The Kanamara Festival originated around Kanayama Shrine—a penis venerating shrine in Kawasaki that was once popular with prostitutes who prayed for protection from sexually transmitted diseases.
The penis festival features, as you might expect, the display of numerous giant phalli, penis-shaped snacks and a mikoshi parade which includes the distinctive pink ‘Elizabeth Mikoshi’ which was donated by a drag queen club called Elizabeth and which is also carried by men in drag.
Photos by David Ishikawa.
| Dates: | |
|---|---|
| Venue: | Kanayama Shrine |
| Entry: | Free |
| Closest station(s): | Kawasaki |
| Area: | Kawasaki |
