Kanda Myojin Shrine

Overview

Kanda Myojin Shrine stands in Kanda, the heart of Tokyo. Revered as the Edo Soso-Jinja, it's deeply respected as the tutelary deity of Tokyo. Its founding is considered to be 1603, the year Tokugawa Ieyasu established the Edo Shogunate. Kanda Myojin is known as a deity of business prosperity, particularly attracting strong devotion from business professionals. It's also said to offer blessings for household safety, warding off evil, and the fulfillment of various wishes. The shrine grounds feature numerous historically significant structures, including the main hall (honden), the worship hall (haiden), and the gate (roumon). The main hall, adorned with vibrant vermillion and gold, is truly breathtaking. Towering trees, some hundreds of years old, provide a tranquil oasis, a welcome respite from the bustling city. Throughout the year, Kanda Myojin hosts numerous events. The New Year's visit (hatsumode) in January draws massive crowds. In February, the Setsubun Matsuri, a festival for warding off evil, takes place. May sees the Kanda Matsuri, one of Edo's three greatest festivals. This traditional festival, dating back to the Edo period, features magnificent floats paraded through the streets by local communities – a truly spectacular sight. Kanda Myojin is a place where history, tradition, and faith intertwine. If you're visiting Tokyo, be sure to pay it a visit.