Also known as Kanamara-sama, this shrine is the site of the Kanamara Festival—Japan’s (and the world’s?) most famous penis festival.

Go through this torii and to the left | Photo by Gregory Lane

The tiny shrine is actually housed within the larger Wakamiya Hachimangu shrine. To find Kanayama Shrine, head to the left of the main Wakamiya Hachimangu prayer hall. The giant phalluses poking out of the ground and the iron anvils (?) will tell you that you’re in the right place.

Just an anvil with a penis attached | Photo by Gregory Lane

Although we agree that penis statues are hilarious, this is a place of worship, so please behave respectfully around the giant penises.

Suggested Activity
Get Tickets To the Samurai Restaurant in Shinjuku (Up to 30% Off)
Experience one of the craziest, most colorful places in Tokyo — the all-new Samurai Restaurant, from the creators of the Robot Restaurant. Get your tickets and sit back for a wild show of lasers, lights, samurai, dancers and other uniquely Japanese weirdness.
Not a toadstool | Photo by Gregory Lane
Phallus at Kanayama Shrine
Darth | Photo by Gregory Lane

When the annual festival is happening, given the close confines and the tiny area taken up by the shrine, the shrine itself is very difficult to access. If you’re in the area, we also recommend checking out Kawasaki Daishi, which is a 10 minute walk away.

Nearby places and attractions