Participants, dressing in white loincloth, serving as a thong, pose for a photograph prior to taking part in the Hadaka Matsuri, at Saidaiji Temple, Okayama, Japan, Feb. 16, 2019. Hadaka Matsuri is a naked festival held annually across the country. The most famous ones are held at Saidaiji Temple, Okayama, where participants fight for sacred wooden sticks thrown by a priest on the evening of the third Saturday in February. This year, some 9,000 men have gathered for the sticks, the symbol of happiness and good fortune for the year to come. [Photo: VCG]"

Participants clean their bodies with cold water before heading to Saidaiji Temple to take part in the Hadaka Matsuri, in Okayama, Japan, Feb.16, 2019. It is the most famous one among all Hadaka Matsuris, where people fight for the sacred wooden sticks representing happiness and good fortune in the freezing cold. [Photo: VCG]"

Participants wait for sacred sticks to be thrown by priests, at Saidaiji Temple, Okayama, Japan, Feb.16, 2019. [Photo: VCG]"

Participants fight for a vantage point before the priest throws the sacred sticks, at Saidaiji Temple, Okayama, Japan, Feb. 16, 2019. [Photo: VCG]"

Participants shove and huddle for sacred sticks after the priest threw them at Saidaiji Temple, Okayama, Japan, Feb. 16, 2019. [Photo: VCG]"

Participants shove and huddle for sacred sticks after the priest threw them at Saidaiji Temple, Okayama, Japan, Feb. 16, 2019. [Photo: VCG]"