Kanda Myojin (Kanda Shrine)

History and Divine Virtue

Formally named Kanda Shrine, it is said to have been founded in 730, and in the Edo period served as the guardian shrine of the entire city, revered by shogunate and townspeople alike. Its three sanctuaries enshrine Onamuchi no Mikoto (Daikoku-sama), deity of en-musubi, the tying of bonds; Sukunahikona no Mikoto (Ebisu-sama), deity of prosperous business; and Taira no Masakado no Mikoto, deity who wards off misfortune. It remains the tutelary shrine of 108 neighborhoods spanning Kanda, Nihonbashi, Akihabara, Otemachi, and Marunouchi, and the Kanda Matsuri, held in alternate years, is counted among the three great festivals of Edo. Alongside its devotion to good matches and business fortune, its proximity to the Akihabara electronics district has made it known for amulets protecting digital information. With parishioners in both the business district and the old downtown, it is a shrine whose prayers span an unusually wide range — from companies' first worship of the year to petitions for good matches.

Visiting Notes

• Each of the three deities — Daikoku-sama, Ebisu-sama, and Lord Masakado — bestows distinct blessings. Pay respects to each in turn.
• The "IT Information Security" amulet is popular for blessing the tools of one's trade.
• The cultural complex EDOCCO offers amulets and hands-on experiences of Edo culture.

Deities and Location

Enshrined Deities

Ōnamuchi no Mikoto, Sukunahikona no Mikoto, Taira no Masakado no Mikoto

Location

東京都千代田区外神田 (Tokyo)

Access

About 5 minutes on foot from Ochanomizu Station (JR and Tokyo Metro lines)

Lineage

En-musubi: Bonds & Love, Wealth & Prosperity

Visiting hours, goshuin (shrine stamps), and festival dates change; please confirm the latest information through each shrine's official announcements. If you find an error in this entry, we would be grateful if you let us know.