Kanamara Matsuri — the steel phallus festival
Matsuri — fertility and health · Kanayama Sanctuary, Kawasaki, Japan
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The festival
A giant steel phallus worn in procession — for fertility, health and good cause. At Kawasaki Kanayama Shrine, huge phallus (mikoshi) are worn in palanquin, including the famous pink mikoshi "Elizabeth", offered by a transvestite club, between lollipops, vegetable sculptures and costumes.
Behind humor, a true background: the sanctuary has been invoked since Edo's time for fertility, safe delivery and protection against sexually transmitted diseases — the local legend tells a young woman delivered from a demon thanks to a steel phallus forged by a blacksmith. Today, the festival also collects funds for HIV/AIDS research and celebrates diversity. Its current form dates back to 1969.
Good to know
Organized by the Kanamara Matsuri Executive Committee and the Kanayama Shrine; "tens of thousands of visitors," according to TravelBeginsAt40. Date 2027 retained: Sunday, April 4 (Wikipedia, Japanistry and Japanden agree); only one guide announces April 5 — to be re-checked early 2027. Photo credit: © Stealth3327 — CC0, via Wikimedia Commons.