Updated February 9 2019

Men Bare Souls (& Bodies) for Good Fortune

Men get naked for all kinds of reasons, but this one is quite divine! A festival as old as it is strange, Aomori's Hadaka Mairi (literally "to visit a shrine naked in winter") sees some 30 men strip down in the hopes of good health and good harvest.

By NIPPON TV NEWS 24 JAPAN

This particular festival in Aomori has a history that's over 400 years old! It has a special place in the hearts of the local community, and men participate even when temperatures dip to below freezing.

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NIPPON TV NEWS 24 JAPAN is the English news service of Nippon Television Network, Japan's leading broadcast network. This page provides a selection of the latest news and other stories to keep you informed about what is happening in Japan.