What is Setsubun in Japan?

Discover what Setsubun means, why beans are thrown on or around February 3, what to eat, and how visitors can join shrine and temple events.

Published October 21, 2026 at 8:23 AM JST | By Tokyo Paul

Quick answer: Setsubun is a Japanese seasonal observance held the day before spring begins on the old calendar, usually on February 3 (it can fall between February 2 and 4). People scatter roasted soybeans to drive away misfortune and welcome good luck, a custom called mamemaki. Many shrines and temples hold public bean-throwing events that visitors can watch or join.

What Setsubun means

Setsubun (literally "seasonal division") is a Japanese observance held on the day before spring begins on the traditional calendar. It is also called the bean-throwing festival and is counted among the early spring festivals. The date usually falls on February 3, though it can be February 2 or 4 depending on the year, so a calendar check helps when planning a trip.

The purpose of the day is to drive away the previous year's misfortune and evil spirits before the new year of the seasons begins. In Japanese tradition, the spirits are represented by oni, horned demons often pictured in tiger-skin loincloths. Setsubun is playful rather than frightening, and children in particular tend to enjoy shouting at and throwing beans at someone wearing an oni mask.

The custom has deep roots. It grew from a court ritual called tsuina that came from China and was introduced in the 8th century. Bean-throwing became common in households during the Muromachi period (roughly the 14th to 16th centuries) and spread widely during the Edo period, which is why it still feels like a family tradition today.

How mamemaki works

Mamemaki means "bean scattering." Roasted soybeans, called fukumame ("fortune beans"), are thrown out the front door or at a person wearing an oni mask while people shout "Oni wa soto! Fuku wa uchi!", which means "Demons out! Good fortune in!" The door is then closed quickly so the luck stays in the house.

After throwing, people traditionally eat the beans, one for each year of their age plus one extra for luck in the coming year. Packaged roasted soybeans go on sale in supermarkets and convenience stores in late January, and some come with a paper oni mask, which makes it easy for visitors who want to try the custom in a hotel room or at home.

The person who throws is traditionally the household's toshiotoko, a man born in the zodiac year of the new year, or the male head of the household, though many families today simply let children and everyone else join in. If the beans are thrown inside a home, it is polite to collect and discard them afterward, and in rented accommodation it is wise to check that throwing indoors is allowed.

Foods and customs of the day

One well-known food is ehomaki, an uncut sushi roll eaten in silence while facing the year's lucky compass direction. The custom is said to have begun in the Kansai region, especially Osaka, and spread widely through grocery and convenience stores, where ehomaki is sold in the days before Setsubun. Visitors can find it in many shops around the date.

Another custom is hiiragi iwashi, a sprig of holly with a sardine head attached, placed near the entrance of a home. The sharp holly leaves and the smell of the sardine are believed to keep the oni away. It is more common in traditional households than in city apartments, but a visitor may notice them at some entrances.

A charming folk belief holds that oni avoid people with the surname Watanabe, so some families of that name do not throw beans at all. This is a light-hearted detail rather than a rule, and it shows how local and personal Setsubun customs can be across different families and regions of Japan.

Where visitors can take part

Many shrines and temples hold public mamemaki events on or around Setsubun instead of, or in addition to, home celebrations. At these events priests, invited guests or local figures throw packets of beans, and sometimes sweets or small prizes, to the crowd. In Kyoto, some events include a dance by apprentice geisha (maiko) followed by bean packets thrown to the audience.

Tokyo's official tourism guide lists Setsubun festivals at Okunitama Shrine, Sensoji and Zojoji. Wikipedia describes the festivities at Sensoji as drawing crowds of nearly 100,000 people. Large events like this involve crowds, and some shrines also invite celebrities or sumo wrestlers to throw beans, which attracts media attention. Smaller neighborhood shrines can be quieter and more relaxed, and are often better for families with young children.

Visitors are welcome to watch and in many cases to catch beans, but it helps to follow the shrine staff's directions. Stand in marked areas, avoid pushing, and be ready for packets to land quickly. Each shrine sets its own program, so check the shrine's official page or the local tourism office for the time, location and any entry arrangements.

Costs, timing and planning

Watching a public bean-throwing event is often free, although a few shrines set aside paid or reserved seating for invited guests or donors, and some events ask for a small offering. The program is typically announced by the shrine, and times can vary through the day, sometimes with several sessions on the same date. Check the official page for the current schedule.

Because Setsubun falls in the middle of winter, dress warmly and be ready to stand outdoors. Early mornings can be cold, and larger events can also be crowded, so arriving early makes it easier to find a place near the stage. If the event is outdoors, rain or snow may change the program, so keep an eye on the forecast.

For travelers who just want to experience the custom, buying a small pack of roasted soybeans and an ehomaki roll is an inexpensive way to join in. Some accommodation providers also set up small bean-throwing activities, but arrangements differ, so it is best to ask in advance and avoid throwing beans in places where it is not welcome.

Common mistakes and misunderstandings

A common misunderstanding is thinking that Setsubun is only one day in February that has a fixed date. In fact the date is linked to the old seasonal calendar and may move by a day, so confirm it for the year of travel. Another is assuming that Setsubun involves any serious fear: the tone is celebratory, and the oni in the festivities are often comical.

Some visitors also expect the beans to be thrown at people. The usual custom is to throw at the oni mask or out the door, and at shrine events the beans are thrown toward the crowd by organizers, with the aim being to catch them. Throwing beans at strangers or in public places outside an organized event is not part of the custom.

It is also easy to mix Setsubun up with other New Year or spring festivals. The Lunar New Year, Hatsumode (the first shrine visit of the year) and the spring equinox all have their own separate customs. Setsubun marks the seasonal turning point before spring, and its bean-throwing is its most distinctive feature.

Practical next steps

Pick a shrine or temple that fits the trip, check its official page for the date and program, and plan to arrive early. If traveling with children, a smaller local shrine is a good first experience. Bring a small bag or hands free to catch beans, and wear warm clothes. Buy a pack of roasted soybeans and ehomaki in a supermarket if you want to try the customs yourself.

If the trip falls outside early February, shrines and temples still offer other seasonal events, and the Japan National Tourism Organization festivals page lists events by month. Local tourism offices are another helpful resource, as they usually publish the dates and programs for nearby events.

This guide shares general information; rules change, so confirm details with the official agency or provider before you act. Event schedules, seating arrangements and entry rules differ by shrine and by year, so check the event's own page before heading out.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do people eat beans equal to their age on Setsubun?

The custom is to eat one bean for each year of age plus one extra for luck in the coming year. The roasted soybeans are the same fukumame used in bean-throwing. It is a family tradition rather than a rule, so a visitor can simply eat a small handful.

What is ehomaki and when is it eaten?

Ehomaki is an uncut sushi roll eaten in silence on Setsubun while facing the year's lucky compass direction. The custom is said to have begun in the Kansai region, especially Osaka, and it spread through shops that sell it around the date. Many supermarkets and convenience stores sell it in early February.

Can visitors join Setsubun events at shrines and temples?

Yes, in most cases. Many shrines and temples hold public bean-throwing events where visitors can watch and catch beans. Large events can be crowded and some use reserved seating, so check the shrine's official page for the time, location and any arrangements before going.

Want to go deeper? Tokyo Paul's book Japanese Culture and Customs is available on Amazon.

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