【 Tokyo Academic Achievement Prayer Tour: Kanda Myojin Shrine and Yushima Seido 】

One of Tokyo's charms is the diversity of gods enshrined and monuments commemorated during academic achievement prayer walks. The recommended season is autumn, from October to November.

⛩️Kanda Myojin Shrine (Kanda Myojin)
📍Location: 2 Chome-16-2 Sotokanda, Chiyoda City, Tokyo 101-0021
💞Reasons to recommend: Within the precincts of Kanda Myojin, there is a monument marking the birthplace of Kokugaku (National Learning), a festival event honoring three deities including Kotohira Shrine, the guardian god of the sea, believed to bring blessings in medicine, healthcare, and business.
‘Shishiyama
Dedicated as one of the three great lions of the Kanto region during the Edo period.

Birthplace of Kokugaku
Kada Harumitsu first opened a Kokugaku school within the Shibasaki residence of this shrine’s priest family.

Deities of Mishuku Shrine - Ukanomitama no Kami, Festival Day - Early October
Deities of Kotohira Shrine - Omononushi no Kami, Kanayamahiko no Mikoto, Amenominakanushi no Kami, Festival Day - October 10’

⛩️Yushima Seido
💰Price per person: Free admission
📍Location: 1 Chome-4-25 Yushima, Bunkyo City, Tokyo 113-0034
‘Yushima Seido is a historic site in Yushima, Bunkyo City, Tokyo, originally built as a Confucian temple by Tokugawa Tsunayoshi during the Edo period. It was relocated and expanded from the private Confucian temple of Hayashi Razan and developed as a shogunate-run academy. It is now known as the birthplace of Japanese school education.
Details:
* Founded: 1690 (Genroku 3) by Tokugawa Tsunayoshi.
* Location: 1-4-25 Yushima, Bunkyo City, Tokyo.
* Purpose: A temple dedicated to Confucius, later becoming the shogunate’s direct academy (Shoheizaka Gakumonjo).
* Features:
* Centered around the Taiseiden Hall, with Nyutokumon, Kyodamon, and Gyokomon gates.
* Destroyed in the Great Kanto Earthquake but rebuilt.
* Current buildings designed by Chuta Ito, made of reinforced concrete.
* Access:
* 3-minute walk from JR Chuo/Sobu Line Ochanomizu Station Seibashi Exit.
* 5-minute walk from Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line Ochanomizu Station Exit 1.
* 5-minute walk from Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line Shin-Ochanomizu Station Exit B1.
* Others:
* The Confucius festival “Shakuten” is held annually on the fourth Sunday of April.
* Known for prayers for exam success.’

“I Am a Cat” Memorial
A monument commemorating the Meiji-era Japanese literary master Natsume Soseki’s novel “I Am a Cat”
📍Location: 1 Chome-1-1 Sarugakucho, Chiyoda City, Tokyo 101-0064

✝️Kanda Catholic Church Registered Tangible Cultural Property
💞Reasons to recommend: A church with beautiful stained glass inside
📍Location: 2 Chome-16-2 Sotokanda, Chiyoda City, Tokyo 101-0021

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