Experience the thrill of ancient horse races and sacred rituals at Kyoto’s Kamo Kurabeuma, where tradition and excitement gallop side by side.
What happens?
Dating back over 1,000 years, the Kamo Kurabeuma Horse Racing Ritual is a lively display of horse-racing skill and tradition.
Held annually at Kamigamo Shrine ahead of the Kamo Festival (also known as the Aoi Festival), this event features competitive horse races where riders, dressed in traditional attire, race two horses at a time. The event is as much about the spiritual blessings for the crops as it is about the thrill of the race. The races are accompanied by Shinto rituals and ceremonies, making this a fascinating blend of history, sport, and religion.
Schedule 2025
May 5
- 10:00: Sacred horse preparations begin at Kamigamo Shrine
- 13:00: Opening ritual at the shrine
- 14:00: Kamo Kurabeuma Horse Racing starts (two horses race in each round)
- 15:30: Closing ritual at the shrine
How to get there
The ritual takes place at Kamigamo Shrine. Kyoto City buses 4, 46, and 67 stop nearby.
Alternatively, walk for 15 minutes from Kitayama Station on the Karasuma Subway Line.
Organizers may cancel events, alter schedules, or change admission requirements without notice. Always check official sites before heading to an event.
