What to know
Taga Shrine (多賀神社, Taga Jinja) lies just north of Uwajima's city center. Worshippers come here to pray for longevity, good health, and especially fertility. What draws foreign visitors is the shrine's explicit fertility symbols, including a wooden phallus about two meters long displayed next to the main hall. Such objects were once common at shrines across Japan, but most were removed during the Meiji Period (1868–1912) under the influence of Western puritanical values.
Beside the shrine hall, a museum houses the shrine's collection of domestic and international pornographic materials. Exhibits include adult illustrations, ukiyo-e, and artifacts from various cultures and historical periods. Entry is prohibited to minors under 20.
Taga Shrine is a 15-minute walk northwest of Uwajima Station.
Visitor information
Practical details to check before planning this stop.
- Hours
- Always open
- Closed
- No closing days
- Admission
- Free
- English name
- Original name
- Taga Shrine
Verify details before visiting. Currency conversion is indicative and may vary over time.