MAY | KANDA FESTIVAL

The Kanda Festival is one of Tokyo’s major Shinto festivals hosted by Kanda Myojin Shrine. It takes place in the middle of May, but is only held every odd numbered year, alternating with the Sanno Festival which takes place every even numbered year in June. It’s roughly a week long, but the main event is on the weekend closest to May 15, when the Shrine brings out their portable shrine and parades through different neighborhoods for two days. Like all festivals in Japan, there are food stalls, festival games and joyous festival music. You can also watch the parade with the portable shrines leave and return the shrine.

The festival has been around since the Edo period (1603-1868) as a demonstration of prosperity under the new Shogun, Tokugawa’s regime. During this period, the Kanda Festival and Sanno Festival were the only festivals allowed inside the Edo Castle (where the shogun resided). They were both held annually, but competition became too fierce that they were ordered to hold it in alternating years.

Entrance Fee: Free

Photo credit: Japan Guide

Location: 2-16-2 Sotokanda, Chiyoda City, Tokyo 101-0021, Kanda Myojin Shrine

Dates: Weekend closest to May 15

Website: https://www.kandamyoujin.or.jp/what/

How to get there: A 5 minute walk from Ochanomizu Station on the JR Chuo Line. If you are in the Akihabara area, it’s about a 15 minute walk.