【20th Edition】The Future of Soma Nomaoi: Preserving Tradition and Passing It On to the Next Generation

The Soma Nomaoi is a magnificent equestrian festival with over 1,000 years of history, a source of pride for the Soma region. However, challenges for its future have emerged due to factors like declining birthrates, an aging population, and changes in the local economy. Let us consider the future of the Soma Nomaoi: how should it be preserved and developed going forward?

1. Current Challenges

🔹 Declining Number of Young Mounted Warriors

While mounted warriors are central to the Soma Nomaoi, the number of young people with riding experience is declining.

Limited horse breeding environments

Declining participation interest among younger generations

High maintenance costs for armor and horses make continuation difficult

🔹 Securing Horses and the Burden of Maintenance Costs

Increasing horse breeding costs (feed, medical expenses, stable maintenance)

Unstable system for accepting retired racehorses

Limited horse loan systems

🔹 Securing Festival Operating Funds

Increasing event costs (venue preparation, security, staff wages)

Challenges securing sponsors and donations

Need for new funding methods like hometown tax donations

🔹 Declining Tourist Numbers and Raising Awareness

Declining interest in traditional events due to aging population

Awareness outside the prefecture and overseas remains insufficient

Challenges with transportation access and lodging facilities

2. Initiatives to Pass Soma Nomaoi on to the Future

🔹 Promoting Participation by Younger Generations

Advancing equestrian culture education in collaboration with local schools

Horseback riding experiences and historical studies in elementary and junior high schools

Introducing curricula teaching the history of Soma Nomaoi

Implementing a mounted warrior training program

Practice sessions for beginner riders

Armor-wearing experiences and etiquette training

🔹 Innovations for Horse Maintenance and Procurement

Utilizing retired racehorses

Training racehorses for use in the Nomaoi and accepting them locally

Supporting local riding clubs

Strengthening collaboration with riding clubs, expanding horse rental systems

Establishing a horse owner system

Establish a dedicated “Horse Owners Association” for Soma Nomaoi, creating a framework for corporate and individual support

🔹 Securing Funding and Strengthening Operations

Utilizing the Hometown Tax Donation System

Offering Nomaoi experience events as donation rewards

Planning Soma Nomaoi merchandise and limited-edition armor experiences

Acquiring Corporate Sponsors

Strengthening partnerships with local businesses and national equestrian-related companies

Utilizing Crowdfunding

Launch the “Soma Nomaoi for the Future” project to solicit nationwide support

🔹 PR and Tourist Attraction Domestically and Internationally

Information dissemination via SNS and Web

Utilize X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, YouTube, etc.

Introduce the stories of the mounted warriors and behind-the-scenes festival scenes

Overseas tourism initiatives

Develop guided tours with English and Chinese language support

Developing “inbound package tours” where visitors can experience the history and culture of the Nomaoi

Introducing Online Experiences

Utilizing VR/AR technology to create systems enabling remote participation in the Nomaoi

3. Future Vision for the Soma Nomaoi

🔹 A Festival Evolving While Preserving Tradition

The Soma Nomaoi is a festival with over 1000 years of tradition, yet it must evolve with the times.

Encourage active participation from younger generations to pass traditions to the next generation

Preserve equestrian culture and improve horse maintenance and breeding environments

Establish sustainable funding models to stabilize festival operations

Utilize digital technology to convey the appeal of the Nomai to a wider audience

Attract domestic and international tourists to revitalize the entire region

Summary

To safeguard the future of Soma Nomai, it is crucial to inherit traditions while adapting to the new era.

✅ Enhance educational and experiential programs to encourage younger generations to participate

✅ Improve horse acquisition and breeding environments while establishing a horse ownership system

✅ Secure funding through hometown tax donations and crowdfunding

✅ Leverage SNS, web, and digital technologies