Naked Festival, Japan

Konomiya Hadaka Matsuri (裸祭り)

Get ready for one of Japan’s most unique and exhilarating festivals: the Owari Ōkunitama Shrine Hadaka Matsuri, also known as the Konomiya Naked Festival! Held annually in mid-February, this centuries-old event in Inazawa, Aichi Prefecture, brings together thousands of brave men clad only in white loincloths to participate in a bold and ancient purification ritual. The festival’s highlight is the pursuit of the Shin-Otoko, or “Lucky Man,” with the belief that touching him transfers participants’ bad luck and misfortune onto him. It’s a wild, high-energy spectacle that’s deeply rooted in tradition, and it draws crowds from all over Japan.

Beyond the adrenaline-pumping chase, the festival embodies a deeper spiritual significance, symbolizing the cleansing of negative energy and the welcoming of good fortune for the year ahead. Visitors can experience an atmosphere charged with excitement, while also getting a rare glimpse into Japan’s rich cultural heritage. If you’re up for some mid-winter thrills, the Konomiya Naked Festival is an unforgettable adventure!