# Kanda Myojin: Edo's guardian shrine by Akihabara

[Kanda Myojin](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E7%A5%9E%E7%94%B0%E6%98%8E%E7%A5%9E%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E5%8D%83%E4%BB%A3%E7%94%B0%E5%8C%BA%E5%A4%96%E7%A5%9E%E7%94%B02-16-2) has watched over the centre of Tokyo since the Edo period, and it is still the local shrine for Kanda, Nihonbashi, Otemachi, Marunouchi and Akihabara. Office workers come in their thousands to pray for business at New Year, anime fans come to see a shrine from their favourite series, and in odd-numbered years it sends out the Kanda Matsuri, one of the great festivals of Tokyo. The list below is updated daily with events at the shrine and around it.

## What Kanda Myojin is

By the shrine's own history it was founded in 730 near today's Otemachi and moved to this hill in 1616. Tokugawa Ieyasu is said to have prayed here before the Battle of Sekigahara in 1600, and the shrine became the guardian of all of Edo, which is why its victory charms are still popular. Today it is the shrine of 108 neighbourhood associations in the heart of the city.

Three deities are enshrined: Daikoku, linked with good relationships; Ebisu, linked with business; and Taira no Masakado, a tenth-century warrior of the Kanto region, linked with warding off misfortune. The main hall was destroyed in the 1923 earthquake and rebuilt in 1934 in steel-reinforced concrete lacquered vermilion, a new fireproof idea at the time; it is now a Registered Tangible Cultural Property. Roof and paint restoration is planned for the shrine's 1,300th anniversary, so parts of the buildings may be under scaffolding.

- → [Akihabara: anime, games and events](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/akihabara.md)
- → [Events in Chiyoda](https://eventstokyo.com/en/chiyoda.md)
- → [Cultural & Ethnic Festivals events in Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/culture.md)

## What to see

You enter through [Zuishinmon](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E7%A5%9E%E7%94%B0%E6%98%8E%E7%A5%9E%20%E9%9A%8F%E7%A5%9E%E9%96%80%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E5%8D%83%E4%BB%A3%E7%94%B0%E5%8C%BA%E5%A4%96%E7%A5%9E%E7%94%B02-16-2), a cypress gate rebuilt in 1975, with guardian figures on the outside and carvings from the myth of the white hare of Inaba on the inner side. Beyond it the vermilion main hall fills the courtyard. In the courtyard stands a stone Daikoku 6.6 metres tall, said to be the largest stone Daikoku in Japan, and nearby a newer Ebisu crossing the sea with dolphins and sea bream.

Look for the coin-shaped monument to Zenigata Heiji, the fictional Edo detective who lived "below Myojin" in Nomura Kodo's stories, the stone lions of Shishiyama, and [Otokozaka](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E7%A5%9E%E7%94%B0%E6%98%8E%E7%A5%9E%20%E7%94%B7%E5%9D%82%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E5%8D%83%E4%BB%A3%E7%94%B0%E5%8C%BA%E5%A4%96%E7%A5%9E%E7%94%B02-16-2), the steep stone stairway donated by Kanda's town firefighters in the 1830s. The museum in the Saishiden building shows Kanda Matsuri floats in miniature and shrine treasures, and usually opens only on weekends and holidays.

[EDOCCO](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E7%A5%9E%E7%94%B0%E6%98%8E%E7%A5%9E%E6%96%87%E5%8C%96%E4%BA%A4%E6%B5%81%E9%A4%A8%20EDOCCO%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E5%8D%83%E4%BB%A3%E7%94%B0%E5%8C%BA%E5%A4%96%E7%A5%9E%E7%94%B02-16-2), the culture complex opened in 2018 by the entrance, has a shop with shrine goods (some of them anime collaborations), a cafe and a hall. The shrine is a pilgrimage spot for fans of Love Live, where one of the characters helps at the shrine, and you will see ema with hand-drawn characters on the racks. For Akihabara's tech crowd there is even an IT charm that asks for protection for computers.

- The goshuin and amulet counters keep daytime hours. Come before late afternoon if you want either.
- Illustrated ema are fun to look at, but they are prayers. Photograph the racks, not someone's wish up close.

