This post has been sitting in a draft for almost a week as I tried to figure out what to write about. What was the major event. I decided there really wasn’t one major thing that stuck out in my head. It was rather just the photos. A photos is worth a thousand words so enjoy! I should also note that this post is probably not safe for work.

I first heard about the Kanamara Festival a few years ago while reading the original Japan blog,Sushicam.com. I have been wanting go to it since then just to see the absurdity. Thankfully Jeff mentioned that he was going this weekend so I knew when it was. I thought it had already happened. So I had a choice. Hanami with the new exchange students or seeing giant penises in the middle of the road. Giant penises in the middle of the road wins!

I did spot Jeff (author of sushicam.com) though I did not introduce myself. He seemed busy trying to get photos of this girl (pictured below). First thing I did notice was the ratio of foreigners went up to what seemed like 50%/50%. Oh and there were a lot of Okama and or cross-dressers.

It didn’t take long to spot this:

I’m not sure of the exact reading of this, I think it is ほうのうチンチンきんざんかみ (hounou chinchin kinzankami) which translates to something like “Offering Penis to the God of gold mountain”. Which makes sense now as they did have a parade with the giant penises around town.

This one was actually in a permanent location.

I couldn’t help myself. You see a giant pink penis - you have the urge to do the fonz. “Heeeeeeeeyyyyyyyyyy”

This was rather ridiculous. It took 3 people like 4 minutes to get this strap-on on her. Look at the scale of it, it requires a neck-brace just to wear it. Scary!

At first we weren’t sure if it was a girl or a guy as the quality of the makeup job leaves a lot to be desired (which is conveniently not in this photo). Then once it was put on her female manager pulled her shirt apart exposing the top half of her bikini then said “How’s this?” we were sure it she was female.

And that’s pretty much it for Kanamara Festival 2008. Hopefully it’s even better in 2009!