As the general guardian of Edo, a Tokyo power spot boasting 1,300 years of history.
A Tokyo shrine known for matchmaking, business prosperity, and warding off misfortune
【Kanda Shrine】
Kanda Shrine, affectionately known as "Kanda Myojin," is one of the oldest shrines in Edo–Tokyo. It is said to have been founded in Tenpyō 2 (730) and boasts a history of about 1,300 years.
The enshrined deities are three: the First Shrine deity "Okuninushi no Mikoto (Daikoku-sama)," the Second Shrine deity "Sukunahikona no Mikoto (Ebisu-sama)," and the Third Shrine deity "Taira no Masakado no Mikoto." The shrine is renowned for a variety of divine blessings, including matchmaking, business prosperity, warding off misfortune, and household harmony. In particular, many worshippers from all over the country visit to pray for business success and the flourishing of enterprises.
Within the precincts stand magnificent structures, such as the solemn main sanctuary, rebuilt in 1934 and finished entirely in vermilion lacquer, and the Zuishinmon gate, built of Japanese cypress in 1976. The steel-framed reinforced-concrete main sanctuary, which withstood the Great Kanto Earthquake and wartime devastation, was known at the time for its groundbreaking fire-resistant construction.
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Three Recommended Highlights
1. Kanda Matsuri, one of Japan’s Three Great Festivals and Edo’s Three Great Festivals
Held every May, the Kanda Festival is counted among the “Edo Three Great Festivals” and “Japan’s Three Great Festivals,” continuing from the Edo period. After the Tokugawa clan’s victory at the Battle of Sekigahara, it came to be conducted grandly as an auspicious festival of the Tokugawa family.
Every other year in the main festival, various Shinto rites such as mikoshi miya-iri and shinkōsai are performed, and parish neighborhood associations, city-center businesses, and tourists come together in celebration. The sight of magnificent floats and portable shrines parading through the city center is the very embodiment of the legacy of Edo culture.
2. Diverse blessings from the three enshrined deities
At Kanda Myōjin, three deities, each with distinct divine virtues, are enshrined.
First deity: Ōnamuchi-no-Mikoto (Daikoku-sama) is the deity of nation-building, marital harmony, and matchmaking. Enshrined here since Tenpyō 2 (730). He is also another name for Ōkuninushi-no-Mikoto, the deity of Izumo Taisha, and wields great power in medicine and healing.
Second deity: Sukunahikona-no-Mikoto (Ebisu-sama) is the deity of prosperous business, health and medicine, and good fortune. A wise deity who, together with Daikoku-sama, helped build the nation of Japan.
Third deity: Taira no Masakado-no-Mikoto (Masakado-sama) is the deity of warding off calamities and misfortune. He was enshrined in Enkyō 2 (1309). A hero who protected the people of the Kantō region as a forerunner of the samurai; at Masakado-zuka in Ōtemachi, Chiyoda, Tokyo (a Tokyo-designated cultural property), the head of Lord Masakado is enshrined.
Thanks to these three deities, the shrine is revered as one that answers all manner of wishes in life, from matchmaking to business prosperity to protection from misfortune.
3. An “open shrine” connected to the present day
Kanda Myojin is known as a shrine that actively blends modern culture while preserving tradition. Thanks to its location near Akihabara, it hosts many collaboration projects with anime and games, and is also cherished as a pilgrimage spot for popular works such as “Love Live!” and “Is the Order a Rabbit?”.
In addition, a wide variety of amulets tailored to modern needs—such as the “IT omamori”—are offered, and they are supported by a broad range of people including those in IT companies and exam-takers. An online offering counter is also available, allowing you to receive amulets and ofuda even from afar.
Facility Information
| Name | 神田神社 |
| Address | 〒101-0021 東京都千代田区外神田2-16-2 |
| Access |
■JR Chuo Line / Sobu Line: Ochanomizu Station (Hijiribashi Exit), 5 minutes on foot Keihin-Tohoku Line / Yamanote Line: Akihabara Station (Electric Town Exit), 7 minutes on foot ■Metro Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line: Ochanomizu Station (Exit 1), 5 minutes on foot Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line: Shin-Ochanomizu Station (Exit B1), 5 minutes on foot Tokyo Metro Ginza Line: Suehirocho Station, 5 minutes on foot Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line: Akihabara Station, 7 minutes on foot |
| Parking |
Akihabara UDX Parking (800 spaces, open 24 hours, weekday day rate 2,000 yen) Akihabara Daibiru Parking (112 spaces, open 7:00–23:00, day rate 2,000 yen) |
| Opening hours |
Worship in the precincts: available 24 hours (gates always open) Grounds lighting: usually on until 23:00 (after 23:00 until sunrise it is almost completely dark) Amulet counter hours: 8:00–19:00 (amulets, ofuda, goshuin) Prayer reception hours: 9:00–15:45 (subject to change) * No reservation required for individuals; groups can make reservations. * Up to two wishes per session. |
| Regular holiday | Open year-round |
| Admission fees |
Precinct worship: free (no admission fee) Ritual Hall and Museum: Adults 500 yen, Students 300 yen, Free for junior high school students and younger * Please check opening hours (may be temporarily closed) Kanda Myojin Cultural Exchange Hall EDOCCO: free admission * Additional fees may apply for special exhibitions or event participation Prayer offering fee: from 5,000 yen (varies by intention) Amulets and ofuda: varies by type (from a few hundred yen) Goshuin: 500 yen (regular) |
| Official website | https://www.kandamyoujin.or.jp/ |
Other Recommended Information
Long-established shop "Amanoya" on the shrine approach
On the Omotesando approach, there is the amazake shop "Amanoya", founded in Koka 3 (1846). The handmade amazake made only with rice and koji is produced in underground rooms using traditional methods handed down since ancient times, and is beloved as a specialty of Kanda Myojin. Shibasaki natto and shio-koji are also sold, making it an ideal spot to take a break during your visit.
Cultural programs at the museum
In the museum inside the Kanda Myojin Cultural Exchange Hall EDOCCO, various special exhibitions are held throughout the year. You can enjoy a rich blend of history and contemporary culture, such as exhibitions on Taira no Masakado and yokai culture, Edo-period ukiyo-e exhibitions, and collaborative exhibitions with popular anime and manga works (admission: adults 500 yen, students 300 yen, free for junior high school students and younger).
Weddings • Myojin Hall
Within the precincts is "Myojin Hall," where Shinto wedding ceremonies are conducted, accommodating everything from traditional Shinto rites to banquets. A wedding at Kanda Myojin, the general guardian shrine of Edo, offers both dignity and warmth, making it a fitting place to embark on a new chapter in life.
Annual events
Throughout the year, various Shinto rites and events are held, including the Saitan-sai on January 1, the Setsubun Festival (bean-scattering ceremony) in February, the Grand Festival/Kanda Matsuri in May, the Shichi-Go-San visits in November, and the year-end soot cleaning in December. Especially in late December, a Kumade market is set up in the precincts for the "Osame no Sai," which prays for prosperous business, drawing many worshippers.
References
- Kanda Shrine official website: https://www.kandamyoujin.or.jp/
BASIC INFORMATION
| Name |
神田神社 (カンダ ジンジャ) |
|---|---|
| Address | 2-16-2 Sotokanda, Chiyoda City, Tokyo Access |
| Phone | 03-3254-0753 |
| Fax | 03-3255-8875 |
| Official URL | https://www.kandamyoujin.or.jp/ |
| Official Social Media |
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