? Special Episode ? This festival will be held on Sunday, April 3rd. Here's a preview with all the background you'll need.
Japan's Kanamara Matsuri as you've never seen it before!

Every now and then something very bizarre from Japan pops up in the news. This time, it happens to be bright pink and carried around the streets of a town near Tokyo. The #Kanamara Matsuri / #Festival is definitely unusual but there is much more to this story including a strong historical backbone and religious significance.

So ? WHY #JAPAN "!"! WHY "!"
The international media sees the images and write the stories but never ask the questions. Let me do that for you in this episode.

The festival sometimes dubbed the ?Penis? festival or the "Utamaro Festival" has a long history going back 200 years. It was created by a transgender salon in Asakusa called Elizabeth who wanted to bring attention to the issue of STD, HIV / AIDS and the LGBT community. They succeeded in getting a lot of attention but over the last several years, the message has gotten lost in the shock and -- bright pink of their hand made phallus. Whatever you may think about Elizabeth, there is no doubt that it is the most photographed mikoshi in Japan!

Kanamara #Shrine is dedicated to both fertility and a place for prayer for women afflicted by sexual diseases. It's a place women go to today to pray to get pregnant and for a healthy child.
Those who have been unfortunate to contract a STD hav...