Participants of Naked Man festival are carrying a big bamboo pole, wrapped in long pieces of cloth as well as sake packs on Saturday, February 20, 2016.
Sake helps participants to stay warm during cold weather. The festival organised by Konomiya Shrine, takes place annually on January 13th of the lunar calendar. It is one of the oldest festivals in Japan. Since the old days, the participants are men only, mostly of the ages 24, 42 and 61, which are considered unlucky in Japan. By taking part in the festival they are hoping to avoid the bad luck throughout the coming year.