A tourist hugs a metal penis at the penis festival in Kawasai. During the festival a huge pink penis is carried through the streets of Kawasaki at the Kanamara Matsuri (Festival of the Steel Phallus) 05 April 2009.   The shinto festival dating back to the edo period350 years ago, has it's roots where prostitutes prayed not only that business would be brisk, but for protection from syphilis.  With the spread of syphilis now curbed, participants in the modern festival solicit donations for HIV/AIDS research.
{}