Daito Ohara Mizukake Festival

Men, almost naked, bravely run in the streets praying for a life free of fire and diseases and for the safety of their families while being splashed with cold water by people waiting for them on the roadside. This traditional festival, which has been continuing for 350 years, is also known as one of the most eccentric festivals in Japan because it is held in the extremely cold month of February. During the festival, people are waiting for the participating men holding buckets to splash them with cold water while making wishes. The leading man, who represents misfortune, holds a flag with the message “prayer for fire prevention”. In recent years, many people from all over the country come to participate in this winter festival that is the symbol of Ichinoseki City and Iwate.