Observe the most unusual and bizarre celebrations in Japan

If you ever come to the land of cherry blossoms, you will understand why Japan is considered one of the most interesting countries. Not only impressed by the unique customs, the strange festivals in Japan will surely make you remember once and for all.

Top 7 most unique and interesting strange festivals in Japan

Exploring Japanese culture is something not to be missed when coming to this country. As the intersection of two Asian and European civilizations, Phu Tang is famous for its strange, unique and meaningful festivals.

Check out the top 7 strange festivals in Japan right here:

Nabe Kanmuri

The first strange festival in Japan that needs to be mentioned is called Nabe Kanmuri. Nabe Kanmuri also has another very lovely nickname, the pot festival. This is a special event that only takes place on May 3 every year at Chimuka Shrine, Shinga Prefecture, Japan, attracting a large number of attendees.

Nabe Kanmuri has ancient origins consisting of a group of people walking along Lake Biwa. Among them, 8 girls will be dressed in green, with a pot-shaped headpiece and makeup face. The helmet shaped like a pot symbolizes sincerity, offerings to the gods, wishes for luck and thanksgiving for a bountiful harvest.

Going to see the pot team festival, you will understand a part of Japanese folklore, in addition to the parade, there is also an incense offering ceremony, singing, and extremely attractive traditional games. Don’t forget to buy yourself cute pot-shaped keychains like a lucky charm.

Pot team festival. Source: Dan Tri

Akutai Matsuri (Curse Festival)

Besides the pot festival, Japan also has another weird festival called Akutai Matsuri – curse festival. The origin of Akutai Matsuri dates back about 200 years, in the Edo period, when workers were under too much pressure and needed to scream to relieve stress.

The Akutai Matsuri is held on the top of Saishoji – a high mountain with 13 monks dressed as Tengu yōkai. The participants’ job is to shout, curse, curse, and insult these monks to get rid of karma, in exchange for good luck for themselves.

According to custom, Akutai Matsuri will be held at the end of the year and lasts until early spring. The Japanese government strongly encourages people to come here to relieve their burden, receive psychological treatment, and encourage the spirit of work. It is also one of the most beloved exotic festivals in Japan.

The Akutai Matsuri is also known as the curse ceremony. Source: Patriotic Japan

Crying Sumo Festival – strange festival in Japan 400 years ago

When traveling to Japan in the summer, you will have the opportunity to go to the Naki Sumo Festival. The festival surprised international friends by being too weird. Crying sumo appeared 400 years ago, derived from the famous line “Naku ko wa sodatsu” – the louder the child cries, the faster he eats.

How does Naki Sumo Festival take place? Not a physical race, nor a mind game. The sumo appears only to make the child cry for as long as possible. As is customary, there will be each pair of sumo holding 2 children competing together. The sumo’s job is to make the baby cry by wearing scary masks, making loud noises…

The child who cries the longest, the longest along with that sumo will be the winner. Although it is an interesting custom, crying sumo is reflected by many organizations as affecting and creating a psychological shadow for children.

The longer babies cry, the faster they will eat. Source: Studying in Japan

Festival of Navels (Hokka Heso)

Strange festivals in Japan always create a feeling of comfort and fun for attendees and Hokka Seo is such a festival. Hokka Seo originated from Furano city – central Hokkaido province and many people consider it. that is the navel of this land. In 1969, the Furano city committee decided to organize a very unique festival around the theme of the navel.

Hokka Heso is a procession of many healthy young men who are naked and cover their faces. Their belly and especially their navel will be illustrated with various shapes. For example smileys, caricatures, devils or animals. The boys will dance a traditional Furano dance, amusing the audience even and wearing skirts.

Young people will go barefoot and draw pictures on the navel. Source: Japanese Culture

Navel festival with the meaning of honoring and remembering the achievements of Furano city. At the same time, it is also a wish for a future of abundant health and success for local people.

Navel festival in Japan. Source: us

Laughing Festival (Warai Matsuri)

The Warai Matsuri Laughing Festival is one of the top strange festivals in Japan that will surprise you. Warai Matsuri comes from the Nyu Shrine in Wakayama Prefecture which was recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2002.

As the name implies, coming to Warai Matsuri, you will laugh non-stop by games, events and comedy shows. A performance of 12 people with one person playing the role of a clown, they walked while laughing and tossing coins in the sky. Arriving at Nyu temple, they all continued to laugh in front of the god altar and drink a cup of wine.

Japan is a country with a very high suicide rate. Warai Matsuri is a bizarre festival but has a very good stress reliever effect. The festival brings joy, good luck, especially in the spiritual aspect to attendees.

Warai Matsuri Festival. Source: Studying in Japan

Strange Festival in Japan Slient Bon

If the crying Sumo festival is too loud, the Warai Matsuri is too noisy, then Slient Bon is a festival without any noise. Why is that? Originally, Slient Bon was a very lively traditional festival, but in 2009, when neighbors complained that it was too noisy, the local government decided to change, the festival became silent from there.

Without making too much noise, everyone who attends Slient Bon tries to minimize noise, sings and dances without music and no one communicates with anyone. It is this uniqueness that makes it attract more and more participants, even having a contest to see who is silent and meditates the longest.

According to Japanese travel experience, the Slient Bon festival will be very suitable for those who love the quiet.

Silent Bon Festival. Source: Newspapers

Shukatsu . Festival

Is there any strange festival in Japan? Choose the Shukatsu festival now to get a death test. At this place, you will experience the life of eating, sleeping, listening to Buddhist scriptures like a real dead person within 2-3 days. It sounds scary, but the Japanese love it and choose Shukatsu as a destination.

Outside of the creepy element, Shukatsu has a very human meaning. The festival allows the people to experience and understand the customs of ancestor worship, remember their gratitude and move towards a healthy lifestyle that values their lives.