Over 3,000 Visitors!
The “YABUSAME EXPO – Sports Yabusame Cultural Festival” was successfully held on Wednesday, June 18, 2025, at the Festival Station venue of the Expo 2025 Osaka-Kansai (Yumeshima, Konohana Ward, Osaka City, 〒554-0000).
“Sports Yabusame” is a modern interpretation of traditional martial horsemanship, blending ancient techniques with contemporary values to create a dynamic and elegant competitive sport. It also contributes to regional revitalization and cultural innovation. Through exhibitions, presentations, and screenings, we were able to share its appeal with a wide audience.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who attended the event and to all who supported us. Thank you very much.
Special visitor perk! – Receive an original “YABUSAME EXPO” stamp as a keepsake.
Stage Schedule
※Please note that the schedule and content may be subject to change. Thank you for your understanding.
11:00– (15 min)
Yabusame Standing Archery Performance ①
Together with the performers (mainly yabusame competitors), we will present footage compiled from past training sessions, including standing archery videos collected during previous traveling workshops.
For more detail
Experience the Art of Yabusame
The Yabusame Standing Archery Performance is a dynamic showcase of Japan’s traditional mounted archery, adapted for modern audiences.
Event Highlights
🏹 Live Performances – Five staged demonstrations featuring expert yabusame competitors.
🎥 Video Presentations – Archery footage from past training sessions and public submissions.
🌍 TEAM EXPO 2025 Collaboration – Part of a global initiative promoting cultural and sporting events.
11:30– (45 min)
Sports Yabusame Video Screening
Footage of past events and multilingual promotional videos.
For more detail
Experience Yabusame Through Film
At YABUSAME EXPO, a special video screening will be held on the main stage, featuring stunning footage that captures the beauty and intensity of yabusame.
Screening Highlights
🎥 Exclusive Yabusame Films – Large-screen presentations showcasing the sport’s elegance and power.
🎬 Curated by Yabusame Filmmaker Mamoru Nakano – A leading creator dedicated to visually expressing the depth of yabusame.
📺 Featured Works:
- Yabusame & Sports Yabusame
- Yabusame Promotional Video Collection
- Children & International Competitors – Their Achievements & Future
Discover More Online
Nakano’s yabusame films are also available on YouTube, allowing audiences worldwide to experience the sport’s artistry.
12:20– (40 min)
Talk Session: “Connect to the Future – Linking Yabusame Tradition & Future”
Featuring official JRA YouTube videos.
Speakers:
Noriko Takahashi (Representative of Uma JAM),
Ayuko Kamimura (CEO of Towada Riding Club, Ltd.)
For more detail
Connecting Tradition & the Future
This special talk session explores the evolving relationship between horses and people, featuring insights from experts in yabusame and equine welfare.
Event Highlights
🎤 Speakers:
- Noriko Takahashi (Uma JAM Representative) – Advocate for horse therapy and youth development.
- 【Human with Horses】Connect to the future 〜流鏑馬の伝統と未来をつなぐ〜 | JRA公式
- Ayuko Kamimura (CEO of Towada Riding Club, Ltd.) – Pioneer in modern sports yabusame.
- 【Human with Horses】Connect to the future 〜馬と共につくる子どもたちの未来〜 | JRA公式
📺 JRA Official YouTube Feature – The session builds on the Connect to the Future project, which supports retired racehorses and promotes horse-assisted therapy.
🌍 Future of Horses & Humans – Discussions on preserving yabusame traditions while expanding its role in sports, education, and well-being.
13:00– (15 min)
Yabusame Standing Archery Performance ②
Together with the performers (mainly yabusame competitors), we will present footage compiled from past training sessions, including standing archery videos collected during previous traveling workshops.
13:30– (90 min)
Panel Discussion: “Living the Future with Horses”
Exploring sports yabusame’s role in education, welfare, agriculture, and sustainability.
For more detail
Living the Future with Horses
This panel discussion explores how sports yabusame contributes to education, welfare, agriculture, and regional sustainability, aligning with SDGs initiatives.
Event Highlights
🎤 Moderator: Yasuo Shiga (Professor, Business Breakthrough University Graduate School) – Expert in animal behavior and horse therapy research.
👥 Panelists:
- Ayuko Kamimura (CEO, Towada Riding Club) – Pioneer in modern sports yabusame.
- Tomoaki Takahashi (Chairman, NPO EPO) – Advocate for horse therapy and inclusive employment.
