Kanda Myojin Shrine

Kanda Myojin (Japanese: 神田明神 / かんだみょうじん) is a Shinto shrine located in Sotokanda 2-chome, Chiyoda City, Tokyo, Japan. Its official name is "Kanda Shrine" (神田神社). The shrine is famous for hosting the "Kanda Matsuri" festival and serves as the guardian deity (ujigami) for 108 neighborhoods, including Kanda, Nihonbashi, Akihabara, Otemachi, Marunouchi, the former Kanda Market, and the Tsukiji Fish Market. Historically, Kanda Shrine held the status of a prefectural shrine (fusha) and is currently a "Beppyo Shrine" listed by the Association of Shinto Shrines. It is also one of the “Tokyo Ten Shrines,” which were formerly designated as quasi-imperial shrines.

Due to its proximity to Akihabara, a major hub of Japanese anime and otaku culture, the shrine has appeared as a background setting in various ACGN (Anime, Comics, Games, and Novels) works such as the Love Live! series, Steins;Gate, and Tokyo Ravens. It has become a popular pilgrimage site for anime fans. In 2019, the Anime Tourism Association selected Kanda Shrine as one of the "88 Anime Pilgrimage Sites You Definitely Want to Visit in Japan." A commemorative plaque and exclusive goshuin (shrine stamp) were established at the Kanda Myojin Cultural Exchange Center (EDOCCO).

In the anime Love Live!, Kanda Shrine appears under its real name and serves as the workplace of one of the main characters, Nozomi Tojo, who works part-time as a shrine maiden (miko). The shrine’s iconic staircase in front, known as “Myojin Otoko-zaka,” has also become a symbolic pilgrimage spot for fans. The shrine has officially collaborated with the Love Live! franchise by appointing Nozomi Tojo as its virtual representative character and releasing themed merchandise such as ema (votive plaques) and omamori (protective charms) featuring her.