オフィシャル

Kanda Matsuri is the grand annual festival of Kanda Myojin Shrine, located in Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo. It is considered one of the three great festivals of Japan, held in mid-May every other year. With a history spanning more than 400 years, the festival was once known as a Tenka Matsuri—one of the two festivals whose floats were permitted to enter Edo Castle under the patronage of the Tokugawa shogunate. Today, it continues to captivate people from all walks of life.

The Main Hall of Kanda Myojin Shrine

One highlight is the Shinko-sai (Sacred Procession), where the shrine's main Mikoshi (portable shrine) travels through areas like Kanda, Nihonbashi, and Akihabara. Another spectacle is the Mikoshi Togyo, where all 108 local neighborhood associations each bring out their own mikoshi and parade through their respective districts. The climax comes with the Mikoshi Miyairi, as the portable shrines gather at Kanda Myojin Shrine. Blending tradition and modern culture, Kanda Matsuri is a beloved symbol of early summer in Tokyo.

Zuishinmon Gate of Kanda Myojin Shrine decorated with lanterns for the festival

Japan is said to be home to yaoyorozu no kami—literally, eight million gods. That’s to say, gods are everywhere—in nature, in places, and even in the ordinary objects around us. For many Japanese people, it’s natural to think that even if no one is watching, the gods are. Doing something dishonest? A god might punish you. Doing something good? A god might reward you someday. While most Japanese aren't particularly religious, this worldview remains deeply rooted.

Among these many gods, the ones that protect our local communities are especially important. The deities of Kanda Myojin Shrine watch over the Kanda and Nihonbashi areas, so the people living there revere them with deep respect. Festivals are held to show gratitude and bring joy to these protective gods. One of the main rituals is the Mikoshi Togyo, where locals carry portable shrines through their neighborhoods wearing traditional festival garments called hanten. This is the most vibrant and lively part of the festival.

To ward off evil spirits, a sacred rope is strung as a protective barrier. As the festival approaches, banners are raised and lanterns are hung to welcome the celebration.

A mikoshi is a portable shrine that serves as a temporary vehicle for the deity during festivals. You might think of it as a shrine on the move. For most of the year, however, the mikoshi is kept in storage, unoccupied—essentially an empty vehicle awaiting its divine passenger. Before the festival begins, shrine priests perform a ritual called mitama-ire (spirit installation) to invite the deity into the mikoshi, transforming it into a sacred vehicle ready to be carried through the streets.

During Kanda Matsuri, local neighborhood associations bring out their mikoshi on Saturday and Sunday of the festival week. These portable shrines are carried throughout every corner of the neighborhood. As mentioned earlier, the act of carrying the mikoshi is not the goal itself—it’s about guiding the deity around the area, showing appreciation, and receiving blessings in return. Since the gods are said to enjoy lively, cheerful energy, the mikoshi is carried with energetic chants and rhythmic movements.

Mikoshi: Each of the 108 neighborhood associations parades its own portable shrine.

Okariya – a temporary shelter prepared for the mikoshi.

A banner "神田祭" for the Kanda Matsuri hangs from a department store.

Even banks are decorated with lanterns.

A mikoshi is heavy—so heavy that no single person could ever carry it alone. It takes a whole team, working together, shoulder to shoulder. It hurts shoulders. It’s exhausting. But even so, carrying a mikoshi is fun in a way that defies explanation. Wearing matching hanten, participants feel pride in their neighborhoods and share a deep sense of unity. The sound of taiko drums, flutes, and voices calling out—everyone, young and old, men and women, wears a smile. It's a special atmosphere you simply can’t buy with money.

If you’re in Tokyo during Kanda Matsuri, I highly recommend experiencing this atmosphere for yourself—even if just for a moment.

Dates: May 8 (Thu) – May 15 (Thu), 2025

Mikoshi Togyo: May 10 (Sat) & May 11 (Sun)

Location: Centered around Kanda Myojin Shrine (2-chome, Sotokanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo), covering a wide area including Kanda, Nihonbashi, and Akihabara