1. Kanamara Matsuri — Kawasaki, Japan
On the first Sunday of every April, Kanamara Matsuri, or "Festival of the Steel Phallus", is held as a phallic-oriented celebration to encourage fertility and marital bliss amongst couples. The celebration is held around the Wakamiya Hachimangu Shrine, a sacred location that was once frequented by prostitutes praying for prosperity and protection against STDs.
2. Khajuraho Group of Monuments — Madhya Pradesh, India
Built between 950 and 1050 during central India's Chandela dynasty, the Khajuraho Group of Monuments is a mesmerizing collection of 20 surviving temples dedicated to Hinduism and Jainism. Elegantly sculpted into the temple walls are depictions of Hinduism's four goals in life: Dharma, Artha, Moksha, and Kāma; the last of which traditionally refers to sexual desire, hence the erotic imagery.
3. The Icelandic Phallological Museum — Húsavík, Iceland
According to the the Icelandic Phallological Museum website, this museum is "probably the only museum in the world to contain a collection of phallic specimens belonging to all the various types of mammal found in a single country." The collection boasts over 282 penis specimens from 93 different species of animals.
4. Chao Mae Tuptim Shrine — Bangkok, Thailand
Located in downtown Bangkok, the Chao Mae Tuptim Shrine honors Chao Mae Tubtim, a female fertility spirit. Women who are trying to conceive often leave lotus and jasmine at the site and will return to add an additional wooden penis if their wishes are granted.
5. Hōnen Matsuri — Komaki, Japan
Comparable to Kawasaki's Kanamara Matsuri, Hōnen Matsuri is celebration held every year on March 15th in hopes of fertility and fruitful harvests. A cornerstone of the festivities includes enjoying phallic shaped treats and the procession of a gigantic wooden penis.
6. Jeju Loveland — Jeju Island, South Korea
Established in 2004 by a group of Korean art school grads, Jeju Loveland is a sculpture park located on the South Korean island of Jeju. With over 140 sculptures depicting crude sexual acts, Jeju Loveland has become a highly popular tourist destination for those looking for a more risqué museum experience.
7. The Cerne Abbas Giant — Dorset, England
Dating as far back as the 17th century, the 180-foot-tall Cerne Abbas Giant in Dorset, England, is a gargantuan chalk geoglyph of a fully erect pagan warrior, believed to be a symbol of fertility. According to local folklore, infertility can be cured by having sex on top of the giant's massive erection.
8. Bourani Festival — Tyrnavos, Greece
Every year, residents of Tyrnavos, Greece, participate in a pagan ritual with roots dating back to ancient Dionysian rites. Traditional Bouraní celebrations involve drinking heavily with friends and family, singing crude songs, and teasing each other publicly with fake penises. The festivities culminate with the cooking of a vegetable soup known as bouraní.
9. Bhutan Phallic Murals — Thimphu, Bhutan
Throughout Bhutan, many people believe that the phallus is not only a symbol of fertility, but also provides protection against evil spirits and gossip. It's not an uncommon sight to find colorful murals of penises painted throughout city streets and adorning the entrances of family homes.
10. Museum of Sex — New York City, USA
Since 2002, the Museum of Sex has been arousing its visitors to their erotic exhibitions, which aim to chronicle "the history, evolution and cultural significance of human sexuality." With continuous rotating exhibitions of art, publications, and programming, this is one museum that is sure to be as thought provoking as it is stimulating.
11. Phra Nang Cave — Krabi Province, Thailand
According to local legend, placing a penis-shaped statue at the alter of Phra Nang Cave is meant to appease the spirit of Phra Nang, an Indian princess who supposedly died in a nearby shipwreck. In doing this, it is said that Phra Nang will grant sailers safe travels on the open seas.
12. Haesindang Park — Sinnam, South Korea
The sorrowful legend of Haesindang states that a young, soon-to-be wed couple was tragically separated after strong waves swept the maiden to her death. It was said that after this happened none of the villagers were able to catch fish in the surrounding waters, leading them to believe that the young woman's unsettled soul had placed a curse on the waters. In an effort to appease her spirit, villagers erected several gigantic penis sculptures on the beach. Needless to say, the've been catching plenty of fish since.
13. Mara Kannon Fertility Shrine — Tawarayama, Japan
When a powerful Japanese leader named Ōuchi Yoshitaka was overthrown in 1551, his children managed to escape execution by fleeing to the hillside. Eventually, his youngest son was caught near the site of this temple, executed, and castrated. To appease his spirit, villagers built this temple adorned with phallic imagery. Today, the Mara Kannon Fertility Shrine is a popular destination for couples hoping to conceive.
14. Khalid Nabi Cemetery — Golestan province, Iran
In northeastern Iran, amid the beautiful rolling mountains of Turkmen Sahra, is a cemetery like any other. Well, besides the fact that nearly 600 of the tombstones present are in shape of erect penises and female breasts. While the origin of this mysterious cemetery remains to be told, many Iranians find this site to be a humorous addition to their rich cultural heritage.