2We have a new year in 2022. This time, I will introduce the Setsubun Festival in Kyoto so that one year is a good year.
What kind of day is Setsubun in the first place?
In the lunar calendar, it was said that the New Year starts from spring. In other words, spring is the beginning of the year, but the day before
It seems to be Setsubun. In the lunar calendar, it is New Year’s Eve.
As a result, Setsubun is not necessarily February 3.
By the way, last year (2021) was February 2nd.
It seems to be the first day in 36 years that it became a day other than February 3.
Therefore, many people think that Setsubun is February 3.
In Kyoto, many temples and shrines hold Setsubun Festivals on Setsubun Day. So this time, I will introduce “Yomomairi”.
There are four shrines in Kyoto that protect the demon gate on all sides, mainly the Imperial Palace.
It is said that visiting the four companies is called “Yomomairi”.
On the night of Setsubun, evil (demon) first appears at “Yoshida Shrine” which is the Omotekimon gate in the northeast, is chased from Yoshida Shrine, then escapes to “Yasaka Shrine” in the southeast, “Mibu Temple” in the southwest, and finally “Kitano Tenmangu Shrine” in the northwest, and it seems to be confined in Fukube shrine of Kitano Tenmangu Shrine.
Why don’t you roll beans, eat delicious Ehomaki, and get rid of evil with “Yomomairi”?
Yoshida Shrine
It was founded in the Heian-kyo period (859) as the guardian deity of Heiankyo.
This year, it is held for three days, including the Setsubun Eve Festival, the Setsubun Day Festival, and the Setsubun Later Day Festival, across February 3rd in Setsubun. The Setsubun Festival, which has been held since the Muromachi period, is a major event that attracts 500,000 people every year.
Basic information
Time of visit: Please check the official website for the time of worship during the Setsubun Festival.
Admission: Free
Access: 20-minute walk from Demachiyanagi Station on the Keihan Train
Yoshida Shrine official HP
Yasaka Shrine
It is an old shrine that has been enshrined since before the relocation of Heian-Kyo (794), and it is known as “Gion-san”.
Unfortunately this year, it is said that the entertainment of dance, dance dedication, bean scattering, and freebies of luckybiki and amazake will be canceled.
Basic information
Time of visit: 24 hours possible, the shrine office 9:00-17:00 (please check the Setsubun Festival official website)
Admission: Fukumame first ear fee 300 yen, Mikenmori first ear fee 500 yen
Access: 5-minute walk from Gion-Shijo Station on the Keihan Railway
8-minute walk from Kawaramachi Station on the Hankyu Railway
Yasaka Shrine official HP
Mibudera Temple
Mibudera Temple was founded in 991. The Setsubun meeting will be held for three days from February 2 to February 4. Mibu Kyogen “Setsubun” will be released on February 2 and 3.
Basic information
Hours: 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Admission: Admission to the precincts is free. There is a fee for the museum.
Access: 7-minute walk from Omiya Station on the Hankyu Railway
Mibudera Temple official HP
Kitano Tenmangu Shrine
It is said that it started when Michizane Sugawara was enshrined in the middle of the Heian period (947).
This year’s Kitano Tenmangu Setsubun Festival Oiwa Ceremony will be held from 10:00 on February 3.
Basic information
Time of visit: 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Admission: Free worship in the precincts, treasure hall is 300 yen for adults
Access: 7-minute walk from Kitano Hakubaicho Station on the Keifuku Electric Railway (Arashiden)
Kitano Tenmangu Shrine official HP
In addition, there is a possibility that the viewing time etc. will change. Please check the latest information on the official website before going out before going out.
