Kanamara Matsuri (Festival of the Steel Phallus) in Kawasaki

The Kanamara Matsuri (かなまら祭り, “Festival of the Steel Phallus”), aka the Penis Festival, is a shinto festival celebrating fertility, long marriages and healthy births. It is held each spring at the Kanayama Shrine (金山神社) in Kawasaki, Kanagawa Prefecture, just south of Tokyo. The penis, as the central theme of the event, is reflected in illustrations, candy, carved vegetables, decorations, and a mikoshi parade.

Above, one of the 3 mikoshi (portable shrines) of the parade. This one is called Elizabeth.

Above, ema plaques for the gods.

Above, lollipops shaped like penises and vaginas.

Above, his sign reads “ai” (love).

Above, beginning of the mikoshi parade.

Above, unfortunately, it started raining during the parade.