Last Updated: Mar 28, 2023

The Kanamara Penis Festival

Japan’s Strangest Celebration

MAJOR DISCLAIMER! This post is obviously not safe to read at the office or near your grandmother. I take no responsibility for any of the consequences that might stem from the consumption of the following text. That said, if you’ve already clicked on an article with a title like this, chances are that either you’re safe or otherwise don’t give a damn. Regardless, let’s dive on into this bad boy! We’ll be taking a look at the legendary Kanamara Festival or as it is more colloquially known abroad, the “Penis Festival.” Did I say MAJOR DISCLAIMER? Don’t say I didn’t warn you…

The Kanamara Festival was first held in 1969 at the minuscule Kanayama Shrine. Since that time, the festival has become an infamous worldwide destination thanks in no small part to the clickbait loving foreign press. I mean c’mon, where else can you get lollipops in the shape of the male genitalia? The exact dates of the Kanamara Festival vary from year to year yet the annual celebration is usually hosted on the first Sunday in April. And, for the record, no I am not “dicking” around here; this is no April Fools’ joke!

By now I am sure you are thinking there has to be one hell of a story behind this bizarre festival! Luckily for you, the legend certainly…