Komaki Travel Guide

 AKtravelers Says:  To say that I went to a Japanese religious ceremony is to severely underplay the Fertility festival at Tagata Shrine. With big p e n i s e s, lots of free sake, and a mochi ball catching competition at the end, it's a great way to do religion! These photos show the actual... 

 AKtravelers Says:  The small Kumano Shrine appears to be quiet throughout much of the year, but is the beginning of the p e n i s parade held in Komaki every March 15. This is where the 600-pound phallus, newly-carved from Japanese cypress, begins its procession. I'm not sure whatthis place... 

 AKtravelers Says:  The opposite of the Tagata Shrine is across town and in the hills: Ogata Jinja, home of the female kami. Here, nestled amidst the blooming spring plum trees, one walks around back to venerate several stones with openings shaped like vaginas. Of course, it is also pleasant to... 

 AKtravelers Says:  Tagata Shrine has been around 1500 year-old, though the buildings and prolific phalluses attract a much younger crowd! Though this shrine was crowded the day I visited because it was destination of the mile-long p e n i s parade, it is a peaceful, prayerful place much of the... 

 o00o Says:  This shrine dedicated to fertility, has collected erotica from all parts of Japan. It is a giggling, slight embarrassment to the local people, but everyone visits it. The courtyard is filled with huge pxnises carved from trees and gigantic wooden vagxnas complete with... 

 o00o Says:  This Bumper Harvest Festival had drawn a large number of Visitors-over 100?C000?@every year-not only from all parts of Japan?C but also from various countries of the world?D 

 o00o Says:  They offer this huge pxnis to Tagata Jinja?C praying for world peace?D The GROWTH of all things, and a bumper crop as well. 

 o00o Says:  At the Bumper Harvest Festival, the villagers carry on their Shoulqers a mikoshi ?iportable shrine?jwhich besars an owasegata?ipenis?j?C60cm?i24'?jacross and 2m?i80'?jlong?Cmade of hinoki (Japanese cypress?j?D 

 o00o Says:  The Bumper harvest Festiva1 of Tagata Jinja is well known to everyone as it's?@unique festiva1?D It is held on March 15 every year?D 

 o00o Says:  This dedication originate has from an ancient Japanese belief that for the GROWTH and development of all things, the mother, earth, has to be impregnated by the father, heaven. 

 o00o Says:  The souvenir shop sells a variety of penises and vaginas that you can send to the folks back home, reserving an explanation until you return. 

 o00o Says:  More often troupes of ribald older women, unhampered by decorum, roam the corridors laughing and pointing at the collection of malehood and remembering what used to be. 

 o00o Says:  The why and wherefore of this painstaking collection are now only a matter of speculation. The shrine is visited by young married couples learning what there is to know and older couples praying for fertility. 

 o00o Says:  In order to promote the arts and culture, Nagoya holds the 'Citizens Art Festival' in addition to other projects, and supports the activities of art groups and cultural activities of citizens. There are also many cultural facilities located throughout the city such as the...