Kirk here with a map of the parade route tomorrow, which I found here:
https://nikko-kumamoto.co.jp/_data/files/2024/09/11/abbeef1fe6c27751131f7b02a35110a6a93c911d.pdf or https://fujisakigu.or.jp/reitaisai/koutsukisei/
Check the URLs for the afternoon map.
It starts at (A) on the map (Fujisakigu Shrine) and proceeds to Otabisho, north of (I). The area with dark red lines near G is where “horse chasing” (umaoi) occurs. I feel rather conflicted about promoting it, especially because I fear that some of the horses are likely to suffer from heat exhaustion tomorrow, but as I assume that some of you might want to witness the event, I’ll share the following translation of a Japanese-language description:
— start translation — This festival is also called the “Horse Chasing Festival” (umaoi matsuri). On the procession route, the area in front of the Kumamoto branch of the Bank of Japan is referred to as the “Horse Chasing Course” (umaoi course) because groups of horses and their handlers vigorously dash through the town one after another. It’s a must-see spectacle to watch how skillfully they handle the ornately decorated and excited horses. — end translation —
https://www2.myjcom.jp/special/jch/matsuri_hanabi/column/column_05.shtml