Japan, rich in millennial traditions and unique rituals, is home to some of the most curious and captivating festivals in the world. For curious travellers and lovers of cultural discoveries, these events are off the beaten track and offer a fascinating look at local customs. Here’s an overview of the most unusual Japanese festivals, celebrating straw birds, crying babies, demons and much more.
Kasedori : The men straw birds of Yamagata
Every year, on 11 February, the city of Kaminoyama in the Yamagata prefecture hosts the Kasedori festival, where some 30 men dressed only in straw costumes walk through the streets. Their screams, imitating the birds, resonate in the cold winter air while the spectators spray them with ice water.
This festival, dating back to the Edo era, is a collective prayer for prosperity and fire prevention. The spectators pick up the fallen strands of straw, considered to be lucky. Girls, on the other hand, tie these strands in their hair to hope for greater beauty.
Location: Kaminoyama, Yamagata
Date: 11 February
Entry: Free
Fertility Festivals: A symbolic celebration
Fertility festivals in Japan often feature phallic objects and sculptures, symbols of fertility and good harvests. These events, sometimes surprising for foreign visitors, take place in several parts of the country, mainly in the spring.
Among the most famous, Kanamara Matsuri in Kanagawa attracts crowds with bold processes and decorations. Tagata Matsuri, in Aichi Prefecture, highlights a huge phallic sculpture worn by 42-year-old men, an age considered critical according to local beliefs.
Recommendations:
- Kanamara Matsuri: Kanagawa (1st Sunday of April)
- Tagata Matsuri: Aichi (15 March)
- Dontsuku MatsuriShizuoka (September or October)
Nudity Festivals: Getting Close to Spirits
The so-called “Hadaka” festivals are not just an excuse to undress. These Shinto rituals aim to return to a state of purity and innocence. Participants, mainly men, wear fundoshi (traditional spain) and participate in physical tests, often in extreme conditions.
In Okama, the Saidai-ji Eyo festival attracts thousands of participants who fight to catch sacred sticks thrown into the crowd. In Aichi, the Konomiya Hadaka festival includes ice baths and impressive processes.
Top festivals:
- Saidai-ji Eyo: Okama (3rd Saturday of February)
- Konomiya Hadaka: Aichi (date according to lunar calendar)
Nakizumo : The fights of crying babies
Nakizumo, a baby weeping festival, combines sumo elements and rituals designed to bless children. In this event, babies dressed in traditional costumes are worn by sumos and opposed in a kind of duel… where the winner is the one crying the loudest.
The aim of this festival is to protect children from bad spirits and help them grow strong and healthy. Nakizumo festivals are held throughout the country, but those in Tokyo (Asakusa) and Hiroshima (Gokoku Shrine) are particularly popular.
Dates: April to October, according to the regions
Famous examples:
- Asakusa NakizumoTokyo (April)
- Hiroshima Gokoku Shrine NakizumoHiroshima (May)
Demolition Festivals: Mythological Creatures Honour
Japanese demons, or oni, occupy a central place in many festivals. These scary creatures, often red or green with horns, are either invoked to keep the wrong spirits away, or hunted in dramatic rituals.
In Nara, the Oni Hashiri Festival features demons running in the streets to protect the inhabitants from evil. On the other hand, during Setsubun, a national festival, the Japanese cast soy seeds by shouting “Oni wa soto!” (demon out) to hunt bad luck.
Festivals not to be missed:
- Oni Hashiri: Nara (14 January)
- Namahage Sedo: Akita (February)
Fire Festivals: A Spectacular Purification
Fire, a symbol of purification and renewal, is at the heart of several impressive festivals in Japan. These events often combine danger and beauty, with captivating pyrotechnic demonstrations.
The Nozawa Onsen Fire Festival is one of the most spectacular. The inhabitants build a large wooden structure and participate in torch battles to try to fire, all in a festive and ritual atmosphere. In Omihachiman, the festivities include dances near burning structures, while at the Kebesu Festival, participants brandish sticks inflamed in dangerous but hypnotic demonstrations.
Top festivals:
- Nozawa Onsen Fire Festival: Nagano (15 January)
- Omihachiman Sagicho: Shiga (mid-March)
- Kebeu Festival: Oita (14 October)
These festivals reflect the diversity and richness of Japanese customs, oscillating between joyful celebrations, purification rites and tributes to the spirits. For travellers seeking unique experiences, attending one of these events is an open door to fascinating ancestral practices.
Plan your visit carefully, as these festivals often attract large crowds and sometimes require a special reservation or preparation. To facilitate your travel and better understand local traditions, using a travel planner specialized in Japan can be a valuable asset. Don’t hesitate to explore these magical moments to immerse yourself fully in Japanese culture.
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