Elementary school students participated in horseback archery for Children’s Day

celebration at Tonogo-Hachimangu shrine in northern Japan on May 5.

Children’s Day is a Japanese public holiday that celebrates the health and growth of

children.

This year’s event saw the largest participation to date, with 18 children competing.

They shot their arrows at 3 targets along the 110-meter course.

Local kindergarteners followed each successful shot with a cheer on the stage

microphone.

Tonogo-Hachimangu shrine, dating back to 1189, has a long history of practicing

mounted archery as a form of religious activity.