The Anime Shrine

If I were one of the gods at the Kanda Myojin shrine, I'd give these mortals whatever they asked for!
If I were one of the gods at the Kanda Myojin shrine, I’d give these mortals whatever they asked for!

If you live, breathe, and want to work in anime, the Kanda Myōjin shrine is the place to pray that your dreams come true. But you’d better bring your markers and all your drawing chops, because competition for the gods’ attention is fierce. At most shrines, prayers are just scribbled on the backs of wooden ema with bleed-y black markers, but at Kanda Myōjin, the ones left by favor-seekers are real works of art.

Kinda makes me want to slink away in shame. Am I the only person in Tokyo who can't draw like this?
Kinda makes me want to slink away in shame. Am I the only person in Tokyo who can’t draw like this?

If you’d like to visit the Kanda Myōjin Shrine the next time you’re in Tokyo, visit my website, The Tokyo Guide I Wish I’d Had.

And just for fun, here are the eleven strangest shrines in Tokyo, with all the inside scoop on the resident gods’ superpowers

It’s the year 1784 and the shōgun rules with an iron fist . . . except within the walled pleasure quarter of Yoshiwara. Inside the Great Gate, samurai law does not apply, and it’s women who pull the strings

The Samurai’s Octopus…is a truly remarkable book, one that surprised and charmed me at every turn of the page. You’re in for a treat.”
James Ziskin, Anthony, Barry, and Macavity Award-winning author of the Ellie Stone mysteries

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Jonelle Patrick writes novels set in Japan, produces the monthly e-magazine Japanagram, and blogs at Only In Japan and The Tokyo Guide I Wish I’d Had

Published by Jonelle Patrick

Author of The Last Tea Bowl Thief

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