This time, I toured from Ageo City, Saitama Prefecture to Kanda Myojin Shrine in Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo on my beloved Harley-Davidson FLSB Sport Glide.
Kanda Myojin is a historic shrine that is said to bring good fortune in business and marriage, and is also famous for the Kanda Festival, which has been going on since the Edo period. This time I would like to tell you about its charm.
It took about 40 minutes to get from Ageo City, Saitama Prefecture to Kanda Myojin using National Route 17 and the Shin-Omiya Bypass.
On the way, I took the Metropolitan Expressway No. 5 Ikebukuro Line into Tokyo, got off at Iidabashi IC, and headed south along Sotobori Dori.
Sotobori Street is also known as a famous spot for cherry blossoms, but unfortunately, they weren’t in bloom yet this time.
Instead, I was able to admire historic buildings, bridges, and more as I ran.
As I turned west on Nakasendo and climbed Niizuma Koisaka, my destination, Kanda Myojin Shrine, came into view.
Highlights of Kanda Myojin Shrine
Kanda Myojin is a shrine whose three main deities are Daikoku-sama, Ebisu-sama, and Taira Masakado-sama.
Otomi no Mikoto is worshiped as the god of good harvest and marriage, Sukuhikona no Mikoto is the god of prosperous business and learning, and Taira no Masakado is worshiped as the god of warding off disasters and misfortune and good fortune in arms.
There are many amulets and omikuji related to these three pillars in the precincts. I bought an Ebisu-sama amulet hoping for business prosperity.
There are many other attractions within the precincts.
For example, there are the gorgeous shrine gates used in the Kanda Festival, one of the three major festivals of Edo, and the large copper torii gates that have been passed down since the Edo period.
There is also a facility called EDOCCO Cultural Exchange Center on the grounds.
Here you can experience traditional culture and enjoy tea and sweets.
I bought “Daikokusama Sable”, one of the specialty products sold at EDOCCO. This cookie is shaped like a gold coin and has a design that seems to bring good luck. The taste was also crispy and delicious.
Kanda Myojin does not have a dedicated motorcycle parking lot, but there are several coin parking lots nearby.
I parked my bike at a parking lot called Bike Timely Kanda Myojin Shita.
Please search NAVITIME for more information.
Summary
This time I went on a Harley tour from Ageo City, Saitama Prefecture to Kanda Myojin Shrine.
Kanda Myojin is a fascinating shrine full of history and culture. It is recommended not only to pray for blessings such as business prosperity and matchmaking, but also to experience traditional culture and enjoy local products.
If you come by motorcycle, you can park it at a nearby coin parking lot. Please come and visit us at least once.
