The Okayama Naked Festival brought thousands of nearly naked men together once again in a centuries-old ritual that left some bruised and three unconscious. Held at Saidaiji Temple in Okayama on Saturday, February 21, 2026, the event drew an estimated 10000 participants who stripped down to traditional loincloths for the famous Hadaka Matsuri.
Men gathered from afternoon into the cold night, waiting for the main event. They first purified themselves in icy water before crowding into the temple hall.
Around 10 p.m., the lights turned out or dimmed for a short time, making it dark while priests threw sacred wooden sticks called shingi into the crowd of bodies. The mob rushed forward, pushing and grabbing in a frenetic race for the lucky trinkets that were said to bring good luck and wealth.
The pushing got intense. Six men ended up injured enough to need hospital care, with three knocked out cold. Local police confirmed the incidents happened during the peak of the shoving when visibility dropped and bodies pressed together hard.
Emergency teams responded quickly, and all involved received treatment. Officials noted injuries are common each year from the sheer force of the crowd, though serious cases remain rare.
The festival traces back over 500 years to the Muromachi period. It started as a simple rite with paper talismans thrown for luck. Over time it grew into this large, energetic gathering recognised by the Japanese government as an important intangible cultural property since 2016.
Participants wear only fundoshi, the classic white loincloth, plus tabi socks, leaving little to the imagination in the February chill.
Crowds build from mid-afternoon with side events like drum performances, dances and fireworks along the nearby river. Food stalls sell hot drinks and snacks to help against the cold.
The main hall becomes packed shoulder to shoulder as night falls. When the shingi fly, the room erupts into a 30-minute battle of bodies all reaching for the two prized sticks among bundles of regular ones.
This year the temporary darkness added to the chaos. Lights go off or dim during the throw, letting the frenzy happen in low visibility. Some say it ties to old beliefs about taboos or spiritual release in the shadows. Others just see it as part of the raw energy that defines the night.
Spectators and media capture the scene from safe spots outside. Photos show waves of bare skin under temple lights with arms raised high. The event draws locals, tourists and reporters every time, adding to Okayama’s reputation for bold traditions.
Community leaders and organisers stress safety rules, and medical teams stay on standby. Past years saw occasional trampling or heat issues despite the winter air. This round the injuries stayed limited, and no deaths occurred, something festivals always hope to avoid.
The Okayama Naked Festivalkeeps its place as one of Japan’s most unusual events. It blends ancient beliefs with modern crowds in a display of raw determination and shared ritual. Participants leave with stories, bruises and sometimes the lucky shingi that promises a good year ahead.
Men head home to warm baths and rest. The temple returns to calm until next February when the cycle begins again. In Okayama this festival endures as a living piece of the past that still draws thousands to bare their skin and chase a bit of luck under the winter sky.
