"🔱Kanda Festival in May 2026 | A day to experience the Edo-Tokyo traditions revived in the main festival with all five senses"
Kanda Festival 2026 | Head to Kanda Myojin Shrine in Tokyo, Where History and Vibrancy Intersect
The Kanda Festival, held May 9-11, 2026, at Kanda Myojin Shrine, located in central Tokyo, is an urban festival that dates back to the Edo period.
On the first day, the divine spirit is transferred to a mikoshi (portable shrine) with a special evening ritual. On the second day, the festival features the magnificent Shinkosai and Tsukesai festivals, followed by a spectacular parade of approximately 200 mikoshi (portable shrines) from each neighborhood through the Kanda area. The final day culminates with the mikoshi entering the shrine grounds.
With a procession of costumed people, floats from each neighborhood, and the familiar chant of "Wasshoi!", you can experience Tokyo's history and the excitement of downtown Tokyo during these three days. Bring your camera and capture the excitement and traditions of the Kanda Festival! "
ℹ️Access & Crowd Avoidance Tips
• Access: 7-minute walk from JR Ochanomizu Station or Akihabara Station, 5-minute walk from Shin-Ochanomizu Station on the Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line. Public transportation is convenient due to traffic restrictions.   
• To avoid the crowds: Early departures for the Shinkosai Festival and the first night's ceremony offer relatively quiet viewing. Weekends are particularly crowded, so early mornings are recommended.  
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📅Event Overview (2026 - Main Festival Eve - Weekend)
• Period: Mid-May 2026, 6-7 days (main events centered on weekends) 
• Year: Held in odd-numbered years during the "Main Festival" year. 2026 will be that year. 
• Venue: A grand parade of approximately 200 mikoshi (portable shrines) will be held in 108 neighborhoods (including Kanda, Nihonbashi, Otemachi, Marunouchi, and Akihabara) centered around Kanda Myojin Shrine. 
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🕯 Main Schedule and Highlights
🌙 Eve of the Festival (Thursday)
• 7:00 PM: The "Hōkoshi Mikoshi Enzasai" (Pilgrimage Ceremony) begins, enshrining the deities in the main shrine mikoshi. A solemn ceremony will be held at Kanda Myojin Shrine. 
🌆 Day 2 (Friday)
• Evening: The parishioner neighborhoods will place the divine spirits into the mikoshi. Lanterns light up from Kanda to Akihabara, building anticipation for the parade. 
🪅 Day 3 (Saturday)—First Day of the Shinko Festival
• From morning until night, a spectacular procession parades through Kanda, Nihonbashi, Otemachi, Marunouchi, Akihabara, and other areas. Samurai costumes, horse-riding priests, and gagaku musicians bring a picture scroll of the Edo period to life in modern times. 
• 3:00 PM–4:00 PM: A variety of performances, including the Tsuke Matsuri and the Mikoshi Miyairi, captivate the audience. 
🏮 Day 4 (Sunday)—Mikoshi Miyairi
• Approximately 200 neighborhood mikoshi (portable shrines) enter the grounds of Kanda Myojin Shrine. The everyday town instantly transforms into a festival stage.   
• Afternoon: A votive dance, drumming performances, and a spectacular display of local culture unfold within the shrine grounds.  
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ℹ️Check before you visit!
• Crowd Expectation: Large crowds gather for the processions and shrine entrances on Saturdays and Sundays. We recommend securing a spot early and viewing from the backstreets. 
• Access: Approximately a 5-minute walk from Ochanomizu Station. Conveniently located near Akihabara Station. 
• Cultural Experience Spot: Learn about the festival's history and merchandise at the Kanda Myojin Cultural Exchange Center "EDOCCO." 
📸 Photo-worthy moments (example photo captions)
1. The spectacular mikoshi procession: The mikoshi and its bearers parade through the heart of Tokyo.
2. The mikoshi swaying along with the chants of "Wassoi!" (powerful shouts of "Wassoi!").
3. The mikoshi entering the shrine grounds: The unique mikoshi decorations of each neighborhood stand out.
4. A Stage for Traditional Performing Arts: Kanda Myojin Shrine Enveloped in the Sound of Shrine Maiden Dances and Taiko Drums
"The Kanda Festival, the grand festival of Kanda Myojin Shrine, is a crossroads between the elegance and bustle of Edo. The main festival, held in mid-May in 2026, is a spectacular event that draws hundreds of thousands of people from all over Japan.
The first day is a solemn celebration in which the divine spirit is transferred to a mikoshi (portable shrine). On the weekend, the highlights include the magnificent Shinkosai, in which approximately 200 mikoshi (portable shrines) from 108 neighborhoods parade through central Tokyo, and the Miyairi, in which the mikoshi gather within the shrine grounds. From the drum and fife procession, the votive dance, and the lively local food stalls, every scene is photogenic. It's a day to experience the 'spirit of Kanda' that has continued since the Edo period."
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