A small town in the middle of Japan is transformed into a noisy and vibrant one every year at the beginning of February. Hokoin Temple is a gathering place of hundreds of men in Ogaki City where they come to participate in the notorious Naked Festival.
They run naked wearing nothing but white loin cloths and headbands and head towards the cold Kuisegawa River. It is cruel weather, the water is freezing, but everything is electric and full of life.
An Ancient Winter Ritual
The festival takes place on the 3rd of February and is associated with Setsubun which is an old tradition that heralds the transition between winter and spring. According to local people, this season of the year is significant in terms of fresh homes.
The river ceremony is to rid oneself of bad omen and to have good luck. Although the game is extremely ancient, it still has a number of young fans, who want to belong to something important.
Prior to getting into the river, the men meet at the temple grounds. They scream and laugh with their friends and pour water on themselves to warm their bodies to the cold environment. There are those who run on bare feet over the stones, and those who walk slowly, and conserve themselves. It is a serious and at the same time a playful scene.
Cold Water, Loud Cheers
The men enter the river and one can see how the shock of cold water flashes on their faces. Steam is coming up out of the surface as they call and go. Naoya, a local man, claimed that he returned this year because he needed to have a clean start. The nearest Ohbayashi told him that he had come to test his strength and concentration.
Thousands of people fill the riverbanks cheering and capturing photos. There are several tourists who visit only to witness this rare occurrence. A visitor, Lawrence, of Austria, told me that the festival was weird yet happy. He liked the welcoming environment and the opportunity to explore the other side of Japanese culture.
Beyond the River
The river dip is not the culmination of the festival. Priests give rice cakes to the crowd back at the temple, and people are reaching to get one. Charms and amulets are also burned along with old and the smoke and warmth fills the air.
All these combine in order to make a very memorable and strong day filled with tradition, noises, cold, and community in a very unusual manner.
Watch the video here :
More from Wake Up Singapore:-
Wild Bear Charges Moving Car in Japan as Deadly Encounters Rise
Not Sex but Companionship—Japan’s New Marriage Trend, ‘Friendship Marriage’
Japan’s New Dating App for Married Couples Has 350K Users and Counting
If you have a story or a tip-off, email admin@wakeup.sg or get in touch via Whatsapp at 8882 5913.
Interested in advertising on our media channels? Reach out to us at admin@wakeup.sg!
Since you have made it to the end of the article, follow Wake Up Singapore on Telegram and X!
Wake Up Singapore is a volunteer-run site that covers alternative views in Singapore. If you want to volunteer with us, sign up here!
