Japan has losta interesting festival that involves Japanese men running around in their loincloth. For Today’s Japan photo, we shall take a look at one of the most famous hadaka matsuri – Konomiya Hakada Matsuri 国府宮裸祭り which is usually held in early March.

In this exciting photo, you can see everyone is trying their best to touch the Shinotoko, who is the main “protagonist” for this festival. Here’s a little more info on what happens at the Konomiya Hakada Matsuri 国府宮裸祭り and who is the Shinotoko:

Konomiya Hadaka Matsuri in Nagoya is a naked festival held around March. The original purpose of the festival was to drive away a plague. Today it is performed to get rid of bad luck and bring about good luck and good harvests.

One person is chosen to be the lucky symbol of the festival, the Shinotoko. The Shinotoko is completely shaven and unlike his fundoshi (loincloth) brethren, he is completely naked. The other participants chase him in an attempt to touch him in order to receive good luck.

Here’s a youtube clip of this year’s festival: