Tokyo

It’s finally heating up, which in Japan means the return of bugs, humidity, cool biz, and (my personal favorite) festivals! From tiny towns to massive metropolises, nearly every corner of the country bursts into celebration, and Tokyo, with its deep cultural roots and buzzing energy, has more than its fair share. One of Japan’s three great Shinto festivals—alongside Kyoto’s Gion Matsuri and Osaka’s Tenjin Matsuri—is Kanda Matsuri, held in central Tokyo’s Kanda neighborhood and celebrated at Kanda Myojin Shrine. History of Kanda Matsuri Kanda Matsuri traces its roots back to the early 17th century, when it was celebrated as a way to mark the Tokugawa shogunate’s victory at the Battle of Sekigahara. In fact, it became so closely associated with the shogunate that it was designated one of the few festivals permitted to enter the grounds of Edo Castle (today’s Imperial Palace), making it a symbol of both political power and religious devotion. Originally celebrated annually, the Kanda Matsuri now alternates every other year with the Sanno Matsuri of nearby Hie Shrine—partly due to a historical edict aimed at avoiding friction between the two major celebrations. In modern times, Kanda Matsuri takes center stage in odd-numbered years, while Sanno Matsuri…