Kanto · TokyoFestival
Kanda Matsuri, one of Tokyo’s three great Shinto festivals, sends portable shrines and costumed processions through the heart of the city near Akihabara.
Overview
Held by Kanda Myojin, the festival dates back to the Edo period. Its grand procession (Shinko-sai) and the parade of dozens of mikoshi wind through neighbourhoods from Kanda and Nihonbashi to Akihabara and Marunouchi.
When and Where
Kanda Matsuri centres on Kanda Myojin Shrine in mid-May. The full-scale festival is held in odd-numbered years (the next grand edition is 2027); in 2026 the shrine holds its smaller annual rites in mid-May.
Getting There
Kanda Myojin is a short walk from Ochanomizu Station (JR/Metro) or Suehirocho/Akihabara stations, in central Tokyo.
What to Expect
In a grand year, expect a day-long procession of Shinto priests, musicians and warriors on horseback, followed by a spectacular gathering of around 100 neighbourhood mikoshi carried to the shrine.
Tips for Visitors
For the big spectacle, target the odd-year edition (next: 2027). Any year, Kanda Myojin is worth a visit — it’s the “tech shrine” beloved by Akihabara, selling IT-themed charms.
Access and Map
| Timing | Mid-May (grand festival in odd years; next 2027) |
|---|---|
| Venue | Kanda Myojin Shrine & central Tokyo |
| Access | Ochanomizu / Akihabara stations |
| Admission | Free |
| Official site | Kanda Myojin |
Source: Kanda Myojin (official)
Image: Photo: Ciphers / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
