Nanokado Hadaka Mairi Festival

Nanokado Hadaka Mairi Festival

Every year on January 7, the Naked Man Festival (Nanokado Hadaka Mairi) is held at Enzoji Temple, Yanaizu Town. During this traditional event - which draws many tourists every year - local men clad in loincloths make the challenging climb of 113 steps to Enzoji Temple, where they climb to the top of the temple via a long rope. Members of the public can participate, although registration in advance is required.

The festival traces its roots back to an ancient legend, telling of a princess who received a wish-granting jewel from a river dragon to tide against crop failures and illness, and a community who banded together on the night of the 7th to prevent the dragon spirit from taking it back. To this day the festival is a rowdy display of hope and community.

Venue Details

Venue Details
Websitehttps://inbound.aizu-yanaizu.com/en/event/
Contact

Yanaizu Tourism Association
(+81) 241-42-2346
utochan@aizuyanaizu.sakura.ne.jp

(+81) 241-42-2346

Best Season
  • Winter
Related infoBest Season
Winter
Access Details
AccessEnzoji Temple, Jikemachi-ko 176, Yanaizu Town, Kawanuma District, Fukushima Pref. 969-7201
View directions
Getting there

By Car: 10 min drive from the Aizubange I.C. exit off the Ban-etsu Expressway (via Route 252)

By Train: 10 min walk from Aizu-Yanaizu Station on the JR Tadami Line

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