Nozawa Onsen Fire Festival

Held on January 15th each year in the small ski village of Nozawa Onsen, this unique festival features a dramatic battle over a wooden shrine set ablaze by villagers. Men aged 25 and 42, considered unlucky ages in Japanese tradition, defend the structure from being burned down by others wielding torches. It’s a lesser-known event symbolizing purification and protection from misfortune.