- Noriko Takahashi (Representative, Uma JAM) – Leader in equine-assisted therapy and youth development.
- Yoshiko Higuchi (Founder, Future Generations) – Specialist in career education and student development.
- Shinichi Rukei (Advisor, Hachinohe Aoba High School Academy) – Innovator in integrating sports yabusame into education.
- Hideyuki Rikuta (CEO, CRT World & Naturobe Farm) – Organic farming expert promoting biodiversity.
🌍 Sustainability & Innovation – Discussions on preserving yabusame traditions while expanding its role in modern society.
15:30– (15 min)
Yabusame Standing Archery Performance ③
Together with the performers (mainly yabusame competitors), we will present footage compiled from past training sessions, including standing archery videos collected during previous traveling workshops.
16:00– (60 min)
Student Organization Presentation
The activities of the four collaborating student organizations will be presented:
1. Future Generations Student Organization
🏹 “Making Towada the Brightest City in Japan Through Sports Yabusame” – A student-led presentation on how yabusame can contribute to regional revitalization. 🎤 Interactive Discussions – Engaging talks on leadership, innovation, and community-driven projects.
2. Kitasato Carrot Circle
🏇 Daily Life of Carrot Circle Members – Insights into their early morning horse care routines before attending university.
🏹 Participation in Yabusame & Disaster Relief Events – Students actively support yabusame tournaments and mobile horseback riding experiences for disaster-affected communities.
3. Ritsumeikan University Expo Student Committee “Ookini” Japanese Culture Team
The Japanese Culture Team “Sakura” from the Ritsumeikan University Expo Student Committee “Ookini” will present their activities on stage, showcasing their dedication to preserving and sharing traditional Japanese arts and crafts.
4. Hachinohe Aoba High School Academy
🏹 Sports Yabusame Course Presentation – Established in 2023, this was Japan’s first high school curriculum dedicated to sports yabusame.
🏇 Aoba Dojo Introduction – A training facility for students to practice yabusame techniques.
📚 School Overview – Insights into the academy’s unique educational approach.
17:00– (15 min)
Yabusame Standing Archery Performance ④
Together with the performers (mainly yabusame competitors), we will present footage compiled from past training sessions, including standing archery videos collected during previous traveling workshops.
17:30– (60 min)
Workshop: Japanese Fans & Mizuhiki Crafting
The Ritsumeikan University Expo Student Committee’s “Ookini” Japanese Culture Team, Sakura, will host a workshop on Japanese fan-making and mizuhiki crafting.
- Original Folding Fan Workshop – Create your own uniquely designed Japanese fan.
- Mizuhiki Craft Workshop – Make beautiful accessories using mizuhiki, a traditional Japanese decorative cord.
- ⏳ Duration: Each workshop lasts approximately 30 minutes.
- 🕠 Schedule:
- Session 1: 17:30–18:00
- Session 2: 18:00–18:30
- Limited spots available on a first-come, first-served basis.
18:30– (15 min)
Yabusame Standing Archery Performance ⑤
Together with the performers (mainly yabusame competitors), we will present footage compiled from past training sessions, including standing archery videos collected during previous traveling workshops.
Exhibitions & Activities
Yabusame Costumes & Traditional Japanese Horse Gear
We will showcase the differences between traditional attire and modern sports yabusame costumes, explain the uniquely Japanese ōyumi (great bow), and introduce the structure of traditional Japanese horse tack.
For more detail
Discover the Art & Functionality of Yabusame Attire
Exhibition Highlights
👘 Handcrafted Yabusame Costumes – Each outfit is meticulously crafted from repurposed kimono fabric, blending tradition with modern innovation.
🏇 Traditional Japanese Horse Gear – Explore authentic wa-abumi (Japanese stirrups), including a comparison between Edo-period stirrups and the modernized Reiwa-era long-tongue stirrups designed for yabusame.
🔍 Research Showcase – Featuring studies on reviving Heian & Kamakura-era horse gear, adapting traditional designs for contemporary riders.
Partner Organization Activity Booth
This is an exhibition booth where each collaborating organization will introduce their activities:
1. NPO EPO & Uma JAM
For more detail
Empowering Communities Through Horses
NPO EPO (based in Fujinomiya, Shizuoka) supports individuals with disabilities by providing employment and self-sufficiency opportunities through horseback riding and agricultural activities. Since 2020, they have incorporated sports yabusame into their programs, offering standing archery performances and hands-on experiences for children.
