Horseback Archery in Zushi

My second cousin invited me to watch traditional Japanese horseback archery called Yabusame in her town of Zushi. Zushi is located next to Kamakura and is just over an hour away by train from Shibuya. Yabusame demonstrations take place at different times and places around Japan. Kamakura is famous for its Yabusame events, but the one in Zushi is less crowded so you can get a close up view of the archers in action.

Part of the Yabusame included a small samurai procession through the streets of Zushi that ended at a local shrine.




The cold late November weather forced the children's archery event inside the Zushi city hall.






A young spectator has a great view for the archery demonstation on Zushi beach.






It's a hit!


Click here to watch a video of Yabusame.

With my second cousin, Yukari and a samurai.


With Yukari's little boy, Dai-chan, five years old.