Kanda

Tokyo

Kanda
Kanda
Kanda
Kanda
Kanda

Religion and pop culture come together in this district where you can mingle with anime and manga fans and pay a visit to an ancient Shintō shrine.

Kanda is an academic and residential district in the Japanese capital, a place where religion and pop culture go hand in hand. Make an offering to the Gods of Fortune and shop for souvenirs or electronic gadgets in Akiba the “home of anime.”

Chuo Dori, the main street of Akihabara (or simply “Akiba”), is turned into a pedestrian area on Sunday afternoons and is all about shopping for electronic gadgets.

Visit a “manga kissa,” an internet café where you can read comics and watch DVDs. Or, for something really quirky, visit a “maiden café” where waitresses dress up as the shrine maidens from the popular anime movies for high school kids.

Each odd-numbered year in mid May, you can witness the Kanda Matsuri, one of Japan’s most-loved cultural festivals. This celebration was started by Tokugawa Ieyasu, a shōgun from the Edo Period, as a public display of prosperity. The parade starts at the Kanda Myojin Shrine. After some Shintō rituals, the deities are paraded around Kanda and neighboring districts and through the Edo Castle grounds.

If you are here in an even-numbered year, you can visit the celebrations of Sanno Matsuri or Fukagawa Matsuriinstead.

The Kanda Myōjin shrine has been here since 1616, but dates back to 730. A cultural hall with tea house opened in the complex in 2018, making this a great place to get familiar with some ancient, and contemporary, Japanese traditions.

Amazingly, a character from a blockbuster anime series has become an official mascot of the temple. What’s more, the on-site shop sells “IT charms” to protect your digital devices from intruders.

Another shrine in Kanda, Yushima Seido, is dedicated to Confucius, the famous Chinese philosopher. In late winter each year, the Yushima Tenjin Shrine near the Shinobazu Pond in Ueno Park holds its plum fest.

Kando delights music and book lovers with the Ochanomizu Music Instrument Avenue and the Jimbocho Book Town.

Among the more unusual sights in this ward is the Russian-style Nikolai-do, the main cathedral of the Japanese Orthodox Church, from the Meiji Period.

Kanda is just northeast of the Tokyo Imperial Palace (Edo Castle). Head to Ochanomizu Station on the JR Chuo line if coming from Tokyo Station near the main attractions. The trip only takes about 5 minutes.


Popular places to visit

Things to do


Top hotels in Kanda

Hotel Gracery Shinjuku
Hotel Gracery Shinjuku
4 out of 5
1-19-1 Kabukicho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Tokyo-to
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Tokyo. Enjoy free WiFi, parking (surcharge), and in-room massages. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (3,550 reviews)
"If they can provide daily refills of coffee and tea will be great. Elevator from ground to lobby has no air conditioning."

Reviewed on 8 Jul 2025

Hotel Gracery Shinjuku
Hotel Villa Fontaine Grand Haneda Airport
Hotel Villa Fontaine Grand Haneda Airport
4 out of 5
2-7-1 Hanedakuko, Oota, Tokyo, Tokyo
The price is RM369 per night from 13 Jul to 14 Jul
RM369
RM415 total
13 Jul - 14 Jul
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Tokyo. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 restaurants, and hot springs on site. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
9/10 Wonderful! (6,311 reviews)
"Will stay here again. Very convenient and clean. Great size for the room. Thank you."

Reviewed on 9 Jul 2025

Hotel Villa Fontaine Grand Haneda Airport
Tokyo Bay Shiomi Prince Hotel
Tokyo Bay Shiomi Prince Hotel
4 out of 5
2-8-16 Shiomi, Tokyo, Tokyo
The price is RM758 per night from 22 Jul to 23 Jul
RM758
RM942 total
22 Jul - 23 Jul
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Tokyo. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the restaurant in ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (3,166 reviews)
"Beautiful hotel, only 3 stops from Tokyo station. Friendly staff, spa was a little hot for summer days but relaxing. More Laundry facilities are needed for the size of hotel. Overalls a great stay and recommend."

Reviewed on 9 Jul 2025

Tokyo Bay Shiomi Prince Hotel
Hotel Emion Tokyo Bay
Hotel Emion Tokyo Bay
3.5 out of 5
1-1-1 Hinode, Urayasu, Chiba-ken
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is RM367 per night from 14 Jul to 15 Jul
RM367
RM412 total
14 Jul - 15 Jul
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in Urayasu. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 restaurants, and hot springs on site. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (2,685 reviews)
"Room was adequate for my family of 5 and breakfast buffet had quite a variety for vegetarians. Loved their hospitality🙏"

Reviewed on 8 Jul 2025

Hotel Emion Tokyo Bay
Richmond Hotel Premier Asakusa International
Richmond Hotel Premier Asakusa International
3.5 out of 5
2-6-7 Asakusa, Taito, Tokyo
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is RM356 per night from 14 Jul to 15 Jul
RM356
RM392 total
14 Jul - 15 Jul
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in Tokyo. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,597 reviews)
"We will definitely be back. Excellent service and the breakfast buffet was one of the best we’ve had. Room was clean and very kid friendly."

Reviewed on 9 Jul 2025

Richmond Hotel Premier Asakusa International
Shinjuku Washington Hotel Main
Shinjuku Washington Hotel Main
4 out of 5
3-2-9 Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Tokyo-to
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Tokyo. Enjoy free WiFi, 15 restaurants, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our ...
8/10 Very Good! (2,892 reviews)
"Management really needs to add more seats in their waiting area. 8 chairs for guests checking out and waiting for rides is ridiculous for a hotel this size."

Reviewed on 9 Jul 2025

Shinjuku Washington Hotel Main
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around Kanda

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Akihabara

While you're in Akihabara, take in top sights like Akihabara Electric Town and jump on the metro at Suehirocho Station to see more of the city.

Akihabara
Marunouchi which includes a city, a high-rise building and a fountain

Marunouchi

4/5(9 area reviews)

Travellers choose Marunouchi for its ample dining options. Hop aboard the metro at Nijubashimae (Marunouchi) Station or Otemachi Station and check out top sights like Imperial Garden Theatre.

Marunouchi
Akihabara Electric Town showing signage, street scenes and a city

Chiyoda

4.5/5(178 area reviews)

Enjoy the popular shops in Chiyoda. Nippon Budokan is a worthwhile stop, and you can jump on the metro at Kudanshita Station or Takebashi Station to see more of Tokyo.

Chiyoda
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Ueno

4.5/5(87 area reviews)

Travellers choose Ueno for its ample dining options. Hop aboard the metro at Ueno-okachimachi Station or Ueno-hirokoji Station and check out top sights like Ameyoko Shopping District.

Ueno
Ginza featuring a city, skyline and street scenes

Ginza

4.5/5(84 area reviews)

Enjoy the popular shops in Ginza. Ginza Six is a worthwhile stop, and you can jump on the metro at Ginza Station or Higashi-ginza Station to see more of Tokyo.

Ginza
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Chuo

4.5/5(140 area reviews)

Known for its popular shops and top seafood restaurants, there's plenty to explore in Chuo. Check out top attractions like Tokyo Bay and Roman Catholic Church of St. Joseph, and jump on the metro at Tsukiji Station or Shintomicho Station to see more of the city.

Chuo

Kanda