Ohara Hadaka Festival

About this event

When the autumn breeze begins to blow, the minds of the people in the Ohara district are filled with thoughts of the 'Naked Festival.' A traditional autumn festival where the entire community unites in excitement, the 'Ohara Hadaka Festival' is a magnificent two-day festival held annually in late September. With many passionate fans who feel both the intensity and warmth of the palanquin bearers, the festival attracts large crowds every year. Known as one of the grandest festivals in the Kanto region, the Ohara Hadaka Festival stirs powerful emotions. One of the highlights of the festival is 'Shiofumi,' held on the first day at Ohara Beach. Praying for bountiful harvests and abundant catches, over a dozen mikoshi (portable shrines) are carried into the sea all at once and jostle against one another. Boldly and valiantly, the mikoshi race through the waves and are hoisted high into the air. The climax of the festival is the 'Great Farewell Ceremony' (Owakare-shiki) held on both days. As dusk falls, all the mikoshi gather in front of Kidoizumi Brewery, parade along Ohara Central Shopping Street accompanied by festival chants, and head toward the Ohara Elementary School grounds. The approximately one-kilometer shopping street becomes packed with spectators and mikoshi, fully engulfed in the festival atmosphere. Upon entering the school grounds, the mikoshi dash around the yard with full force as if in a race, and are hoisted high into the sky. When fireworks illuminate the autumn night sky, the mikoshi draw close together, and the bearers, reluctant to part, sing: 'Young ones, parting is hard; if only there were meetings without partings.' The Ohara Hadaka Festival is believed to date back to the Edo period, with established customs and organizational structures documented 160 years ago during the Tenpo era. At that time, it was cherished as the residents' greatest annual event. Originally held from August 13 to 15, the schedule was changed to September 23 to 25 starting in 1873 (Meiji 6) following calendar reform, and was later set to two days on September 23 and 24 from 1913 (Taisho 2). Today, it takes place over two days centered around the Autumn Equinox Day on September 23. In 1973 (Showa 48), when the mikoshi and bearers performed in the opening ceremony attraction of the 28th National Sports Festival, the festival came to be known by its current name 'Ohara Hadaka Matsuri,' drawing widespread attention from outside neighboring regions.

Venue

Ohara

Ohara, Isumi, Chiba 298-0004