Kanayama Jinja Shrine

Terminally online people, who are fascinated with Japan, LOVE to talk about Kanayama Shrine...almost as much as they love posting pictures and videos of its (in)famous fertility festival, where massive phalluses are hoisted and hefted around on plinths and marched down the narrow streets by crowds of unruly revelers. Despite the fact that it IS something that needs to be seen to be believed, in the quiet months on either side of the festival, this shrine is a calm, reverent retreat, where those who would pray for those struggling with fertility or childbirth issues can offer their sincere hopes and wishes for overcoming whatever scenario they are struggling with. This was the case for my wife and I whom, having met an incredible couple from Ireland, struggling with said fertility issues, earlier in our trip, we felt it would be a welcome gesture to offer up some prayers on their behalf. We purchased a wooden prayer placard (¥500) from the temple shop window, and wrote our message to them using the provided pen. We also purchased a happy, smiling little pink member talisman (with included "lucky" fortune), because my wife is immature and couldn't stop giggling about it. Turns out, our fortune was anything but lucky, so we tied it up to be burnt, and bought another one, to take home; it contained a much luckier fortune, if you were curious. Coming to Kanayama Shrine during the festival is one thing: I'm sure the whole thing is completely unhinged, and maybe some day we'll check it out. Just don't expect the same sort of raucous, raunchy revelry every other day of the year. In short, if you pay a visit here during the "off-season", don't be a dick about it.

Easy to find, a short walk from the train station. We were there at 11:50am on a Wednesday morning in June and had the place to ourselves. It was well worth the train ride from Tokyo to see a shrine without a bunch of other people. There is a lot of other things to do and explore in the area. We spent the whole day in Kawasaki and loved it!

Wonderful experience. The drive wasn't bad. Parking is a little challenging, but it also depends on the festival or the situation that you're trying to visit. Definitely getting at the house is a good thing

Easy to find, short walk from the train station in a residential neighborhood. Sadly, our travel plans missed the festival by a week, but the shrine is open all day for visitors who want to stop by.

The shrine is nice and the staff speaks very good English, even though the shrine was performing maintenance to three installations it wasn't an inconvenient to enjoy the place.

Small temple just before the Kawasaki Daishi. I amazed the bamboo water drain has a sensory system, when I walked toward it, the water flows from the bamboo and I could wash my face. There are some cherry blossoms trees on the fences. Beautiful red torii although quite smalls, but great captured in my video

Has here for the Kanamara Matsuri. It was a really fun event. They had delicious foods, candies in the shape of genitals, beers, an easily accessible smoking area that wasn't intrusive, music and other entertainment. The workers were polite and professional. It was well organized and week worth the visit.

Went for the fertility festival. It was so incredibly crowded that we couldn't do much. The whole experience for the festival seemed like a tourist trap and money grab. The shrine area seemed nice and would be interested in exploring it during a normal time.