Kanda Shrine (Kanda Myojin)

Akihabara / Kanda / Ochanomizu / Suidobashi / IidabashiArea

This shrine located in Soto-Kanda in Tokyo’s Chiyoda City boasts close to 1,300 years of history. In the past, this shrine was revered as the Edo Sochinju (the center place to pray for local gods) with a Soujigami (general local Shinto deity) that was the patron of Tokyo’s 108 towns. There are many commemorative photo spots including the impressive Shaden (main building) built in 1934 that is completely covered in bright vermillion as well as the “Chikara Ishi,” which is a big stone that was used by young people in competitions to show off their strength. The enshrined deities are Okuninushi no Mikoto (Daikokuten), Sukunahikona no Mikoto (Ebisu), and Taira no Masakado. The Kanda-matsuri festival held around mid-May is counted as one of the three largest Edo festivals. The shrine has even become famous in recent years for collaborations with anime works.