There's not much time left until 2024. Have you made your plans for the first shrine visit of the year in 2025 yet? For those who haven't made any plans yet, this time we will introduce some shrine visit spots that are easily accessible from Akihabara, Tokyo.

【table of contents】

Kanda Shrine

Yasukuni Shrine

Tokyo Daijingu Shrine

* Kameido Tenjin Shrine

◆Kanda Shrine

First, there is Kanda Myojin, a familiar shrine in Akihabara. Following the New Year's Eve festival at Kanda Myojin, the first Shinto ritual of the year is held at midnight on New Year's Day. With the opening of the Zuishinmon Gate, parishioners and worshippers pray for good health and good fortune for the year. Kanda Myojin is a shrine that offers benefits for general good fortune, business prosperity, protection from misfortune, matchmaking, and victory, and is visited by many companies as well as individual worshippers. In December of this year, Kanda Myojin opened a complex called the Cultural Exchange Center, which includes a charm distribution center and prayer reception desk. It has become easier to visit and is now more comfortable, so please take this opportunity to visit.

Kanda Shrine

TEL：03-3254-0753

Address: 2-16-2 Sotokanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo

Yasukuni Shrine

Yasukuni Shrine was built to console the spirits of those who sacrificed their lives for the nation and to pass on their achievements to future generations. It is also very famous as a cherry blossom viewing spot. More than 5 million people visit the shrine every year, of which about 200,000 visit for the first time of the year and about 500,000 visit during the cherry blossom season. During the first visit of the year period from January 1st to January 4th, sacred sake and sweet sake are also served. Since Yasukuni Shrine is a shrine that enshrines war dead, there is no god that can be called a "god of blessings." However, there are various theories about the benefits of Yasukuni Shrine, and it is said that it is beneficial for "warding off evil," "recovering from illness," and "academic success." It is especially beneficial for passing the entrance exam to Tokyo University, where many of the war dead graduated. It takes about 5 minutes to get to Kudanshita, the nearest station to Yasukuni Shrine, from Iwamotocho Station on the Toei Shinjuku Line, which is a short walk from JR Akihabara Station, without changing trains. Why not make your first visit of the year to Yasukuni Shrine and pray for world peace?

Yasukuni Shrine

TEL：03-3261-8326

Address: 3-1-1 Kudankita, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo

◆Tokyo Daijingu Shrine

Also known as "Tokyo's Ise Shrine," Tokyo Daijingu is a very famous power spot for matchmaking. It is also known as the first shrine in Japan to hold a Shinto wedding ceremony, and traditional marriage ceremonies are still preserved and passed down today. During the New Year's visit period, Ise specialties Akafuku, barrel sake, and oshiruko will be given away on a first-come, first-served basis. In addition, mini zodiac votive plaques for good luck will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis only to worshippers who have received a talisman or amulet. Tokyo Daijingu's amulets are also very cute and easy for women to carry, making it a highly recommended shrine for women. The nearest station is Iidabashi Station, which is about 6 minutes by Sobu Line from JR Akihabara Station without transfers. It might be a good idea to pray for a good relationship at the New Year's visit this year!

Tokyo Daijingu Shrine

TEL：03-3262-3566

Address: 2-4-1 Fujimi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo

◆ Kameido Tenjin Shrine

Kameido Tenjin Shrine, which enshrines Sugawara no Michizane, is known as a shrine that is popular with students during exam season and is known for its benefits in academics and protection from evil. It is also famous as Tokyo's leading wisteria viewing spot, with over 50 wisteria stalks in full bloom at the end of April. Within the shrine grounds, there is a shrine called Hanazonosha, which enshrines Michizane's wife, and it is said that this shrine grants benefits in safe childbirth, child rearing, and career advancement. Don't forget to visit this shrine as well. The nearest station to Kameido Tenjin Shrine, Kinshicho Station, is about 10 minutes away on the Sobu Line from JR Akihabara Station without any transfers! Make your first visit of the year to this shrine, famous for its wisteria, wearing a wisteria-patterned or wisteria-colored kimono. We highly recommend it!

Kameido Tenjin Shrine

TEL：03-3681-0010

Address: 3-6-1 Kameido, Koto-ku, Tokyo

What did you think? This time, we introduced some easy-to-access shrine visit spots from Akihabara. Have you ever thought to yourself every year, "I'd like to wear a kimono to visit the shrine this year," but given up because buying a kimono is expensive and it's a hassle to arrange for someone to put it on and make an appointment at a beauty salon?

That's when we recommend renting a kimono. At VASARA Kimono Rental Akihabara Kanda Myojin store, you can easily access all the spots we introduced this time. You can get dressed and have your hair done without having to make a reservation at a separate store, so preparations are very smooth. Why not try wearing a kimono to visit the shrine this year?

For more information on VASARA Akihabara Kanda Myojin store, click here