Celebrate 2026's Year of the Horse at Kome to Circus with Rare Horse Meat Delicacies

Kome to Circus, operated by Asia Tokyo World Co., Ltd., is celebrating 2026—the Year of the Horse—with a special culinary festival running from January through the end of February. The festival showcases the restaurant's traditional "Zodiac Fair," where diners can enjoy foods representing the year's zodiac animal to invite good fortune.

2026's featured ingredient is horse meat, which has been revered throughout Japanese history as a symbol of "advancement" and "progress." Horses have also been honored as divine mounts (shinme) in traditional culture. The festival menu includes eight special dishes, ranging from the classic sakura nabe (horse meat hot pot) that has been enjoyed since the Edo period, to exceptionally rare cuts like brain, spinal cord, and sweetbreads. The menu even features Kome to Circus's signature dish: a whole roasted horse penis, designed to bring both surprise and good fortune to diners' tables.

2026 New Year Horse Festival Menu (8 Dishes)

Menu overview

Motsu-iri Sakura Suki Nabe (Horse Hot Pot with Offal)

Sakura nabe hot pot

A traditional dish beloved since the Edo period as an energizing meal. The sweet miso-based broth perfectly enhances the umami of fresh horse meat and offal.

(¥3,580 per person, minimum 2 servings)

Whole Roasted Horse Penis

Roasted horse penis

The most impressive dish in Kome to Circus history! This giant organ is roasted whole. A spectacular centerpiece meant to be shared among friends, celebrating vitality and fortune for the new year.

(¥8,980)

Horse Brain - Salt-Grilled or Tempura

Horse brain dishes

Features a mild aroma and tender texture. Enjoy it simply salt-grilled or as crispy tempura, both highlighting the rich, deep flavor.

(¥1,580)

Salt-Grilled Horse Sweetbreads (Shibire)

Salt-grilled sweetbreads

A rare thymus gland cut. The staff's top recommendation for its unique melting texture, rich sweetness, and fluffy umami.

(¥880)

Sakura Yukhoe (Horse Meat Tartare)

Sakura yukhoe

A perennial favorite for raw meat enthusiasts! Fresh horse meat's natural sweetness pairs beautifully with the house-made sauce.

(¥1,400)

Horse Aorta Sashimi (Korikori Sashi)

Horse aorta sashimi

※Also available salt-grilled (¥800)

A much-requested returning menu item. As the name suggests, this dish offers an addictively "crunchy" (korikori) texture.

(¥1,680)

Horse Heart Sashimi

Horse heart sashimi

A rare cut featuring the heart organ. Completely free of gaminess, it offers a crisp, satisfying bite and clean, refreshing flavor.

(¥1,680)

Horse Spinal Cord with Ponzu

Horse spinal cord

An ultra-rare cut you'll rarely encounter! Its smooth, slippery texture pairs perfectly with refreshing ponzu sauce—a dish that pairs excellently with drinks.

(¥780)

※All prices include tax.

Why Horse Meat?

Horse meat is a nutritional powerhouse, offering high protein, low calories, and abundant iron—perfect for modern health-conscious diners. It contains significantly more glycogen than beef or pork, a nutrient that aids in fatigue recovery and concentration. The meat's appeal lies in the rich umami of the lean cuts combined with the subtle sweetness of the fat.

Culturally, horses have long been considered auspicious in Japan. The word for horse (uma) connects to the phrase "things going well" (umaku iku), and the "left-facing horse" (hidari-uma) character is traditionally displayed as a symbol of good fortune.

At Kome to Circus, the goal is to expertly prepare rare cuts that don't typically circulate in the market, offering diners exciting encounters with new food cultures.

Interior atmosphere