Japanese horseback archery in Kyoto

The Aoi Matsuri, one of Kyoto's three major festivals commences on May 15. Ahead of the event, a Yabusame ritual was held at Shimogamo Shrine, a World Heritage Site. Archers adorned in the regalia of nobility and samurai, galloped on horseback along a 400-meter-long track. They skillfully shot arrows at three small targets, about 50 centimeters in size, spaced 100 meters apart. Cheers erupted whenever an archer hit a target while maintaining perfect balance on his horse.