A large and important Shinto shrine in the Kanda/Ochanomizu area, the Myojin shrine is home to the Kanda festival which is one of the three biggest in Tokyo.
Originally built in the year 730, the shrine has since been moved and rebuilt multiple times, although it did survive the bombing of WWII, unlike many other Japanese structures in the city.
The Shrine’s proximity to tech-central Akihabara hasn’t left it untouched—it is a popular spot to buy talisman for the protection of electronic goods.
On the shrine grounds, you will also find the Edo Culture Complex. This convention center and theater is currently showcasing “The Show”, an all-female retelling of Ono no Komachi.
The shrine is on a small hill which can be easily reached on foot from JR Akihabara Station. However, if you’re making a special visit to Kanda Myojin, the shrine is most easily reached from either JR Ochanomizu Station or Shin-ochanomizu Station. It’s free, but I’m sure your ancestors would appreciate the coin.
Nearby places and attractions
- Yushima Seido (Confucian temple)
- Mandarake
- Gatchapon Kaikan
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- 349 m from Suehirochō Station Ginza Line (G14)
- 374 m from Ochanomizu Station Chiyoda Line (C12)Marunouchi Line (M20)Chūō Line (Rapid) (JC3)Chūō-Sōbu Line (JB22)
- 0.5 km from Shinochanomizu Station
