Soma Nomai Matsuri (相馬野馬追)
Time: May 25-27
Prefecture: Fukushima
Location: Hibarigahara Festival Site

Soma Nomaoi traces its origins back over a millennium to the Minamisoma region. It evolved from the historical practice of training horses in open fields as a crucial aspect of military drills, along with the ceremonial capture of wild horses. Those horses captured during this ritual were honored with an almost divine status, being kept at the local shrine.