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Setsubun — Bean Throwing, Eho-maki, and Tsuina Rites: Complete Guide to Japan's Evil-Banishing Eve
Setsubun (around February 3) is a seasonal purification rite performed on the eve of Risshun (the first day of spring). This guide covers the origins of bean-throwing, eho-maki rolls, and the tsuina (demon-expelling) ceremonies held at major temples and shrines nationwide.
暦
Author
Koyomi
| Seasons & Customs
Contents
MOKUJI
一
Origins of Setsubun — From Nara Court Ceremonies to Popular Custom
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二
Eho-maki — Why Eat a Whole Roll in Silence?
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三
Setsubun Ceremonies at Famous Temples and Shrines
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四
Setsubun Pilgrimage Tips and Yakubarai (Misfortune-Purging)
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五
One-Day Setsubun Pilgrimage Route — Tokyo Plan
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六
Frequently Asked Questions
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Setsubun, observed around February 3, is a purification rite performed on the eve of Risshun (the first day of spring). Shouting “Oni wa soto! Fuku wa uchi!” (“Demons out! Fortune in!”) while scattering roasted soybeans, eating eho-maki rolls in silence, and hanging sardine heads on holly branches — these customs trace back to a court ceremony called Tsuina that began in the Nara period.
Mamemaki (bean-throwing) at Tokuan Shrine, Higashi-Osaka — participants scatter roasted soybeans shouting "Oni wa soto! Fuku wa uchi!"
Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 / MASA
Origins of Setsubun — From Nara Court Ceremonies to Popular Custom
The word “setsubun” originally referred to the eve of any of the four seasonal transitions (Risshun, Rikka, Risshu, Ritto). However, since Risshun (the start of spring) marked the beginning of the New Year in the old lunar calendar, the Setsubun before Risshun became by far the most significant, and today “Setsubun” means February 3.
What is the Tsuina (Tsuinashiki) ceremony?
The Tsuinashiki ritual was imported from China during the Nara period (8th century) as an imperial court ceremony for expelling evil spirits. An official called Hososhi wore a fearsome four-eyed golden mask and wielded a spear and shield to drive demons from the palace. Today, Sensoji Temple in Asakusa performs a traditional “oni-yarai” (demon-expelling) ceremony at Setsubun.
When did bean-throwing become the standard practice?
The current form of mamemaki (bean-throwing) is believed to have taken shape during the Muromachi period. Roasted soybeans (fuku-mame) — because “iru” (roasting) sounds like “iru” (to shoot) — are hurled at demons while shouting “Oni wa soto!” Eating the same number of beans as one’s age is believed to ward off illness for the coming year.
Custom
Origin
Mamemaki (bean-throwing)
Muromachi period; roasted soybeans repel demons
Eho-maki
Late Edo–Meiji era, Osaka origin; spread nationwide in the 1990s
Hiiragi iwashi (holly-sardine)
Heian period; thorns and smell repel demons
Tsuinashiki ceremony
Nara period; derived from Chinese “na” ritual
Roasted soybeans in a masu cup alongside an oni (demon) mask, Katori City, Chiba — classic setsubun props
Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 / katorisi
Eho-maki — Why Eat a Whole Roll in Silence?
When did eho-maki originate?
Eho-maki (“lucky direction roll”) traces to a custom among Osaka merchants in the late Edo to Meiji era, but its nationwide spread came in the 1990s when convenience store chains began selling it. “Eho” (auspicious direction) refers to the direction where the year’s presiding deity (Toshitokujin) resides, which changes annually. Eating a full uncut roll in silence while facing the eho direction is believed to lock in the year’s good fortune.
Year
Eho Direction
2026
South-southeast
2025
West-southwest
2024
East-northeast
What are the seven traditional fillings?
The traditional eho-maki contains seven fillings corresponding to the Seven Gods of Fortune: kanpyo (dried gourd), cucumber, date roll, eel or conger eel, pink flake (denbu), and shiitake mushroom are among the most common, varying by region.
An oni driven away by scattered beans — ukiyo-e woodblock print by Katsushika Hokusai (Edo period, public domain)
Wikimedia Commons / Public Domain / Katsushika Hokusai
Setsubun Ceremonies at Famous Temples and Shrines
Setsubun-e (Setsubun festival events) featuring celebrity bean-throwing are held at major temples and shrines across Japan.
