The Onbashira Festival, held every six (sometimes seven) years at the Suwa Taisha Shrine in Nagano, Japan, is a dangerous, centuries-old tradition and festival. Participants fell and transport 16 massive fir logs, often weighing ten tons, to local hills and then ride them down steep slopes, symbolizing a renewal of the shrine. Every year sees participants taken off to nearby hospitals and, rumor has it, over the past 50 years some 10 participants have been killed.

The next one is planned for 2028 so book your tickets now. Photographs here from the 2004 festival. Plan early, arrive early, find a team willing to let on the mountain (drinking copious amounts of sake for a few nights before hand helps), and learn how argue with Japanese cops (i.e. politely).