Kanamara Matsuri 2024 in Japan

Those thinking that the festival of the Steel Penis is something outrageous and sexually intense might be a bit disappointed, since this is often considered a family friendly fertility festival where both children and adults can pay tribute to the wonder of reproduction.

Held each year in Kawasaki since 1977, the festival celebrates a legend about a sharp-toothed demon who invaded a girl's vagina and started biting off her fiancés' penises. It all ended well when the villagers gathered and created a huge penis to break the teeth of the demon and managed to cast him away. During the festival a portable shrine in the form of a penis is carried through the streets by representatives of the trans-gender/cross dressing community.

Candles and lollipops—also in the form of a penis are sold, and huge wooden penises are 'erected' for pictures. This festival also raises awareness for HIV/AIDS and STDs as traditionally the shrine is believed to guard people against these. All the festival's profits are donated to AIDS research, so don't feel grumpy about opening your wallet!