Ohara Hadaka Matsuri

September 23, 2025. It was a Japanese holiday, my wife and I decided to travel to Chiba to document the Ohara Hadaka Matsuri. We woke up at 3 a.m. to catch the 4:30 a.m. first train, facing a three-hour journey from our station in Saitama. The decision was last-minute because my day off happened to align with the festival, and I couldn’t pass up the chance. The night before, I rushed to charge my camera batteries and pack my gear, preparing myself for what would be my very first visit to this event I had only seen in photographs online.

Getting there wasn’t easy. After arriving, we still had to walk about 30 minutes to the first venue, where participants were preparing. With no buses available, we joined the festival goers on foot, sharing in their anticipation. We skipped the second venue and headed straight to Ōhara beach, where the final performance would take place. It turned out to be the right choice, witnessing the energy and scale of the festival firsthand was rewarding. After seven years of working in Japan, this year finally gave me the chance to return to building personal projects outside of my day job, and this experience reminded me why I love documenting cultural traditions.

A Brief History of the Event

The Ōhara Hadaka Matsuri (大原裸祭り), or Ōhara Naked Festival, is one of Japan’s many hadaka matsuri. During these festivals, men wear only a loincloth (fundoshi) and sometimes a short jacket (happi) as they take part in traditional rituals. Held in Ōhara, Chiba Prefecture, the festival is known for its vigorous processions, dynamic performances, and strong ties to local beliefs surrounding purification, fertility, and community spirit.