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The trip is drawing to an end, but the infamous crying baby festival is happening today. I can’t skip this.

Saturday April 25th, 2026

Good morning, I hope the day is treating you well.

Today we visit Sensō-ji, a temple in Tokyo where babies will be made to cry for their health.

I am awake on this Saturday before the shops are, I see.

The goal for the day is to visit the Naki Sumo Crying Baby Festival.

This festival has been held annually for over four-hundred years.

I am here at the temple early, so let’s take a look around, first.

This must be the place, though I am nervous at how empty it is.

Oh good, this is certainly the spot. I think I’ll wait early so that I can have a nice view.

The stage is ready, and families with babies will be seated around the outside of the ring.

They are beginning to let families in, now.

This baby has no idea what they’re about to witness.

Sumo wrestlers are setting up as well, I believe it’s about to begin.

Oh, and I made a friend from Israel while waiting for the show to start.

We’re both not sure what to make of the festival. We don’t want to be culturally insensitive, but making babies cry does feel mean to our Western sensibilities.

I think they’re ready, now.

First comes the announcements in both Japanese and English, which is a nice surprise.

Judging by the amount of folks in the crowd who aren’t Japanese, I can see why it is done this way.

It does feel unusual that the crowd is set to the back side of the stage, though.

Families are brought up one at a time to introduce their babies.

Some parents cheer-on their children, while others gently display them to the crowd.

Oh! It’s time to scare the kids, I think!

If the sumo wrestlers are not able to make the baby cry by making faces and by bobbing them, then there are devil masks that can be used as a last resort.

It’s mask time for this kid.

I don’t believe the child is scared, though.

On the other side, another mask attempt is happening.

We have a winner!

The crowd cheers!

On the left side of this image you can see the celebrity host and his two children.

They are asked to assist with scaring the children.

The father passes, then the daughter passes, leaving only the son who attempts to induce tears for these babies.

Oh, this baby is not having it.

Maybe if they try monster hands, as well…

Mr. Sumo man. When you’re smiling, I think it may be taking some weight off of the scariness that is being attempted here.

An attempt is made to pass the mask duties.

It is not successful.

This young man’s family will help by holding and passing masks to the boy to assist, though.

Yeah, the crying is getting to me.

This is getting harder to watch.

One part that is fun and that I do enjoy, though, is when they sumo wrestlers hold babies and have them do mock sumo wrestling matches.

I think that I’ve had enough.

I wish these families and their children the best, but it’s becoming more and more uncomfortable for me.

No judgement, I just realize that I’m finding a limit that I didn’t know I had.

The hosts of this event did share that they would be willing to perform it internationally upon invitation. So if you’re having a child and would like to have professionals scare it for its own health, perhaps it is time to bring this event to locations outside of Japan.

I’ll be heading home, soon, so let’s get some shopping for gifts done.

I um…

I went to the Akabane Baka Festival next…

“Baka” means “idiot” in Japanese.

There is a silly dance that includes training for the crowd.

For the second time while in Japan, I faced my fear of dancing in public and I joined.

This was cute.

Back to buying gifts from gachapon machines.

I’m turning in all of the balls into the recycling bins so that I won’t need to throw them away at the hotel or the airport later.

I’m exhausted, and now that the trip is nearly over, I’m beginning to be adjusted to the severe time difference.

Let’s go over the loot in more detail and then we will rest.

Ranma doll on top for myself, and Ryoga doll beneath it for my friend Tony in Michigan.

The character Ryoga is notorious for getting lost, just like Tony.

He’ll get the joke.

Also there’s a Lum doll to the right of Ryoga. It’s for me.

I love Urusei Yatsura. What a fun series.

I had planned to buy playing cards to give away to people at the tabletop gaming group, but they were surprisingly rare at the gift shops.

I found some, but I thought I would find more.

Some Gameboy games for a reasonable price.

I’ve got everything to fit in the suitcase, so we should be good.

Maybe I should have bought a larger one…

One quick hotel snack food item, then it’s off to bed for me.

For all of you Babylon 5 fans out there, you’ll understand this one.

Thanks you for visiting my little blog today.

Cheers.

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