- → [Anime, manga and game events in Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/anime.md)
- → [Shrine and temple etiquette for festivals and New Year](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/shrine-etiquette.md)
- → [Pop Culture & Conventions events in Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/pop-culture.md)

## The year at Kanda Myojin

January is the busiest month. After the first prayers of January 1, the first working days bring the shigoto-hajime visits, when companies from the surrounding business districts come in groups, staff in suits, to pray for a good year. In recent years around ten thousand companies and groups have come in January alone. Lucky bamboo rakes (kumade) for business are handed out from New Year's Day. Setsubun bean throwing follows on Setsubun day, around February 3.

The Kanda Matsuri is held in full in odd-numbered years, in mid-May. On the Saturday the Shinkosai procession of the shrine's portable shrines, priests and costumed groups spends the whole day on a route of about 30 kilometres through Kanda, Nihonbashi, Otemachi, Marunouchi and Akihabara. On the Sunday around 200 neighbourhood mikoshi are carried up to the shrine one after another. In the Edo period the procession was allowed into Edo Castle, and it is counted among the three great festivals of Edo. In even years only the shrine rites are held, without the big processions.

Smaller dates fill the rest of the year: a noh performance at the May festival, the summer purification on June 30, Tanabata on July 7, and Shichi-go-san family visits in November.

- → [Matsuri in Tokyo through the year](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/matsuri.md)
- → [The biggest festivals in Tokyo worth planning a trip around](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/best-festivals.md)
- → [New Year in Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/new-year.md)
- → [Setsubun in Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/setsubun.md)
- → [Shichi-Go-San in Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/shichi-go-san.md)
- → [Matsuri & Festivals events in Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/matsuri.md)
- → [Events in Chiyoda](https://eventstokyo.com/en/chiyoda.md)

## Timing, crowds and etiquette

Visiting the grounds is free. The first three days of January and the first working week after them are the most crowded, with queues to the hall even on weekdays; if you just want to see the shrine, avoid early January. On Kanda Matsuri Sunday the streets around the shrine are packed from morning. Weekday mornings and late afternoons are calm, and the hall looks its best in low sun.

Bow at the gate, rinse your hands at the water basin, then bow twice, clap twice and bow once. Photos of the buildings are fine, but do not photograph people praying at close range, and on festival days keep clear of the mikoshi and follow the stewards.

- In festival years, find the Shinkosai route map on the [shrine's site](https://kandamatsuri.com/) and wait at one spot rather than chasing the procession.
- Festival days are long and crowded. Carry water and some cash, and use a station toilet before you head in.

- → [Shrine and temple etiquette for festivals and New Year](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/shrine-etiquette.md)
- → [Taking photos at Tokyo events](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/photography.md)
- → [Free events in Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/free.md)
- → [This weekend in Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/this-weekend.md)

## Getting there and nearby

The shrine is about five minutes on foot from [Ochanomizu Station](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=JR%20%E5%BE%A1%E8%8C%B6%E3%83%8E%E6%B0%B4%E9%A7%85%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E5%8D%83%E4%BB%A3%E7%94%B0%E5%8C%BA%E7%A5%9E%E7%94%B0%E9%A7%BF%E6%B2%B3%E5%8F%B02-6-1&query_place_id=ChIJ9QBS1xuMGGARiADthXBhlUI) (JR Chuo and Sobu lines, Hijiribashi exit, or Exit 1 of the Marunouchi Line), from [Shin-Ochanomizu](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E3%83%A1%E3%83%88%E3%83%AD%20%E6%96%B0%E5%BE%A1%E8%8C%B6%E3%83%8E%E6%B0%B4%E9%A7%85%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E5%8D%83%E4%BB%A3%E7%94%B0%E5%8C%BA%E7%A5%9E%E7%94%B0%E9%A7%BF%E6%B2%B3%E5%8F%B03%E4%B8%81%E7%9B%AE) on the Chiyoda Line and from [Suehirocho](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E3%83%A1%E3%83%88%E3%83%AD%20%E6%9C%AB%E5%BA%83%E7%94%BA%E9%A7%85%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E5%8D%83%E4%BB%A3%E7%94%B0%E5%8C%BA%E5%A4%96%E7%A5%9E%E7%94%B04-7-3) on the Ginza Line. From [Akihabara Station](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=JR%20%E7%A7%8B%E8%91%89%E5%8E%9F%E9%A7%85%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E5%8D%83%E4%BB%A3%E7%94%B0%E5%8C%BA%E5%A4%96%E7%A5%9E%E7%94%B01%E4%B8%81%E7%9B%AE) (JR, Electric Town exit, or the Hibiya Line) it is about seven minutes uphill.