Uma JAM: Horse Therapy & SDGs
Uma JAM is an innovative project that fosters partnerships between horses and people, focusing on horse therapy, sustainability, and cross-sector collaboration.
Expo Highlights
🎤 Panel Discussion – Showcasing EPO’s initiatives and the impact of horse therapy.
🏹 Standing Archery Performance – Demonstrations by children trained in sports yabusame.
📖 Horse Therapy Support Book – Introduction to Uma JAM’s educational materials.
Discover how horses contribute to social inclusion, therapy, and sustainable development!
2. Ritsumeikan University Expo Student Committee “Ookini” Japanese Culture Team
For more detail
Cultural Collaboration & Outreach
The “Sakura” team actively participates in cultural events, including yabusame exhibitions, university festivals, and collaborative projects in the Kansai region. Their involvement in TEAM EXPO 2025 has strengthened their commitment to sharing Japanese traditions with a wider audience.
🛍 Booth Exhibition:
- Showcasing mizuhiki accessories, folding fans, and photo frames.
- Some items will be available for purchase at the merchandise corner.
3. Hachinohe Aoba High School Academy
For more detail
Empowering Students Through Education & Yabusame
Hachinohe Aoba High School Academy is a specialized educational facility in Aomori Prefecture, collaborating with Seisa Kokusai High School, a nationwide correspondence school. It supports students who face challenges in traditional schooling, including those who have dropped out or have developmental differences.
Exhibition Booth
🎨 Origami Experience – Hands-on traditional Japanese paper folding.
🏹 Aoba Dojo Showcase – Displaying the history and activities of the yabusame training program.
4. Future Generations Student Organization
For more detail
Empowering the Next Generation Through Yabusame & Community Engagement
The Future Generations program is a leadership development initiative that goes beyond traditional education, integrating workshops, discussions, and volunteer activities to cultivate practical skills in critical thinking, communication, and execution.
Exhibition Booth
📜 Yabusame Athlete Showcase – Featuring profiles of sports yabusame competitors.
🎯 “Yabusame Knight Fortune” – A unique fortune-telling experience inspired by yabusame traditions.
🎨 Handmade Paper Mosaic Panel – A collaborative artwork created with visitors at the Sakura Yabusame event in April.
🛍 Beaded Strap Sales – Handmade accessories available for purchase.
5. Kitasato Carrot Circle
For more detail
Student-Led Equestrian Activities
The Kitasato Carrot Circle is a student-run club from Kitasato University’s School of Veterinary Medicine, operating at Towada Riding Club. Members engage in horse care, training, and competitions, gaining hands-on experience in equestrian activities.
Exhibition Booth
📸 Photo & Video Showcase – Featuring club activities, training sessions, and competition highlights.
🔗 Follow Carrot Circle on Instagram – Stay updated on their latest projects and events.
Sports Yabusame Booth (curated by the Japan Yabusame Competition Federation)
This section provides an overview of sports yabusame, including its history, techniques, and significance. It also introduces various affiliated organizations across Japan that are part of the national sports federation.
For more detail
Discover the Evolution of Yabusame as a Sport
The Sports Yabusame Booth is curated by the Japan Yabusame Competition Federation, an organization dedicated to preserving and modernizing yabusame as a competitive sport.
Exhibition Highlights
📜 History & Development – Learn about the origins of yabusame, from Heian-era battle techniques to modern sports adaptations.
🏹 Sports Yabusame Rules & Differences – Explore how competitive yabusame differs from traditional ceremonial practices.
📖 Exclusive Guidebook: “Yabusame Mastery” – A comprehensive manual supervised by the federation, available in Japanese and English.
Sports Yabusame Photography Contest
As part of an interactive initiative, we will showcase publicly submitted photographs collected during pre-event yabusame activities. These images, submitted by participants, capture the essence of the sport and will be displayed at the exhibition.
For more detail
Capturing the Spirit of Yabusame
The Sakura Yabusame Photo Contest is an annual event held in Towada City, inviting visitors to capture the dynamic beauty of yabusame through photography.
Exhibition Highlights
📸 Award-Winning Photos – A showcase of past contest winners, celebrating the artistry of yabusame photography.
🗳 Public Voting for the 9th Contest – Visitors can vote for their favorite entries from the latest competition, with winners featured in next year’s official Sakura Yabusame poster.
🌐 Online Voting Available – Participate via Facebook and Instagram by liking your favorite photos.
