Wakamiya Hachiman Shrine Autumn Festival

Over 900 years old, this is one of three Hadaka Matsuri in Japan where participants wear only a loincloth called a shimekomi and socks, regardless of the autumn cold. The three-day festival centers on a portable shrine carried from Wakamiya Hachiman Shrine, paraded through neighborhoods, then brought across the frigid Katsura River while a 16-meter torch called Otaimatsu burns from the Odama Bridge, lighting the procession from shore. Taiko drums and crowd noise accompany the men through the water. The mikoshi rests two nights before being returned along the same river route, with the torch lit once more for the crossing.