Akihabara's electronics and anime shops are just down the hill. Across the road is [Yushima Seido](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E6%B9%AF%E5%B3%B6%E8%81%96%E5%A0%82%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E6%96%87%E4%BA%AC%E5%8C%BA%E6%B9%AF%E5%B3%B61%E4%B8%81%E7%9B%AE), a Confucian hall with a quiet stone courtyard, and a short walk north is [Yushima Tenjin](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E6%B9%AF%E5%B3%B6%E5%A4%A9%E6%BA%80%E5%AE%AE%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E6%96%87%E4%BA%AC%E5%8C%BA%E6%B9%AF%E5%B3%B63-30-1), known for its plum blossoms in February and March and for prayers before exams. Ueno is a few stops away, and the [Masakado mound](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E5%B0%86%E9%96%80%E5%A1%9A%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E5%8D%83%E4%BB%A3%E7%94%B0%E5%8C%BA%E5%A4%A7%E6%89%8B%E7%94%BA1-2-1) in Otemachi, near the shrine's original site, is on the Kanda Matsuri route.

- → [Akihabara: anime, games and events](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/akihabara.md)
- → [Ueno and Yanaka: museums, parks and old streets](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/ueno.md)
- → [Pop-up stores in Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/pop-ups.md)
- → [Events in Chiyoda](https://eventstokyo.com/en/chiyoda.md)
- → [Events in Bunkyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/bunkyo.md)
- → [Pop Culture & Conventions events in Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/pop-culture.md)

## All events, soonest first

- **[Yushima Tenjin Plum Festival 2027](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/yushima-tenjin-plum-festival-2027-7926)** — Mon, Feb 8, 2027 – Mon, Mar 8, 2027 (JST) · Kanda Myojin Shrine (Bunkyo) · Free entry
- **[5th Croatia Film Festival - Doors Open 10 Minutes Before Screening, Contact Organizers in Advance for Wheelchair Access](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/5th-croatia-film-festival-doors-open-10)** — Fri, Nov 20, 2026 14:00 – Sat, Nov 21, 2026 (JST) · Kanda Myojin Cultural Exchange Hall B1 EDOCCO STUDIO (Chiyoda) · ¥500–¥9,000
- **[Kikunoshin Totani](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/kikunoshin-totani)** — Sun, Nov 29, 2026 15:00 (JST) · Kanda Myojin Hall · ¥6,600〜¥8,800
- **[REBEL - Showdown -](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/rebel-showdown)** — Sat, Dec 19, 2026 14:00 (JST) · Kanda Myojin Hall · price on the official site
- **[Ocha-Ken × Astromeda POP-UP Store at Animate Akihabara](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/astromeda-popup)** — Sat, Oct 24, 2026 – Sun, Nov 1, 2026 (JST) · animate Akihabara Annex 6F (Chiyoda) · price on the official site
- **[The Idolmaster Cinderella Girls × Astromeda POPUP Store at Animate Akihabara](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/astromeda-popup-in)** — Sat, Oct 24, 2026 – Sun, Nov 1, 2026 (JST) · animate Akihabara Annex 6F (Chiyoda) · ¥7,580
- **[Stella Sora 1st Anniversary Pop-Up Store](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/1pop-up-store)** — Fri, Oct 23, 2026 – Sun, Nov 8, 2026 (JST) · Akihabara Radio Kaikan 10F Event Space (Chiyoda) · price on the official site

## Questions people ask

**Is Kanda Myojin free to visit?**
Yes. The grounds and the main hall courtyard are free. Only the small shrine museum charges an entry fee.

**When is the Kanda Matsuri?**
The full festival is held in mid-May of odd-numbered years, with the big procession on Saturday and the neighbourhood mikoshi on Sunday. In even years only the shrine rites take place.

**How far is Kanda Myojin from Akihabara?**
About seven minutes on foot from the Electric Town exit of Akihabara Station, uphill toward Ochanomizu.

**Why is Kanda Myojin connected with anime?**
It appears in Love Live and other series, and the shrine has run collaborations with anime titles, with illustrated ema and goods. Being next to Akihabara helps too.

**Why are there so many office workers at Kanda Myojin in January?**
It is the shrine of the business districts around it, and companies come in groups in the first working days of the year to pray for business.

**How long do you need at Kanda Myojin?**
About 30 minutes for the shrine itself, an hour with EDOCCO and the museum. It pairs well with Akihabara or Yushima Tenjin.

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Tokyo Events: https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/kanda-myojin