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 steps into the spotlight on even-numbered years.
About Kanda Matsuri
The festival typically spans a full week in mid-May, but the main event—the grand parade—usually happens on the weekend closest to May 15th. The centerpiece of the celebration is the massive procession that weaves its way through central Tokyo.
Expect to see over 1,000 people in traditional dress, portable mikoshi shrines, musicians, dancers, and even mounted warriors marching through historic neighborhoods like Nihonbashi, Marunouchi, and Akihabara. All of this is meant to bring blessings of prosperity, good fortune, and protection to the city and its residents.
More Than Just a Parade
In addition to the parade, visitors can explore cultural performances, ceremonial rituals, and food stalls set up around Kanda Myojin Shrine, a beautiful and historically significant shrine located just steps from Akihabara. There’s also the Shinkosai, a ritual in which the kami (deities) of the shrine are placed in the mikoshi and carried throughout the area in a symbolic journey of blessings.
Even in years when the full parade isn’t held, the shrine hosts a series of smaller, community-focused events that still make the festival worth experiencing.
Kanda Matsuri 2025
Where: Kanda Myojin Shrine, 2-16-2 Sotokanda, Chiyoda City, Tokyo
When: May 9–15, 2025 (main parade expected on Saturday, May 10)
Access: Free, with excellent views from around Akihabara, Ochanomizu, and Jimbocho
Website: Kanda Shrine Official Site
Whether you’re a local resident or a visitor from abroad, Kanda Matsuri offers a one-of-a-kind glimpse into the heart of Tokyo’s traditions—with all the fanfare, pageantry, and spiritual energy that define Japan’s most iconic matsuri. See you there!
江戸村のとくぞう (Edomura no Tokuzo), CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
