West Honshu (Chugoku) Festivals

Saidai-ji Eyo Hadaka Matsuri (Naked Festival at Saidai-ji Temple), February's 3rd Saturday

The most famous of hadaka matsuri (Japan's naked festival) - at the Saidai-ji shrine, the Okayama prefecture. Hundreds of young people only in trouser-like bandages compete in a special shrine part in catching 2 magic wands alleged to bring luck. The priests throw wands from a shrine tower to a crowd of not mere mortals.

Miyajima Kangensai Festival, about June 17 (depending on the lunar calendar)

Old dances and songs are performed on gaily colored boats at the Itsukusima shrine, Miyajima.

Hiroshima Peace Memorial Ceremony [August 6]

In Hiroshima people pray for the souls of the atomic bomb victims.

Nada no Kenka Matsuri (Nada Fighting Festival) [October 14-15]

Held at the Matsubara Hachiman shrine, Himeji. Porter groups compete to lead the parade and enter the shrine first. They try to push each other with a huge portable shrine, mikoshi. It's joyful but dangerous.