Thrilling 700 Year Old Japanese SAMURAI Racing | Soma Nomaoi ★ ONLY in JAPAN

There is an event in Japan that has continued uninterrupted for 700 years! Since the age of Samurai, the Soma Nomaoi (相馬野馬追) festival has started summer in Japan's north since 1323, an authentic look at ancient Japan in the battles on the racing course and capture the flag event. It's ultra competitive. The Soma Nomaoi is held annually *now in May* the event moving dates due to the excessive heat at this time in July. It's still considered the starts of the Tohoku Japanese Festival season. Where is the Soma Nomaoi? MAP: https://maps.app.goo.gl/HxZceamsmvWAm2TL6 Info: https://fukushima.travel/destination/soma-nomaoi-festival/62 (English) https://soma-nomaoi.jp (Japanese) 00:00 Start 01:20 What is Soma Nomaoi? 01:46 Where? 03:07 Robed Priests Race to the top! 04:26 Armored Racing Starts 07:05 Samurai Battle Royale "Capture the Flag" Event 08:45 Putting on Samurai Battle Armor 12:32 Military Horseback Riding Training 19:58 Continued through World War 21:10 Japanese Wild Horse Catching Ritual