Bare cheek as Japan men strip off for naked festival

In this picture taken on February 18, 2017, Buddhist priests attend a prayer session inside Saidaiji temple during the annual Naked Man Festival or 'Hadaka Matsuri' in Okayama, western Japan. -AFP

OKAYAMA: With only a skimpy loincloth to protect their modesty, thousands of men brave freezing temperatures to fight for lucky charms thrown by a priest at Japan’s annual Naked Man Festival.

A writhing mass of sweaty worshippers wrestled for elbow-room inside Saidaiji Temple in Okayama, western Japan, late on Saturday night in the hope of catching the sacred batons.