"The arrival of spring brought a festive atmosphere to Tagata Shrine in Aichi Prefecture, as thousands gathered for Japan’s famous Honen Matsuri fertility festival. Footage filmed on March 15 shows crowds attending the annual Shinto celebration, also known as the 'Prosperous Year Festival', in Komaki City, where ancient rituals blend with light-hearted festivities. Participants were seen tossing mochi, or rice cakes, into the air during the parade, with many taking one home as a symbol of health and happiness. “The Harvest Festival is a time when we pray for abundant yields from our fields and rice paddies, as well as for children,” said Onda, a festival volunteer. “This year, the atmosphere is bright. Though many challenges exist in the world, the community has remained upbeat, coming together to celebrate. It fills us with joy and energises the festival,” added festival staff member Akihiko Kitamura. Visitors from abroad also took part in the celebrations. “In Brazil, we don’t have this problem with fertility, but here, from what I hear, there are a lot of elderly people and not many babies being born, so the population is going to get older and older. That’s why it’s so important for more babies to be born here, so I think it’s a very good,” said Brazilian tourist Fernada. American tourists John and Donna said, “The people and you could just really relax and enjoy yourself here. Just take it all in the part of it.” The highlight of the event is a two-metre-long wooden phallus, known as 'Oowasegata', weighing around 30 kilograms and carved each year from Japanese cypress. Carried through the streets as part of a mikoshi (portable shrine), it is believed to bring fertility, prosperity, and good fortune. The procession, led by participants wearing traditional fundoshi loincloths, drew large crowds, many reaching out to touch the object in hopes of receiving blessings. The shrine grounds were filled with food stalls, souvenirs, and chanting revellers, creating a lively, carnival-like atmosphere centred on themes of fertility, health, and renewal."