Autumn
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Have you ever heard about a “Hadaka Matsuri” or naked festival? Ohara Hadaka Matsuri is one of them. This is a type of Japanese festivals. So, the participants wear a minimum amount of clothing. Usually, just a Japanese loincloth (Fundoshi), sometimes with a short Happi coat, and rarely completely naked. Naked festivals take place in a lot of places throughout Japan every year, usually in the summer or winter.
The most famous naked festival is the Saidaiji Eyo Hadaka Matsuri that takes place at Saidaiji Temple in Okayama prefecture where the festival originated. Every year, over 9,000 men participate in this festival hoping to gain good luck for the entire year. So, if you have an opportunity, don’t miss it and visit the festival.
In this article, I would like to introduce you to the Hadaka Matsuri held in Ohara, Isumi city, Chiba prefecture. Isumi city is located in the eastern part of Boso peninsula and is a prosperous fishing city so far. Thus, it’s a great place to try fresh seafood products including local special dishes.
Ohara Hadaka Matsuri
This festival originates in the Edo period and is famous for being the most courageous and dynamic in the Kanto Area. The highlight of this festival is the performance called “Shiofumi” (汐ふみ), which is held at 14:30 on September 23, 2018.
18 groups of village people gather at Ohara beach and pray for bumper crops and abundant catch. Then, after their prays, “Shiofumi” performance usually starts. Village men wrapped in white cotton cloths called “Sarashi” on their bellies start running vigorously towards the beach. Besides, people carry 18 Mikoshi (portable shrines) the beach as well. Above all, the scene when the villagers struggle with one another roughly carrying a Mikoshi looks very brave and heroic.
After people and portable shrines reach the Ohara center mall, they keep on parading towards the final venue – Ohara elementary school while singing traditional songs. At the school, the farewell ceremony performance, which is another highlight, takes place. People carrying Mikoshi energetically run and rush around the school playground competing with other portable shrines. So, It looks like the portable shrines are unwilling to separate from each other. As a result, people who are watching the festival must feel passion and gentleness for portable shrines’ carriers from a small seaside town. Besides, a lot of their fans visit the festival every year.
Isumi – a City of Fresh Seafood
Ise-ebi (Lobsters)
The waters around the city is a fishing ground where the cold stream called Oyashio and the warm stream called Kuroshio mix with each other. So, Isumi city turned out to become a center of lobster production of Chiba prefecture. Lobsters caught in this offing grow up in raging waves, so they taste exceptionally good. At all the points such as color, size, and gloss, Lobsters from Isumi are ones of the best. Its’ rich taste is highly valued on the market.
Madako Octpus
Octopuses from Isumi are said to be one of the two best Japanese octopuses along with those caught in Akashi in Hyogo prefecture. Thus, this product is not easy to find in many places except local upmarkets or high-grade restaurants. These octopuses are called “Taito・Ohara san Madako”. Especially, those caught in December and January taste soft, sweet, and al-dente, and are appraised to be exquisite by professionals.
Ihachi Meshi
In Isumi there are 15 authorized restaurants called “Ihachi Meshi”. At those restaurants, you’d rather try dishes with local rice from Isumi and fresh vegetables and fish from the waters of the town. They use more than 8 ingredients in one dish, so don’t miss an opportunity to try it.
Details and Access
Dates: September 23rd & 24th every year
Places：
Shiofumi performance: Ohara Kaisuiyoku-jyo, beach
Address: Nitta wakayama fukahori aichi, Isumi-shi, Chiba Prefecture
Farewell ceremony performance: Ohara elementary school
Address: 8530-3, Ohara, Isumi-shi , Chiba Prefecture
Access：
20 minutes on foot to Ohara Kaisuiyoku-jyo, beach from JR Ohara station
10 minutes on foot to Ohara elementary school from JR Ohara station
Closing Remarks
There are a lot of places which hold Hadaka Matsuri in Japan. However, this festival provides you with unique opportunity to enjoy watching half-naked Japanese men running at the beach and carrying a Mikoshi. Please visit Isumi city during the festival, join the celebration and enjoy local seafood!
If you would like to discover this amazing festival and Chiba prefecture with a friendly local guide, please check the banner below!
Would You Like to Know More Naked Festivals in Japan?
Naked festivals provide you with a unique opportunity to get acquainted with Japan and its traditions. Hadaka matsuris are probably one of the most energetic, colorful and weird events among all Japanese festivals. Thus, you must guess that this festival is one of many nude festivals in Japan. As naked festivals are an important traditional and cultural feature in Japan, almost every area and prefecture can boast their unique hadaka matsuri. If you are curious about strange and nude festivals around Japan, the following article picked ten best festivals for you to visit!
URL: https://festivalgo.huber-japan.com/events/4281/
Discover Chiba Prefecture!
Chiba Prefecture is a great place to visit and can boast plenty of tourist attractions. Besides, it is very close to Tokyo, and you can easily visit it within a day. However, would you like to see rural Japan? Chiba Prefecture gives you a unique opportunity to visit a land of hot springs and admire authentic traditional Japan. The following article assembled the best festivals and activities to enjoy in Chiba Prefecture, which will make your trip to Japan even more rewarding!
URL: https://festivalgo.huber-japan.com/events/events/best-festivals-things-chiba-prefecture
An Ultimate Idea Source for Your Tokyo Stay!
Most of the travelers who come to Japan enter the country through Tokyo. Even if it is not the main place of your destination, it would be a great idea to stay in the capital city for a few days. The biggest conglomerate in the world has much to offer to any kind of traveler. Whether you want to go sightseeing, shopping, eating out, or trying something special that you can experience only in Japan, Tokyo has it all. In the following article, you will find 100 things and many ideas on how to spend your time in Tokyo! Please, have a look!
What is Mikoshi?
If you were ever wondering about Japanese festivals, you probably came across Mikoshi. Mikoshi is an essential part of any Japanese, religious matsuri, and it is hard to even imagine a traditional festival scene without it. If you would like to know more about Japanese traditional festival culture and find out what Mikoshi is, the next article is for you. Please click on the link to check it out!
URL: https://festivalgo.huber-japan.com/events/5678/
Would You Like to Know How to Enjoy a Japanese Festival Even More?
A lot of people when they get to a Matsuri for the first time feel a bit lost. They confuse about what is happening around. If you are new to Japanese Festivals or want to know an alternative way of how you can enjoy these events, the following article will provide you with a set of helpful tips on how to choose a proper festival and activities you should try there. Please don`t hesitate to take a look at it!