HADAKA MATSURI - THE NAKED MAN FESTIVAL - 裸祭り

🇯🇵 OKAYAMA’S HADAKA MATSURI FESTIVAL 🇯🇵
(Naked Man Festival / Saidaiji Eyo – Japan)
岡山「裸祭り」/ 裸祭り

One of the highlights in Okayama is with no doubt the “Hadaka Matsuri” (translated: Naked Festival) also dubbed as “Naked Man Festival”. Almost 10.000 participants gather on a cold day in mid February to chase some lucky charms tossed by priests into the crowd. A ritual which originated 500 years ago and since then has been celebrated across the whole country of Japan. Okayama’s version is by far the most famous one.

The temple’s grounds are invaded by hundreds of children dressed in loincloth during day time while the late afternoon is dedicated to various dance performance groups. The later it gets the more testosterone hits the air when countless men in loincloth enter the premises. Barely dressed they first take a turn towards a pool filled with ice cold water before they arrive in the temple’s main hall. A priest splashes water on them from the so called Gofuku window. At 22:00 sharp the light goes off and the talismans are thrown into the crowd. The battle begins and the winners are promised twelve months of luck – No wonder everyone wants to snatch one of the lucky charms.

We travelled 12.000 kilometers to document the festivities – what you see is the result. Feel free to contact the organizers as foreigners are welcome to participate.

Until then stay dressed and prepare your mind.

Enjoy the clip!

Ps. Also check out the Hadaka Matsuri photo album:
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岡山の動画を楽しんでいただけたでしょうか。裸の男祭りは私たちの2020年の旅行のハイライトでした。私たちの滞在をユニークな経験にしてくれたすべての日本人に感謝します。来年も健康で頑張ってください！

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