The full-on festival takes place every two years (those ending in odd numbers), but a smaller scale celebration also happens in the even-numbered years in between.

Kanda Matsuri dates back to the Edo period and has always been the great rival of the Hie Shrine's Sanno Matsuri (held in June), which was the main festival of the aristocracy. Each year, the residents of Shitamachi did their best to outshine their posh neighbours, resulting in the elaborate procession of floats, ornate shrines and lavish costumes you see today.

The beautiful gold and black lacquer mikoshi are the vehicles of the shrine's gods, and the purpose of the processions is to bring luck, blessings and prosperity to the area and its inhabitants. The climax occurs on the final day when 70 shrines are joyfully paraded through the streets, carried by teams of men and women in traditional costume. All this is accompanied by spirited chanting, traditional dances and plenty of beer.