Horse riders ascend steps of Hokkaido shrine

Horse riders ascend steps of Hokkaido shrine

HAKODATE, Japan - Members of a riding club in Hakodate, Hokkaido, northern Japan, ride up 134 steps on Hokkaido-bred "dosanko" horses in the precincts of the Hakodate Hachimangu shrine in front of worshippers at an annual event on Jan. 2, 2015.

Dosanko horses ridden to New Year's prayers at Hokkaido shrine

Dosanko horses ridden to New Year's prayers at Hokkaido shrine

HAKODATE, Japan - Dressed in traditional Japanese warrior costume, riders astride Hokkaido-bred Dosanko horses ascend the Hakodate Hachimangu shrine on Jan. 2 to offer New Year prayers for the safety of man and horse. Reputedly strong in leg, the five Dosanko horses taking part in the annual event climb up the 134 stone steps of the Shinto shrine in less than 1 minute. According to Shigeru Ikeda, owner of the Dosanko Farm horse-riding club in Hakodate, there are about 1,000 Dosanko horses in Hokkaido today, while an estimated 100,000 Dosanko roamed free in Hokkaido in the late 19th century.

Dosanko horses ridden to New Year's prayers at Hokkaido shrine

Dosanko horses ridden to New Year's prayers at Hokkaido shrine

HAKODATE, Japan - Dressed in traditional Japanese warrior costume, riders astride Hokkaido-bred Dosanko horses ascend the Hakodate Hachimangu shrine on Jan. 2 to offer New Year prayers for the safety of man and horse. Reputedly strong in leg, the five Dosanko horses taking part in the annual event climb up the 134 stone steps of the Shinto shrine in less than 1 minute. According to Shigeru Ikeda, owner of the Dosanko Farm horse-riding club in Hakodate, there are about 1,000 Dosanko horses in Hokkaido today, while an estimated 100,000 Dosanko roamed free in Hokkaido in the late 19th century. (Kyodo)

Horse riders ascend steps of Hokkaido shrine

Horse riders ascend steps of Hokkaido shrine

Members of a local horse riding club atop Hokkaido-bred "dosanko" horses ascend the steps of Hakodate Hachimangu shrine in an annual event in Hakodate, Hokkaido, on Jan. 2, 2017. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Horse riders ascend steps of Hokkaido shrine

Horse riders ascend steps of Hokkaido shrine

Members of a local horse riding club atop Hokkaido-bred "dosanko" horses ascend the steps of Hakodate Hachimangu shrine in an annual event in Hakodate, Hokkaido, on Jan. 2, 2017. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo