Kanda Myojin Shrine, nestled in Tokyo’s Chiyoda Ward, is a historic Shinto shrine deeply rooted in the local culture. Revered for centuries, it seamlessly blends spiritual tradition with the modern vibrancy of the city, attracting visitors for both its religious significance and its role in popular culture.
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Location:
Kanda Myojin Shrine is a magnificent Shinto shrine located in Chiyoda, Tokyo, Japan. It is one of Tokyo’s ten protector shrines, and these ten protector shrines are called Jissha.
The shrine was the main guardian god of the Edo, which has more than 100 branches in Tokyo. It is famous for business success, finding a future spouse, making a good family, and protection from bad luck in the coming days.
Except for the shrine’s long history, it recently became a popular destiny of Anime fans because of the Anime series LOVE LIVE, which takes place in Akihabara.
Some of the goods of the Anime Characters are sold. That is why many fans come to visit and take photos every day.
The shrine is only five minutes from Ochanomizu Station and seven minutes from Akihabara Station.
History:
Kanda Myojin Shrine was founded in 730, about 1,400 years ago. The shrine was moved to the current location during the Edo period, where Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu prayed.
It has been located on a small hill between Ochanomizu Station and Akihabara since 1616.
However, the shrine was first located in Shibasaki. According to records, Shibasaki was a small fishing village at that time. It was moved to Kanda in 1603 and finally to its present location in 1616.
Deities:
There are three gods enshrine at the shrine:
1) Onamuchi no Mikoto:
Onamuchi no Mikoto is known as Daikoku-Sama at Kanda Myojin Shrine. The deity is worshipped for matchmaking and the god of marriage. According to legend, Daikoku-Sama created Japan with Ebisu-Sama.
2)Sukuna Hikona no Mikoto:
Sukuna Hikona no mikoto is known as Ebisu-sama. She is small, but she has great wisdom and is worshipped as the god of business prosperity.
Besides, Ebisu-Sama is also worshipped as the god of sound health and good luck. The deity is worshipped at Ebisu Beer Museum.
Moreover, according to the creation of Japanese legend, Ebisu-Sama and Daikoku-Sama together created the land of Japan.
3)Taira no Masakado no Mikoto:
Taira no Masakado no Mikoto is worshipped as the god of expelling evil. But the statue of the deity is not available in the shrine.
In Heian Period(794-1185), the central government made some policies that were not public-friendly, and the citizens opposed these policies.
However, Taira no Masakado was not afraid of going against the government and joining the public. He fought and earned public respect.
As a result of respect, people worshipped him as a god of expelling evil.
Features:
What to see at Kanda Myojin Shrine?
Most of the shrines are almost alike. However, besides Main Torii Gate, Entrance, and Hall, the Myojin Shrine has a few different features from other Shinto shrines.
The most notable features are the colorful Drama Hall, Lion Monument, and Onamuchi no Mikoto stone Statue.
EDOCCO is the Kanda Myojin Cultural Exchange Center, built in 2018, located just behind the Daikoku-Sama Stone Statue.
The center has a souvenir shop, a Shinto amulet handover station, a restaurant, and a studio where visitors can see traditional Japanese culture.
Main Entrance:
The main entrance is called Zuishinmon. It is a colorful two-story building that immediately attracts visitors from the main tori gate.
Some of the famous Japanese sake containers are kept to display. However, it is essential to mention that Japanese sake is used on many religious occasions. That is why Japanese sake containers are kept in many Shinto Shrine’s gates.
In addition, it is the first attraction of the Kanda Myojin Shrine. As a result, significantly fewer visitors leave the spot without taking a photo during their visit.
Main Hall:
The shrine’s Main Hall stands in a straight line of the Main Entrance, keeping Daikuko-Sama giant stone statue left and Drama Hall right of the visitors. The hall is wonderfully beautiful with colorful decorations.
Both sides of the hall are decorated with traditional Japanese lights which visitors can realize the difference of the shrine from other Shinto shrines.
Drama Hall:
The Drama Hall stands near the shrine’s office. Its walls are colorful paintings that attract the attention of visitors quickly.
Most of the Shinto shrine has such a drama hall. During the festival, Japanese religious dramas or shows are performed that visitors can enjoy from outside.
Lion Mountain:
Lion Monument is also known as Lion Mountain, located near the Main Hall of the Kanda Myojin Shrine, which symbolizes strong people.
A lion cub is seen climbing up the hill. The climbing cub attracts the sympathy of visitors even though it is just an image.
According to the legendary records, lions only take care of a solid cub capable of surviving a trial. Lions throw their cubs from the mountain. Lions only take care the cub can climb up alone without any help.
Daikoku-Sama Statue:
A beautiful stone statue of Onamuchi no Mikoto in the shrine’s precinct. It is also known as the Daikoku-Sama Statue, located on the left side after passing the Main Entrance, measuring 6.6 meters high and around 30 tons weight.
It is the largest stone statue of Onamuchi no Mikoto stone Statue in Japan.
In addition, it is not only merely a stone statue. Devotees pray with their respectful hearts in front of the statue because they believe the statue brings blessings of good fortune.
Festivals:
As a major shrine in Tokyo, the shrine holds many festivals. However, Hatsumode, Kanda festival, and Daikoku Festival are the most famous festivals.
Hatsumode:
Kanda Myojin Shrine is no exception, like other shrines in Tokyo during Hatsumode. People start lining up full three days at the beginning of the year.
Besides, as usual, many stalls are set up outside the shrines.
Kanda Matsuri:
Kanda Myojin Shrine holds the Kanda Festival, one of the three biggest festivals in Japan. Every May, the festival has taken place since Meiji Period (1868–1912).
The festival is held every two years, starting on Saturday. People carry out three gods in the morning as a parade and bring them back in the evening.
More than 200 portable shrines(mikoshi) parade the surroundings areas.
Daikoku Festival:
Daikoku Festival is celebrated in mid-January. Two priests perform the festival dressing as Daikoku-Sama and the other as Ebisu-Sama. They shake their small mallet(kozuchi) above the heads of the participants as a sign of good luck in matchmaking and family affairs.
In addition, another event that takes place during Daikoku Festival is called Kanchu Misogi. It is a purification event.
Participants take bathe to purify bodies and souls in ice-cold water. Men take bathe wearing traditional underwear called Fundoshi and women with a traditional white garment called Shiroshozoku.
Opening hours:
Twenty-four hours open and no closing day.
Access:
Nearest Station: Ochanomizu Station
5 minutes walk
Akihabara Station
7 minutes walk
Address: 2 Chome-16-2 Sotokanda, Chiyoda City, Tokyo 101-0021
Official website: