A Journey to Awashima

We’ve gathered participant feedback from the recent “Awashima Retreat.” Please take a look at FRC’s activities.

Awashima Retreat: November 1 (Friday) – November 3 (Sunday), 2024 By K.M., Tokyo

I had been riding for only a year and had always dreamed of trail riding. After finding FRC online, I became a member. My first FRC tour was to Awashima, a remote island in Niigata.

In early November 2024, it was unusually warm in Tokyo, but Niigata’s Awashima was chilly and required a jacket. The journey was longer than I expected—it took a full day to get there, traveling by Shinkansen and ferry.

The horses at Awashima Ranch were Dosanko (Hokkaido horses), and they were absolutely adorable. Under the guidance of Tomomi Fujita, a top-class instructor (and former head of equestrian promotion at the National Riding Club Association), they were trained to an amazing standard. Although I was only comfortable trotting before, this was my first time learning to canter. Running on the beach was an emotional experience. I sometimes feel nervous about the height of thoroughbreds, but the smaller Dosanko horses gave me the confidence to canter without fear. When it rained, Mr. Fujita delivered a lecture on the preservation and use of Japan’s native horses, sharing insights into their precarious situation and history. It was a valuable learning opportunity.

At Awashima Ranch, elementary and junior high school students study through a domestic exchange program. They care for the horses and train diligently in riding lessons. A lively young girl who dreams of becoming a jockey, among other enthusiastic students, brought joy and inspiration to everyone around her.

Our accommodations featured an abundance of fresh sashimi and rare fish, along with excellent Niigata sake. I also enjoyed warming up at a nearby hot spring. The other participants on this tour were wonderful, and I had so many great conversations about horses. It made for a truly delightful experience.

Awashima is a place I’d love to visit again if I get the chance.