Best time to go to Tokyo

Kanda Matsuri 2023

One of the greatest festivals in Tokyo with 100 portable shrines being carried through the city

Kanda Matsuri
Kanda Matsuri
Kanda Matsuri
Kanda Matsuri
Kanda Matsuri
Kanda Matsuri

This massive celebration is held on the streets of Kanda, Akihabara, Nihombashi, and Otemachi districts. Central Tokyo looks incredibly festive and lively at this time with dancers, musicians, and lots of people in traditional costumes following the procession.

The festival was founded in the 17th century to celebrate Tokugawa Ieyasu's victory at the battle of Sekigahara. Later during Edo period, it was meant to show the prosperity of the Tokugawa shogunate. Also, the festival is honouring of the kami of Kanda Myōjin Shrine.

The festival is held on the weekend around May 15, only in odd-numbered years. The festivities may stretch over up to six days, but the main events are held on Saturday and Sunday.

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Last updated: by Eleonora Provozin