Nagoya, Ise-Shima, and the Kii Peninsula Feature

Nagoya and the surrounding cities host a wide variety of matsuri (festivals) throughout the year. Running the gamut from chaotic to tranquil and beautiful to bizarre, these annual events bring the culture and traditions of the area to life in ways that castles, museums, and temples cannot. We have picked out a few of the best, but whenever you visit check with the Tourist Information Center or Nagoya International Center for upcoming festivals. All these events are free.

February

Hadaka (Naked) Festival. For 1,200 years, thousands of men aged 23 and 42 (unlucky ages in Japan) have braved the winter cold wearing nothing but fundoshi (loincloths). Their goal, in an event that regularly results in serious injury to participants, is to touch the shin otoko (the one truly "naked man") and transmit their bad spirits to him before he reaches Konomiya shrine and submits to cleansing rituals. Eagerness to achieve this task often leads to dangerous stampedes, but the crowds of more than 100,000 are well protected from harm. The festival is held in the first half of February—contact Nagoya City Tourist Information Center in JR Nagoya Station for details. Konomiya Station is 15 minutes north of Nagoya on the Meitetsu Gifu Line, and the shrine is a 10-minute walk from the station.

March

Honen Festival. The 1,500-year-old Tagata-jinja in Komaki is home to one of Japan's infamous male fertility festivals. On March 15 large crowds gather to watch and take pictures of a 6-foot, 885-pound owasegata (phallus) being carried between two shrines and offered to the kami (god) for peace and a good harvest. The festival starts at 10 am and climaxes with face-size "lucky" rice cakes being tossed into the crowd just before 4 pm. The closest station is Tagata-jinja-mae on the Meitetsu Komaki Line. Change at Inuyama if you are traveling from Nagoya. The train takes one hour.

July

Owari Tsushima Tenno Festival. The main feature of this charming, low-key event is five boats decorated with 365 paper lanterns (for the days of the year) arranged into a circular shape and 12 more (representing the months) hanging from a mast. The festival occurs the fourth Saturday and Sunday in July. Haunting traditional music accompanies the boats as they drift lazily around the river and the lanterns and fireworks reflect in the water. Tsushima is 25 minutes west of Nagoya on the Meitetsu Bisai Line. Follow the crowds west from the station for about 15 minutes to the shrine and festival area.

August

Domannaka. More than 20,000 dancers in troupes of up to 150 dancers each arrive from all over Japan to take over Nagoya's streets and public spaces. Started in 1999, this energetic festival has rapidly gained popularity. It mixes hip-hop beats with spiced-up traditional dance moves and colorful costumes. Domannaka takes place over a weekend in late August. The exact dates and locations change from year to year, so get the latest details from Nagoya City Tourist Information Center in JR Nagoya Station.