When it comes to pilgrimages to sacred places in Akiba, this is the place to go. I went to Kanda Myojin, a sacred place! The 7th Akiba Exploration by Shun Gori

In the seventh installment of Shun Gori's Akiba Exploration, we visited Kanda Myojin (officially known as Kanda Shrine), which is famous among Akiban residents for "anime collaborations" such as Love Live.

Kanda Myojin has been a Shinto shrine for over 400 years, located about an 8-minute walk from Akihabara Station and 6 minutes from Ochanomizu Station, and was founded about 1,300 years ago in Otemachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, and moved to its current location in 1606. The shrine is dedicated to three deities: Daikoku-sama (Prince Ohonamuchi), Ebisu-sama (Prince Sukuna-Hikono-no-mikoto), and Masakado-sama (Prince Taira-no-Masakado).

Next to the Otorii gate is Amanoya, famous for its amazake (sweet sake). The amazake made in the underground malt room, which is said to be the only one left in the whole of Japan, is exquisite, so please give it a try.

After passing through the short approach to the shrine, you will see the magnificent Suijinmon Gate.

Incidentally, many people are unaware of this, but the hand-watering basin is located on the left side of the Suijin Gate, so you should purify your hands before passing through the gate.

After passing through Suishimon Gate, you will see the statue of Daikoku-sama and the Cultural Exchange Hall on your left. The "Bunka Koryukan" has the "EDOCCO SHOP" and "EDOCCO CAFE" on the first floor, the "EDOCCO STUDIO" and "EDOCCO STAGE" on the basement floor, and the "Kanda Myojin Hall" on the second and third floors, a multipurpose hall where collaborative events are often held. Not only souvenirs, but also omochidashi (money given as talismans) and good luck charms can be obtained here.

For lovebirds and pilgrims to the Holy Land, there is also a souvenir shop behind the Tezumisha, so be sure to check it out!

After visiting the main shrine, take a walk around the grounds.

Akari, the "sacred horse," will greet you at the side of the main shrine. There are not many places in central Tokyo other than zoos where you can meet horses, so be sure to say hello to the sacred horse as well.

Surrounding the main shrine are various shrines, such as Edo Shrine and Uogawashi Suijinsha, which were gathered through shrine enshrinement, so if you have many requests, it may be beneficial to visit all of them.

For those visiting from the Yushima/Tsumagoizaka area, there is also a back approach to the shrine.

There is also a Zenigata Heiji monument on the grounds of the shrine. Heiji Zenigata is a character from a novel, not a real person, so it is a monument, not a grave. The foot of the monument is shaped like Heiji Zenigata's main weapon, the Kan'ei Tsuho, and there is also a monument to Yagoro, or "Garakkachi," which is a nice touch for fans. In this sense, it may be Japan's oldest "sacred site.

In addition, there is also a "Sazareishi," which is sung in the national anthem and where the members of "μ's" in the "Love Live! The "Myojin Otoko Hill," a staircase that the members of "μ's" in "Love Live!" climbed every day to keep their strength up!

Incidentally, the Myojin Otoko Slope is the shortest route from Akihabara to Kanda Myojin.

If you want to pray for prosperous business, don't forget to visit the "Ebisu-sama Sonzou" statue next to "EDOCCO. Although the location is a little difficult to find, a guide map of the temple grounds is available, so you may want to take a walk while referring to it.

In the seventh installment of Shungori's Akiba Exploration, we introduced "Kanda Myojin," the guardian deity of Edo.
How about visiting Kanda Myojin for pilgrimages to sacred sites and events, or for a visit to Akihabara for the Winter Comic Festival and other events, or for Hatsumode?

We will continue to add more and more Akiba information in the future, so please look forward to it!

You can also see YouTuber Shun Gori's activities on YouTube.

He appears in various places around Taiwan, where he used to settle, so please check out his YouTube channel as well!

Store Information

Name:Kanda Myojin

Address:2-16-2 Sotokanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo

Phone number:03-3254-0753

Hours of operation:Open 24 hours a day for worship Please refer to the official page for the use of the hall and the awarding of amulets

Official page:https://www.kandamyoujin.or.jp/