By omoch mochi mochi and m1719

It was announced that the rainy season was over around  Kanto-area. Recently, it is so hot everyday. I am a little bit sick

from the summer heat.Although the heat is getting to me, I have one thing which I am really exited about. Summer festivals

are around the corner. There are many traditional and historical festivals in Japan like Nebuta-Mtsuri in Aomori , Kyoto-

Gionsai .

However, there are more unique and even stranger festivals. We would like to introduce some of them in the article.

御柱祭(onbashira matsuri)

This matsuri only happens once in 7 years in Nagano. This matsrui is said to be held for the gods of hunting, wind, water and good harvest.

The concept is very simple: People(men) cut down 8 huge trees which are usually about 17 meters in length, 1 meter in diameter, and about 10 tons. Then the participants carry the tree around.

In April, you can see the 「山出し」which consists of the participants pulling the trees down a slope(while riding on it), and in May, you can see the 「川越」which means participants carrying the trees through a freezing river without wearing a swimsuit.

This matsrui is said to be one of the most ‘strange’ matsruis in Japan, and it is so dangerous a few people have died.