42 Weird Things in Japan That You Can Only Try Here

Each year on May 5th, Japan hosts one of its most endearing and unusual traditions: the Naki Sumo Festival. In a packed ring, burly sumo wrestlers gently cradle wailing infants—because in this unique competition, tears take the trophy. The first baby to cry is declared the winner, cheered on by a crowd that sees the sobs not as distress, but as a sign of divine protection.

Rooted in the ancient belief that a baby’s cry wards off evil spirits and ensures robust health, the event is equal parts spiritual ritual and joyful spectacle. In Japan, sometimes a good cry is the best blessing of all, turning bawling babies into celebrated symbols of luck, health, and community.