Kanda Matsuri
神田祭 · Chiyoda, Tokyo (Kanda Myōjin)
One of Edo's three great festivals: a day-long procession of the hōren and mikoshi through Kanda, Nihonbashi and Akihabara, then a weekend of neighbourhood mikoshi pouring into Kanda Myōjin.
Know before you go
- Don't block the mikoshi or the procession
- don't touch the mikoshi
- don't cut through the procession to take photos
This article is Not yet verified. Please check official announcements for prices, opening hours and dates.
Culture
Culture & customs
Background
The Kanda Matsuri is the grand annual festival of Kanda Myōjin and, with the Sannō and Fukagawa festivals, one of the 'three great festivals of Edo'. The main festival is held every other year: in recent years it has fallen in odd-numbered years (2023, 2025); 2026 is a 'kage-matsuri' (off year), with no Shinkōsai procession or mikoshi entering the shrine.
Local customs
- The highlight of the main festival is the 'Shinkōsai': a day-long procession of the hōren and mikoshi through Kanda, Nihonbashi, Ōtemachi and Akihabara
- at the following weekend each neighbourhood association carries its mikoshi into Kanda Myōjin in turn (mikoshi miyairi)
Religion & beliefs
- A Shinto festival
- the mikoshi is the palanquin in which the deity travels.
Etiquette
Etiquette & taboos
Don’t DON'T
- Don't block the mikoshi or the procession
- don't touch the mikoshi
- don't cut through the procession to take photos
Locals appreciate DO
- Locals appreciate spectators who cheer the mikoshi from the roadside and follow the stewards' directions
- neighbourhood members carrying them take great pride in their own mikoshi.
Plan your visit
Practical info
Travel tips
- The main festival is usually in mid-May, with the grand festival on 15 May
- in 2025 the Shinkōsai was on 10 May and the mikoshi miyairi on 11 May
- 2027 is expected to be a main-festival year, with dates as announced on the Kanda Matsuri official website
2027 schedule
- 2027 is expected to be a main-festival year (odd-numbered), usually on a weekend in mid-May
- the official website has not yet announced dates.
Photos
Photos
江戸村のとくぞう · CC BY-SA 4.0
江戸村のとくぞう · CC BY-SA 4.0
Sources & verification notes
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