Hadaka Matsuri 裸祭り
Naked Man Festival in Okayama (3rd Sat in Feb)
A festival that has gained attention and notoriety due to international news interest, Saidaiji Kannon-in Temple’s Naked Man Festival in Okayama prefecture is considered one of the oldest festivals in Japan.
Held on the third Saturday in February, thousands of near-naked men - clad only in traditional loincloths - face the cold to compete for sacred offerings said to bring great prosperity and fortune.
It’s a bit of a misnomer - nobody is completely naked - but definitely a raucous enjoyable event that won’t be forgotten.