Fujimori Festival Kakeuma Horse Ritual

Fujimori Shrine in Fushimi-ku, Kyoto is believed to be the birthplace of Tango no Sekku (Iris Festival). The Fujimori Festival runs May 1-5, with the highlight being the Kakeuma horse ritual on May 5, a 1,200-year-old tradition designated as a Kyoto City Intangible Folk Cultural Property. Riders perform acrobatic feats on galloping horses including handstands, riding backward, and calligraphy, drawing visitors from across Japan.