Tagata Jinja, an ancient shrine near Komaki north of Nagoya, is home to the Honen Matsuri, Japan’s most famous fertility festival, held every year on March 15th. The rite is exactly what its reputation promises and older than embarrassment: a team of men carries a newly carved hinoki-cypress owasegata — some 2.5 metres long and several hundred kilos — in procession between shrines, accompanied by sake barrels, banner bearers and shrine maidens, as a prayer for bountiful harvests, prosperity and children. The mood is festive and good-humoured rather than solemn, with free-flowing sake and delighted crowds from around the world.
🗓️ At a Glance
| Location | Tagata Jinja, Komaki, Aichi |
| Hours | Festival March 15th, ~10:00–16:00; shrine open year-round |
| Admission | Free |
| Time needed | 2–4 hours on festival day |
| Best time | March 15th, procession from ~14:00 |
What to See
- The great procession of the 2.5-metre cypress offering.
- Sake barrels, banner bearers and shrine maidens en route.
- The shrine’s hall of historic offerings, viewable year-round.
- The mochi-throwing finale, a cheerful scramble for luck.
Combine Your Visit
- Combine with Inuyama Castle , two stops up the Meitetsu line.
- Pair with Meiji Mura in the same area.
- Read our Aichi overview .
Getting There
- By train: Meitetsu Komaki Line to Tagata-Jinja-mae Station, a 5-minute walk.
- On festival day: trains crowd heavily; arrive before noon.
Tips
Go early on festival day — the procession starts mid-afternoon but the shrine grounds, food stalls and free sake are at their best from late morning, and the mochi-throwing finale gets genuinely competitive. The festival is earthy but family-friendly in spirit; photograph freely, laugh along, and note the shrine itself is a quiet, dignified place the other 364 days of the year.
