Trifter

Tip #1: Don’t drink the water!

When you get to the entrance of the penis shrine, it is expected that you wash your hands. This is typical for all shrines in Japan, and it involves simply taking the ladle provided near the small supply of water, and pouring water over first one hand, and then the other. Make sure you don’t pour the water back into the reservoir, but allow it to spill over your hands and onto the ground. And at this particular shrine, I don’t recommend drinking the water.

Tip #2: Don’t make fun of the penis god!

In the west, a prayer to a penis god would probably center around size and speed issues; in Japan, these prayers tend to be about fertility concerns and healthy pregnancies. Therefore, it is in extreme poor taste to make up your own translations of the written prayers that couples put on the blocks of wood that are provided.

Tip #3: Be careful where you sit!

Though it is called a penis shrine, the female’s body is also represented here. Throughout the shrine there are stone carvings that look like smooth stools and stylish easy chairs but they may not be what you initially suspect them to be.

Tip #4: Don’t get hit in the head by a penis!

During the penis festival, a huge wooden penis is carried throughout the town and of course there is much drinking and merriment. When the festival is not on, the huge wooden penis rests in a small building filled with other phallic objects. There are paintings of the huge wooden penis being carried around and numerous sculptures. Some of the sculptures and carvings are attached to the ceiling so it’s best to be aware of where you are standing. Just in case.

Tip #5: Do buy some candy after!

After an exciting afternoon of looking at penises, a little refreshment is in order. If not found at the shrine itself, at the nearby supermarket you can usually get penis shaped lollipops that you can enjoy on the train ride home. They also make excellent souvenirs.

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