Tagata Honen Matsuri 2026
Last Updated on March 5, 2026
The city of Komaki is preparing for the Tagata Honen Matsuri, a traditional fertility festival held annually at the historic Tagata Shrine.
This event celebrates the hopes for a bountiful harvest and general prosperity through ancient rituals and a high energy procession.
The centerpiece of the celebration is a massive wooden carving of a phallus, measuring two meters in length and weighing approximately 280 kilograms.
A fresh carving is produced by artisans every year, while the previous year’s symbol is auctioned off to a lucky bidder.
During the main event, a group of men all aged forty-two will hoist the heavy carving onto their shoulders to carry it within a portable shrine known as a mikoshi.
This specific age is considered inauspicious in Japanese culture, and the act of carrying the shrine is believed to bring these men good fortune.
The procession moves between two local shrines, accompanied by spinning movements and cheers from the gathered crowd.
Tagata Shrine itself boasts a history spanning fifteen centuries and is dedicated to a female deity representing renewal and life.
Visitors to the grounds can observe various stone carvings and wooden artifacts that reflect the fertility theme of the site.
The festival atmosphere is expected to be lively with performances of traditional taiko drumming and the arrival of decorated floats.
Street vendors will line the paths to offer unique snacks such as themed lollipops and chocolate covered bananas alongside standard festival fare.
A local volunteer team typically manages a sake cart to provide drinks to participants as they follow the parade route.
Toward the end of the day, officials will gather to perform the mochi nage, where lucky rice cakes are thrown from platforms into the crowd.
Travelers can access the festivities by taking a train from Nagoya to the station located just a short walk from the shrine entrance.
Event Details
| calendar_month DATE | Mar 15 2026 |
|---|---|
| schedule TIME | 10:00 am - 4:00 pm |
| payments Cost | FREE |
| info Website | Official Website |
| location_on Location | Tagata Shrine |
|---|---|
| map Area | Aichi |
| category CATEGORY | Cultural Shrines |
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