Kanda Matsuri – Tokyo Feudal Era Parade

The Kanda Matsuri is one of Japan’s most celebrated and historic Shinto festivals, taking place biennially in Tokyo. Dating back to the Feudal Era and once celebrated by the Tokugawa Shogunate, this grand event brings the spirit of old Edo (Tokyo) to life right in the heart of the modern city. It is a powerful cultural demonstration that showcases the deep-rooted pride and faith of the central Tokyo neighborhoods through an enormous, city-wide celebration.

The festival’s major draw is the magnificent Feudal Era Parade, the Shinkosai, where hundreds of costumed participants, priests, and sacred palanquins process through famous districts like Akihabara. Even more famous is the intense energy of the Mikoshi Miyairi. During this event, over 200 enormous, ornate portable shrines (mikoshi) are carried triumphantly through the streets, filling the air with spirited chants, drumming, and raw communal excitement. This spectacle of history and devotion is the absolute highlight for any visitor.