Despite smirks and giggles from foreigners, the Japanese people treat this festival seriously as it supposed to have deep meaning of it. The story goes back to 1600s, when local sex workers would pray for protection from sexually diseases at this shrine, where the current festival is held.
Nevertheless, it is still a penis festival, and there are penis hats, penis puppets, penis candles and penis lollipops. So you won’t be disappointed if you want to see some of these funny objects. It is one of the ten events not to miss in April according to BBC.
For people who want to check out this forward-thinking Kanamara Shinto shrine in Kawasaki, Japan, the closest station is Keikyukawasaki.
