Dosojin Fire Fesitval, Nozawa Onsen

Dosojin Fire Fesitval is held on January 15th each year in Nozawa Onsen, Nagano Prefecture.
A “shaden” or temporary shrine is built of beach wood and then the town’s 42 year old men (an unlucky age) sit on the top. The town’s 25 year old men (another unlucky age), drunk with sake, stand at the base of the shrine. Local men and boys carrying flaming torches try to set fire to the shaden while the drunken 25 year olds must protect them by hitting the torches with pine branches.
The battle goes on until flames take hold of the shaden and the 42 year old men quickly descend by ladder to safety.
The shaden is then engulfed by flames, and everyone staggers home.