Hadaka Matsuri has been called the oddest festival on earth, at over 1250 years the “naked man” festival is also one of the oldest too. However faced with an.
Hadaka Matsuri: Japan’s famed Naked Festival canceled for all but a select few
This time a year ago, thousands gathered for Japan’s annual Hadaka Matsuri also popularly known as the “Naked Festival”– in Okayama prefecture in the southern part of Honshu island.
In today’s climate of social distancing, the video highlights from last year’s event (see above) are a surreal reminder of how much has changed since then.
Also known as Saidaiji Eyo, Hadaka Matsuri takes place on the third Saturday of February at the Saidaiji Kannonin Temple, about a 30-minute train ride from Okayama city. And this year was no exception.
Karla Cripps and Emiko Jozuka, CNN • Updated 22nd February 2021
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(CNN) This time a year ago, thousands gathered for Japan s annual Hadaka Matsuri also popularly known as the Naked Festival in Okayama prefecture in the southern part of Honshu island.
In today s climate of social distancing, the video highlights from last year s event (see above) are a surreal reminder of how much has changed since then.
Also known as Saidaiji Eyo, Hadaka Matsuri takes place on the third Saturday of February at the Saidaiji Kannonin Temple, about a 30-minute train ride from Okayama city. And this year was no exception.
Hadaka Matsuri: Japan s famed Naked Festival cancelled for all but a select few msn.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from msn.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
January 20, 2021
Men prepare to take part in the Naked Man Festival at Saidaiji Temple in Okayama, Japan.
Reuters
One of the oldest – and oddest – festivals in Japan has fallen victim to the coronavirus.
Elders at the Saidaiji Kannonin Temple, in Okayama prefecture in central Japan, have opted to curtail an event that can trace its history back nearly 1,000 years and typically attracts upwards of 10,000 jostling men clad only in the “fundoshi” loincloths more commonly worn by sumo wrestlers.
The Saidaiji Eyo festival – also known as the Naked Man Festival – will be held on Feb 20, the temple has confirmed, but in a very different format.