Tokyo and Kanto highlights
Sensoji (Taito, Tokyo) hosts one of Tokyo’s largest Setsubun events, with celebrities throwing soybeans from the stage. Its traditional oni-yarai ceremony is equally renowned.
Kanda Myojin (Chiyoda, Tokyo) holds a lively Setsubun festival with costumed demon processions and bean-throwing, beloved as a downtown Tokyo tradition.
Naritasan Shinshoji (Narita, Chiba) is one of Japan’s most visited temples, dedicated to Fudo Myo-o. Its Setsubun bean-throwing ceremony — featuring champion sumo wrestlers and celebrities — is a nationally televised event.
Kansai highlights
Yasaka Shrine (Higashiyama, Kyoto) holds Setsubun-sai in February with performances by maiko and geiko (geisha apprentices and geisha). The combination of Gion’s geisha culture and Setsubun is uniquely Kyoto.
Zojoji (Minato, Tokyo), the Tokugawa family temple, holds a solemn Setsubun memorial service alongside popular bean-throwing events.
Hiiragi iwashi (Tokyo) — a roasted sardine head mounted on a holly branch, the traditional apotropaic decoration hung at doorways on setsubun
Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 4.0 / Nesnad
Setsubun Pilgrimage Tips and Yakubarai (Misfortune-Purging)
What should you pray for at Setsubun?
Setsubun is primarily for “yakubarai” (evil/misfortune purging), “kaiu” (good fortune), and “mubyo-sokusai” (health and freedom from illness). People in their “yakudoshi” (unlucky years) particularly benefit from participation.
Yakudoshi for men
Ages 25, 42 (great yakudoshi), 61
Yakudoshi for women
Ages 19, 33 (great yakudoshi), 37
Mae-yaku, Hon-yaku, Ato-yaku
Includes one year before and after each yakudoshi
How should Hiiragi Iwashi be displayed?
Hiiragi Iwashi (holly-sardine) is made by skewering a grilled sardine head on a holly branch and hanging it at the entrance of one’s home. The strong smell of grilled sardine and the sharp holly thorns are believed to repel demons. Also called “yaikagashi,” it is traditionally displayed from Setsubun day until around February 5.
Setsubun festival at Yoshida Shrine (Kyoto) — one of Japan's three great setsubun festivals, drawing around 500,000 visitors over three days
Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 3.0 / ccfarmer
One-Day Setsubun Pilgrimage Route — Tokyo Plan
1.
Morning: Sensoji — observe the oni-yarai and mamemaki ceremony (approx. 10am–3pm)
2.
Lunch: Asakusa shopping street
3.
Afternoon: Kanda Myojin — Setsubun festival visit
4.
Evening: Zojoji — Setsubun memorial service
Major sites become very crowded on Setsubun day. Check event schedules in advance and arrive early.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Setsubun usually on February 3?
Setsubun falls on the day before Risshun, whose exact date is determined astronomically and can shift slightly. In 2021, for the first time in 124 years, Setsubun fell on February 2. It may occasionally fall on February 2 or 4.
What time should bean-throwing be done?
Traditionally, mamemaki is performed after nightfall, since demons are believed to visit at night. Modern households often perform it in the afternoon, and there are no strict time rules.
Should I eat the same number of beans as my age?
The tradition calls for eating beans equal to your age in the old Japanese counting system (actual age + 1), to ensure good health for the coming year. Older individuals sometimes substitute chocolates or peanuts due to the large quantity involved.
Must I eat the entire eho-maki roll?
The rules are: eat it whole (no cutting), face the eho direction, and remain silent while eating (talking is said to let the fortune escape). If you cannot finish it, the most important element is facing the correct direction and eating without cutting.
What kind of beans are used for mamemaki?
Traditionally, roasted soybeans (fuku-mame) are used. In Hokkaido and the Tohoku region, peanuts in the shell are widely used because they are hygienic and easy to gather and eat after throwing. Some shrines have also adopted peanut throwing.
Last updated: April 25, 2026
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Author
Koyomi（こよみ）
Seasons & Customs
Toku editorial team — seasons and customs. Former travel-magazine editor delivering bloom timings, annual rituals and visit etiquette in sense-laden prose accessible to first-timers.
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