Overview
Discover Shinto as a living way of life through a formal shrine visit at Kanda Myojin and a guided exploration of IMASA,
a historic Japanese merchant house in the heart of Tokyo.
For generations, Kanda has been a place where merchants, craftspeople, residents, and businesses have lived and worked side by side.
At the heart of this community stands Kanda Myojin, a shrine where people have long expressed gratitude,
prayed for prosperity and safety, and marked important moments in life and business.
Your experience is guided by a local parishioner of Kanda Myojin, someone with a personal connection to the shrine and the community it serves.
Through your guide's perspective, discover how the shrine, local traditions, and the culture of commerce
have remained closely connected across generations.
You will then enter the main shrine building to take part in a formal Shinto ceremony,
experiencing traditional customs of purification, prayer, and respect that continue to be practiced in Japan today.
The journey continues at IMASA, a historic merchant house, where traditional Japanese architecture, craftsmanship,
and stories of everyday life reveal how values such as gratitude, trust, respect, and community have been passed down through generations.
You will then enter the main shrine building to take part in a formal Shinto ceremony, experiencing traditional customs of
purification, prayer, and respect that continue to be practiced in Japan today.
The journey continues at IMASA, a historic merchant house, where traditional Japanese architecture, craftsmanship, and stories
of everyday life reveal how values such as gratitude, trust, respect, and community have been passed down through generations.
The experience concludes with an opportunity to ask questions and reflect through guided journaling,
connecting these enduring Japanese values with your own life and experiences.
More than a shrine visit, this 100-minute journey offers an encounter with the living spirit of Kanda
— where prayer, community, and commerce continue to shape the way people live and work.
◆Your Local Guide — A Parishioner of Kanda Myojin
Meet a local parishioner who will introduce you to the traditions of Kanda Myojin and the relationship
between the shrine and its surrounding community.
Through this personal perspective, gain a deeper understanding of the values and customs that continue to shape everyday life in Kanda.
Prayer, Community & Commerce — The Living Spirit of Kanda
Select a date &
make a reservation
Please press the button to request your reservation. We will check availability and notify you of the result.
Your reservation is confirmed only after you receive our confirmation notice.
Location
「Kanda Myojin」
2-16-2 Sotokanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101-0021, Japan
Price
The price includes a formal shrine visit at Kanda Myojin, guidance by a local parishioner,
a guided tour of the historic merchant house IMASA, and a journaling sheet for personal reflection.
The shrine offering fee and traditional gifts received after the ceremony are also included.
The contents of the gifts may vary depending on the ceremony arrangements.
Transportation costs are not included.
Schedule
Meet Your Local Guide at Kanda Myojin — 15 min
Meet your guide, a member of the Kanda Myojin parish community, and discover the history of Kanda Myojin
and its relationship with the surrounding community.
Learn why shrines have long been important not only in people's personal lives, but also at important moments in business,
and explore the cultural meaning behind prayers for prosperity, safety, and success.
Formal Shrine Visit at Kanda Myojin — 25 min
Enter the main shrine building and experience a traditional Japanese shrine ceremony, wearing a ceremonial neck garment (jōe).
Observe and participate in traditional customs, including purification, prayers by a Shinto priest,
and tamagushi rituals, while discovering the cultural significance of gratitude, respect, and well-wishing in Japanese life.
At the end of the visit, participants will receive traditional gifts from the shrine.
From Shrine to Community — 5 min
Walk from Kanda Myojin to IMASA while learning about the historical connections
between the shrine, its parishioners, local merchants, and the surrounding community.
Explore IMASA — A Historic Merchant House — 35 min
Step inside IMASA and discover a historic merchant house through its architecture, materials, and craftsmanship.
Learn about everyday life in a traditional Japanese merchant family and explore
how relationships with craftspeople, customers, and the local community were built and sustained across generations.
Through the house and the stories it preserves, encounter the values of trust, craftsmanship, and continuity
that have long supported life and commerce in Kanda.
Q&A Session — 10 min
Ask your guide questions about the shrine, the historic merchant house,
and the Japanese traditions and values explored during the experience.
Reflection & Journaling — 10 min
Take a quiet moment to reflect on your experience using a guided journaling sheet.
Consider how the values of gratitude, respect, trust, and continuity relate to your own life and work,
and what insights you would like to carry into everyday life.
Dress code
No specific dress code is required. However, modest, respectful attire is recommended for the formal shrine visit.
A traditional ceremonial neck garment (jōe) will be provided for the shrine ceremony.
Please wear socks, as shoes must be removed when entering IMASA, the historic merchant house.
Payment
Payment in advance / Credit card JPY only
Booking deadline
Booking must be made at least 7 days before the experience date
Cancellation policy
・From 20 days prior to the experience date: 20% of the total experience fee
・From 14 days prior: 25%
・From 7 days prior: 50%
・From 1 days prior: 100%
Cancellation fees are calculated based on the scheduled experience date.
Further remarks
To help ensure a safe, respectful, and comfortable experience for all participants, please review the following information before your visit.
Please let us know in advance if you have any injuries, medical conditions, or other concerns that may affect your participation.
Please refrain from consuming alcohol before participating in the program.
Please follow all instructions provided by the shrine priests, guide, and staff throughout the program.
During the formal shrine visit, please remain quiet and respectful, and follow the traditional customs and etiquette explained by your guide.
Photography and video recording are not permitted inside the main shrine building during the formal visit.
Please wear socks, as shoes must be removed when entering IMASA.
As IMASA is a historic wooden building, please handle its interiors and furnishings with care
and refrain from touching exhibits or historical objects without permission.
Please watch your step when walking through the historic building, as there may be steps and uneven surfaces.
If you are more than 30 minutes late without prior notice, your reservation will be automatically canceled and no refund will be issued.
Select a date &
make a reservation
Please press the button to request your reservation. We will check availability and notify you of the result.
Your reservation is confirmed only after you receive our confirmation notice.