One of the reasons I like Japan so much is the fact that people know how to have fun. :)
On January 15th, in the Tokamachi City, Niigata Prefecture, a very happy festival takes place, the Mukonage Festival, the tossing of the grooms.
The recently married men are tossed from a cliff into a snowbank, for good luck in the marriage.
Afterwards, in a festival called Suminuri, the family members paint each other’s faces with ash obtained from burning sacred earth mixed with snow, for protection against evil spirits.
A couple of videos from the festival:
For photos, visit the Mukonage Festival website, and if you wish to participate, you can find the location of the festival on the Enjoy Niigata website. :)
