Iwate Early Summer Limited! Chagu Chagu Umakko Parade with Ringing Bells

To experience a truly local and traditional festival during your trip to Japan, in early summer in Iwate Prefecture,Chaguchagu UmakkoIt's definitely worth planning a trip for. The 2026 procession will take place on Saturday, June 13th, with ornately decorated horses departing from Gojô Saigū Shrine in Takizawa City and proceeding to Morioka Hachiman Shrine. The bells on the horses make a "chaguchagu" sound as they walk, which is the origin of the festival's name.

For Taiwanese travelers, the most captivating aspect of this event is that it's not commercialized like large urban events, but is filled with the warmth of rural Tohoku and horse culture. The brightly colored horse tack, cute ponies, waving children along the way, and the scenery of distant fields and Mount Iwate make you feel like you've truly stepped into the rhythm of local life. If you're planning a trip to Tohoku, this would be a great highlight to arrange alongside Morioka, Hanamaki, and Hiraizumi in early summer.

Chagu Chagu Mako is a traditional event to pray for the blessings of farming horses.

Chaguchagu Umako is a Iwate tradition that expresses gratitude for workhorses. In the past, horses were indispensable partners in farm life and agriculture. Through worship and procession, the festival expresses gratitude and prayers to horses. The event begins at Onikoshi Sozen Shrine and proceeds to Morioka Hachimangu Shrine, covering a distance of approximately 14 kilometers and taking about 5 hours.

Horses wear colorful outfits adorned with bells that jingle melodiously as they move. This bell sound was selected as one of the "100 Soundscapes to Remain in Japan" in 1996, and for travelers who enjoy sonic memories and local culture, it offers a live charm that's hard to fully grasp from photos alone.

2026 Marching Route: From Takizawa to Morioka City Center

Schedule:Saturday, June 13, 2026

Marching route:Onikoshi Sōzen Shrine 9:30 AM Departure → Takizawa City Hall 10:05 AM → Morioka Station 1:10 PM → Nakanohashi 1:40 PM → Morioka Hachimangu Shrine 1:55 PM Arrival

Transportation and Parking:Free parking is available for self-driving vehicles at Takizawa City Hall, Big Roof Takizawa, and Takizawa General Park. Advance reservations are required for large buses.

Attention:There will be traffic control around Onikoshi Sōzen Shrine from approximately 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM. There are no parking lots near Onikoshi Sōzen Shrine. The distance from each parking lot to the shrine is about 1.4 kilometers, which is about a 20-minute walk. In 2026, there will be a paid shuttle bus from Morioka Station to Big Roof Takizawa, but if you want to see the departure or the field sections, you will still need to walk to Onikoshi Sōzen Shrine.

More information:Takizawa City Tourism and Product Association Official Website

Which section is most suitable? Choose viewing points based on your travel style.

If you want to capture a pastoral feel with Mount Iwate as the background, it's recommended to focus on the earlier section around Takizawa. However, you'll need to plan your transportation more carefully, ideally arrive early, and be prepared for some walking. This section has more of a local festival atmosphere and is suitable for photography enthusiasts and early risers.

If it's your first time in Iwate and your main mode of transportation is JR, it will be easier to arrange your itinerary around Morioka Station and the Nakanohashi area. Arriving around noon near Morioka Station, you'll see queues forming into the city. This arrangement doesn't require an early morning trip to the shrine, and it's convenient for visiting Morioka Castle Site Park, Iwate Bank Red Brick Building, or famous Morioka Reimen restaurants for lunch afterward.

The photo session from the previous day and the Meet & Greet Festival on the same day are also worth noting.

On Friday, June 12th, from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM, the "Chakuchaku Mako Photo Session" will be held at Onigoe Sozen Shrine. Approximately 10 elaborately decorated horses will participate in a mini parade, passing by popular photo spots with views of the countryside and Mt. Iwate. The day before the parade promises fewer crowds, making it ideal for those who want to take photos at a relaxed pace or get a closer look at the horse tack details.

On June 13th, Big Roof Takizawa will also host the "Chaguchagu Umakko Fureaimatsuri in Takizawa 2026," from 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The event will feature horse culture introductions, horse interactions, a poster exhibition, local performing arts such as the Takizawa Koma Odori, and sales of local products and food trucks. If you finish watching the procession in front of Big Roof Takizawa, you can then go inside and take your time exploring. It is also well-suited for families with children.

Traveler's Practical Advice: What to Wear, Photography tips, and Getting Around

June in Iwate has pleasant daytime temperatures, but it can still be cool in the early mornings and evenings. Comfortable walking shoes and a light jacket are recommended. If you plan to see the departure or pastoral routes, please allow extra time for walking and bring water. When observing the horses along the way, do not approach them too closely, nor should you suddenly reach out or use flash photography, which can startle them. For photos or close-up shots, it's best to follow the on-site instructions at rest stops or event areas.

Travelers departing from Morioka Station can arrange a half-day trip for the Chagu Chagu Umakko festival. In the morning, head to Takizawa to see the first part of the procession, and in the afternoon, return to Morioka to eat cold noodles and explore the city. Alternatively, you can wait for the procession near Morioka Station around noon and continue with sightseeing in Morioka City in the afternoon. If you are on a multi-day trip in Tohoku, it is also a great option to combine with Hanamaki Onsen, Hiraizumi's Chuson-ji Temple, Kakunodate, or the Aomori route.

Remember Iwate's early summer with the sound of bells.

The charm of Chagu Chagu Umakko lies not just in its magnificent costumes and cute horses, but in the early summer scenery that combines the sound of bells, roads, crowds, and local memories. It's not as thrilling as a big city festival, but it allows travelers to feel the cultural heritage of Iwate and its coexistence with horses.

If you're looking for an activity in Japan's Tohoku region that will leave you with auditory memories beyond just photographs, the Chagu Chagu Umakko on June 13, 2026, is worth adding to your list. Waking up a little earlier and taking a leisurely walk to hear the approaching bells will be an unforgettable scene on your Iwate journey.