping horse. You can also wear a yabusame archer’s costume for an extra fee.
This experience include plenty of photo and video opportunities, so you can take home wonderful memories of your experience.