Setsubun Festival

Setsubun Festival marks the early advent of spring on 3 February with a classical dance of the seven gods of fortune performed at Sensoji Temple. Dried beans are scattered at most temples and shrines to banish evil spirits.

The day falls on the eve of “Risshun”, the first day of spring or the New Year's day in the traditional Japanese calendar.
Selected men and women throw beans from the stage at the temple to the crowds wishing to drive the evil spirit away and beckon good luck that year.

There are 12 different animals in the Chinese zodiac signs, and each year an animal is chosen as the sign of the year, like "The Year of the Rat" and "The Year of the Ox". So, if it is the Year of the Dragon, the people who were born in the Year of the Dragon will be chosen to throw the beans for this festival.

People also celebrate this festival at home. Usually the father or the oldest man in the family takes the role of a demon. Inside the house, the rest of the family members throw the beans to the demon, saying "Oni wa soto, fuku wa uchi", which means "Evil is out, good luck is within."

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Contact Information

Setsubun Festival
1-1-1 Higashiishikiri-cho, Higashi
577-0056 osaka

Tel. +81729823621

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