Images of the Japanese penis festival, Kanamara Matsuri

In early April, large numbers of revelers gather in the city of Kawasaki, about 30 minutes south of Tokyo, to celebrate Kanamara Matsuri – Japan’s infamous penis festival, whose name roughly translates to Steel Phallus Festival. The main festivities of Kanamare Matsuri have been held on the first Sunday of April since 1969 (yes, seriously).

At a mind-centered festival, organ and fertility, attendees can erect giant penis statues at hand shrines, enjoy penis-shaped lollipops, buy penis-shaped candles, and (obviously) dress like a penis. There is a seemingly endless array of phallic merchandise!

“Amazing. So fun, so unique, such a different experience,” one Australian tourist who went to this year’s gathering he told Euronews. “It’s so strange coming from Australia to see something like this, but everyone seems to be having a good time.”