The main event of the traditional horse festival Soma Nomaoi was held on May 25 in Fukushima Prefecture.

The festival with over 1,000 years of history is designated as an important intangible folk cultural property.

Starting this year, participating women were no longer required to be unmarried and under the age of 20.

Horse racing and capture-the-flag events brought excitement to the field.

S/ Festivalgoer/ It’s a hometown festival I want to keep going. It was really fun.

The final day of Soma Nomaoi ended with participants capturing a horse with their bare hands and offering it at the shrine.