On the night of the 20th, the coldest day of the year, in Miyota Town, Nagano Prefecture, a traditional event called ``Kan no Mizu'' was held in Miyota Town, Nagano Prefecture, where men in loincloths doused themselves in cold water to pray for good health.
``Kan no Mizu'' is an event that has continued for a long time in the Kusakoshi area of Miyota Town, and is held every year on the night of the Great Cold Day.
On the night of the 20th, which was the first regular event held in four years after the coronavirus pandemic, 27 men wearing red loincloths and straw crowns called ``usagi'' headed for the local Kumano Shrine.
Despite the falling snow, the participants repeatedly drank cold water from water troughs placed along the way and covered their bodies with chants.
When they arrived at the shrine, they removed the rabbit hood from their heads and offered it as an offering, praying for good health and a bountiful harvest for the coming year.
A man in his 20s from Miyota Town who participated said, ``The water was cold, but it felt good.I feel like I was able to become a real man at this important event for local men.''