Craziest Festivals in Japan
Japan is a land of unique culture that has evolved over thousands of years. With unique culture like this, throughout the centuries Japanese people have come up with many reasons to celebrate. These celebrations often manifest themselves as “matsuri” (祭り) which translates as “festival” in English. These Matsuri's can range from local summer festivals with dancing and food stalls, to a whole-day parade for a holiday, closing up streets for dancing and performances. However, we have comprised a list of the four most out-of-the-ordinary Matsuri’s (festivals) in Japan that you absolutely must attend before you leave. These festivals mostly only take place once a year, and if you can make it to any of them, it will be a story you will be able to tell for the rest of your life.
Hadaka Matsuri (Naked Festival)
The Hadaka Matsuri (literally, Naked Festival) is one of the most famous festivals in Japan. Held in Okayama, the capital city of Okayama Prefecture, and features nearly 10,000 men and boys in loincloths (so they are not completely naked). The goal of participants in this festival is to retrieve two sacred sticks that are thrown into the crowd.
There are many variations to this festival held all around Japan. This festival, like most, welcomes spectators as they add to the excitement and atmosphere.
Takes Place: Mid-February in Okayama
Setsubun (Bean Throwing Festival)
If you are looking for an opportunity to get rid of evil spirits that may cause you sickness and prevent you from having good fortune, you've come to the right place.
Setsubun is a festival that celebrates the seasonal change and is held in early spring. At this festival, typically taking place at local temples or shrines, you are given roasted soybeans to throw at unsuspecting evil spirits.
Many families also celebrate Setsubun at home, where in most cases, the elder men in the family are designated to wear a demon mask and play the evil spirit. This is a great family activity and is an opportunity to easily engage in a Japanese festival.
Takes Place: Early February, all over Japan.
Onbashira Matsuri (The Log Festival)
One of the most notorious, albeit dangerous festivals in Japan, Onbashira Matsuri, or the Log festival is held in Lake Suwa, Nagano. This festival revolves around the idea of moving a large log, after first cutting it down, sliding it down a hill (riding it, actually!), and finally erecting it next to one of four shrines. Getting the logs down steep slopes involves guiding/pulling them with heavy ropes, and some of the participants ride atop the logs to "prove their bravery". Needless to say, injuries often occur as well as the occasional death. In addition, when erecting the logs, men scale to the top singing traditional festival songs.
Takes Place: Once every six years at Lake Suwa.
Nakizumo Matsuri (Crying Baby Festival)
One of the only places that crying babies are embraced, Naki Sumo Festival welcomes crying babies. This festival is a 400-year tradition, where 2 sumo wrestlers hold up babies and face each other in the sumo wrestling ring, making weird faces to make the other baby cry. It is believed that a loud cry from a baby will scare bad demons away along with their evil karma.
Takes Place: May 5th (Children's Day) at Shinto shrines throughout Japan.
These are just a few on the many festivals that take place throughout the year all across Japan.
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