The vast majority of festivals in Japan are not unusual. Then, there are some that are referred to as "kisai" (奇祭) or "strange festival." This is one of those.

The "Sominsai" festival, regarded as one of the strangest festivals in Japan, is the latest tradition impacted by the country's aging population crisis that has hit rural communities hard.

Ampotant introduces the culture of strange festivals, kisai, in Japan. Global Voices stands out as one of the earliest and strongest examples of how media committed to building community and defending ...

Beyond the neon cities, Guy finds a side of Japan few outsiders witness. Strange rituals and unforgettable festivals reveal ...

Thousands braved chilly weather Saturday to gather at Japan’s largest and most famous “naked festival” in Okayama prefecture. The event, called “Hadaka Matsuri” in Japanese, is a wild ...

Women take part in a ritual event of naked festival, for the first time in its 1250 years of history, at Owari Okunitama Shrine, also known as Konomiya Shrine, in Inazawa, Aichi Prefecture ...

Somin-sai festival, better known as “naked man festival,” held for the last time, becoming latest Japanese tradition to fall victim to aging population crisis.