Tagata Jinja is a Shinto shrine in Komaki just north of Nagoya, and as such is just one of many that can be found throughout Japan. The Hounen festival at Tagata shrine is one of the most famous (or infamous?) festivals in Japan.

Amongst foreigners visiting Aichi Prefecture it is frequently referred to as the “penis shrine”, or “Japanese penis festival”, primarily due to the ancient Hounen Matsuri (a festival celebrating fertility and renewal), which is held here every March 15th.

Every year a huge two and a half meter wooden phallus is carried the short distance between two shrines attracting visitors from all over Japan and international media attention. The festival is fun with a lot of sake drinking, however the background of the festival is rather more serious.

Christians have Easter. Jews have Passover. And now we gays can celebrate the Penis with the Japanese!  Tonight in Chelsea we can join in the penis celebration: Matsuri restaurant  is offering a one-night only Penis Festival menu!

There will not be actual penis on the menu! I know, some cultures eat animal penis and testicles. This special menu tonight is  created by Matsuri Chef Tadashi Ono and includes such specials as the “Big Sausage” (sausage, sea scallops, spicy rod roe, $18) and the “Get It Up Hot Pot” (traditional Japanese hot pot of oyster and sea urchin in dashi broth, $23), among a few other penis-shaped food items.

Penis Matsuri Menu available tonight only  – Not an April Fools  joke.
Matsuri at the Maritime Hotel   369 W. 16th Street, Chelsea     212-243-6400  Penis celebration begins at 5:30pm.

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