Tour
Hōnensai
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Hōnensai is an annual fertility festival held at Tagata Shrine in Inuyama, typically in March. The highlight is a grand procession carrying a giant wooden phallus through the streets, accompanied by participants in traditional costumes, music, and dancing. The festival celebrates fertility, good harvests, and prosperity. Visitors can witness the lively parade, enjoy local food stalls, and participate in rituals for blessings. It's a rare cultural event that blends Shinto tradition with community festivity.
Don't miss
- Watch the parade carrying a 2.5-meter wooden phallus through town
- Enjoy traditional music and dance performances along the route
- Receive blessings and sake from shrine priests for fertility and good fortune
Tickets & tours
Ways to visit Hōnensai
You can usually visit on your own. A tour is worth it for transport, a guide, or combining nearby sights into one day.
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