Student Research Contest on Horse Culture & History
We will showcase past award-winning works from the Student Research Contest on Horse Culture & History, which has been held since 2022. Additionally, presentation videos specifically submitted for the Expo will be screened.
For more detail
Exploring the Connection Between Horses & Local Communities
The UmaTan Booth showcases student-led research projects that explore the relationship between horses and regional culture.
Exhibition Highlights
🎥 Award-Winning Video Presentations – Featuring three outstanding research projects:
- Remake of “Regional Treasures” – A revised version of the 2024 Special Award-winning film.
- Revitalization Through Batō Kannon – A project on using horse guardian deities for community development.
- Creating a Future for Retired Racehorses – Raising awareness about retired racehorses and their welfare.
📚 Past Contest Winners – View research projects from UmaTan 2022, 2023, and 2024.
📝 Join UmaTan 2025! – Applications for the 2025 contest are now open.
Shopping & Experiences
Various sports yabusame-related products &
costumes and kimono fabric remake items
Various sports yabusame-related products, including costumes and kimono fabric remake items, will be available for purchase.Additionally, the event will feature handmade items crafted from repurposed kimono fabric, promoting sustainability and SDGs initiatives.
For more detail
Discover Unique Yabusame-Themed Products
At YABUSAME EXPO, visitors can purchase a variety of exclusive sports yabusame merchandise, traditional accessories, and handcrafted items.
Featured Products
🏹 Sports Yabusame Gear – Authentic equipment, including jingasa (war hats), yabusame fan books, and instructional guides (available in English).
👘 Kimono Remake Collection – Handmade shirts, bags, business card holders, and accessories crafted from repurposed kimono fabric.
🎨 Sakura Yabusame Character Goods – Designed by Keiko Hayakawa, illustrator of Yūshun no Mon (Asumi), featuring keychains, stickers, notebooks, and clear files.
🐎 Towada Riding Club Merchandise – Exclusive patches and accessories from Towada Riding Club.
🎓 Student-Crafted Goods – Beaded straps by Future Generations and mizuhiki accessories & photo frames by Ritsumeikan University Expo Student Committee.
🎁 Expo Novelties – Free kimono-patterned coasters, small cases, and tissue holders for attendees.
Shop Online
Many of these items are also available at Towada Riding Club’s online store, “Western Hat Japan“.
Yabusame Wooden Horse Archery Experience
Try shooting arrows from a wooden horse!
Organizers
This event is co-hosted by Towada Riding Horseback Club and the Towada Yabusame Tourism Federation
About Towada Riding Club
Experience the World of Equestrian Sports & Yabusame
Towada Riding Club offers a wide range of horse-related activities, from beginner-friendly riding experiences to advanced yabusame training.
Club Highlights
🐎 Horseback Riding Services – Guided rides, trekking, and yabusame lessons.
🎓 Equestrian Education – Riding schools for children, workshops, and university research collaborations.
🏹 Yabusame Training Programs – Beginner-friendly 60-minute yabusame experience and 3-day intensive training for experienced riders.
🌍 Community & Sustainability Initiatives – Horse-assisted therapy, rural revitalization, and environmental projects.
Commitment to Tradition & Innovation
Towada Riding Club follows the Towada SRC Model, aiming for long-term sustainability in equestrian sports while preserving Japan’s rich horse culture.
About Towada Yabusame Tourism Federation
Promoting Yabusame & Regional Tourism
The Towada Yabusame Tourism Federation is dedicated to expanding horseback riding culture, developing new equestrian activities, and enhancing tourism in Towada City, Aomori Prefecture.
Mission & Activities
🏹 Community Engagement – Hosting events that allow residents to experience yabusame.
📚 Research & Development – Conducting studies to promote yabusame tourism and improve infrastructure.
🎯 Public Awareness & Education – Organizing lectures on local horse culture and history.
🛍 Yabusame Merchandise – Developing and selling yabusame-related products.
👥 Talent Development – Supporting professionals in the yabusame industry.
Commitment to SDGs
The federation integrates yabusame into sustainable development goals, fostering cultural appreciation, education, and gender-inclusive sports participation.
Annual Events
🌸 Sakura Yabusame (April) – A vibrant celebration of yabusame in Towada.
🏆 World Yabusame Championship (October) – A global competition promoting international exchange.
Support
Japan Yabusame Competition Federation
This event is supported by a grant from the TAW Thoroughbred Aftercare and Welfare Foundation, which promotes diverse initiatives for horse utilization and welfare.