Tokyo Days 55 - Kanda Shrine

On my last few days in Tokyo, I finally decided to pay a visit to Kanda Shrine.

If you do not know what Kanda Shrine is, it is the shrine heavily featured in the original Love Live anime.

It is both the site where the members practice and also the place where Nozomi works as a shrine maiden.

Because of its relative closeness to Akihabara, Kanda Shrine became chosen as the locale in Love Live.

That is not to say that the Kanda Shrine is not important thought as it is one of the most important shrines in Tokyo.

Together with Hie Shrine, these two shrines take turns hosting the Sanno Matsuri.

These days though, Kanda Shrine is better known for another reason.

And that is as a Love Live pilgrimage site.

Just look at all those ema(s)!

Almost everyone of them is dedicated to Love Live and Muse.

A large proportion of them were made prior to the Final Live.

Each one wishing for the best to both the 2D and 3D members.

It was great to see the adorable illustrations that everyone put so much effort into.

It almost makes you wish things did not end the way it did.

Still, the support for the 9 girls still remains strong!

This particular plaque was actually pasted on, the entire black bit is a sticker.

Rice!

Nozomi and Nico as miko(s).

Faito dayo!

The awesome third years.

Because Nozomi "works" in Kanda Shrine, she gets tonnes of love.

Other members too have their fans.

Nekomimi?

Hanayo looks so adorable with her glasses on.

That Maki.

Faito-yan

Final Live dedications aplenty.

There was even one made by Sunrise, how awesome is that?

Kotori-chun!

Lastly, a special NozoEli plaque made of 2 separate ema(s) combined together.

Last but, not least, we have the iconic steps which serves as the training ground for the girls. It really brings a surreal feel to actually visit Kanda Shrine and see all that goes on around it. To think that Love Live had such a huge impact on society just goes to show how great it was. From then on, I made it a point to visit Kanda Shrine every time I return to Japan. Now, just to wait for the next trip back.