February is when the annual Setsubun rituals are held throughout Japan at local shrines and temples. Be sure to enjoy the unique experience of expelling evil spirits, praying for good health and luck, and eating ceremonial beans.
This time, we’re going to write about the fascinating Setsubun festival, which is celebrated at shrines around Kyoto city.
What is Setubun?
The literal meaning of the word Setsubun is “division of the seasons,”.
So it refers to the day before the beginning of each season (the first days of spring, summer, fall, and winter). Out of all the four Setsubun days, spring is the most special day. Though ancient people held the Setsubun festival for four times in a year, nowadays, it is normally thought that just February 3rd is the day of Setsubun.
It is believed that oni (evil spirits) come when the seasons change in Japan. People scatter roasted soybeans both inside and outside of their houses. Throwing roasted soybeans was first practiced back in the Heian period, to stop oni from attacking villages by throwing beans at their eyes.
At homes, people throw roasted soybeans out the door of their houses while shouting“ Oni wa soto! Fuku wa uchi! “ (Devils out! Good luck in!).
There are about 4000 shrines and temples in Kyoto. Setsubun celebration will be held throughout in Kyoto. “Yomo-Mairi” (Visiting four guardians for unlucky directions) is popular for many people; Yoshida shrine, Mibu temple, Kitanotenmangu shrine, Yasaka shrine. They’ll hold unique events to watch, so don’t miss that.
Yomo-Mairi
Yoshida shrine
At the Setsubun night, three onis appear at the Yoshida shrine.
It’s a cool place to observe Setsubun and there are also plenty of stalls selling food and drinks.
On February 2nd, “Tsuinashiki (ceremony to drive out evil spirits)” is held from around 18:00. Hososhi who wears a mask with four golden eyes were responsible for expelling red, blue, and yellow oni.
【Information】
Address:
30 Yoshidakaguraoka Cho, Sakyo Ku, Kyoto, 606-8311
Event Schedule:
February 2nd
8:00~ Setubun Eve Festival
18:00~ Tsuinashiki
February 3rd
8:00~ Setubun Festival
23:00~ Karosai (bonfire)
February 4th
9:30~ Closing Setubun Festival
Access:
A 20-minute walk from “Demachiyanagi” Sta. on the Keihan line
A 5-minute walk from “Kyodai Seimon mae” bus stop on the Kyoto Bus #206 at Kyoto Station
Yasaka shrine
Onis driven away from Yoshida shrine visit to Yasaka shrine.
Kyoto’s Yasaka shrine is a great one because the soybeans are thrown by geisha from the nearby Gion geisha district.
Fortune Beans are sold there and it’s a lottery that doesn’t have lose.
【Information】
Address:
625, Gionchokitagawa, Higashiyama Ku, Kyoto, 605-0073
Event Schedule:
February 2nd
13:00〜 Ponto Cho Kabu dance dedication/ Throwing beans event by Geiko
14:00〜 Yasaka gagaku court dedication / Throwing beans event
15:00〜 Miyagawa Cho Kabu dance dedication/ Throwing beans event by Geiko
16:00〜 Throwing beans event by the local community
February 3rd
11:00〜 Imayo court dedication / Throwing beans event
13:00〜 Gion Kobu dance dedication/ Throwing beans event by Geiko
14:00〜 Dram Performance/Shishimai ritual/ / Throwing beans event
15:00〜 Gion West court Kabu dance dedication/ Throwing beans event by Geiko
16:00〜 Throwing beans event by the local community
Access:
A 5-minute walk from “Gion Shijo” Sta. on the Keihan line
An 8-minute walk from “Kawaramachi” Sta. on the Hankyu line
A 1-minute walk from “Gion” bus stop on the Kyoto Bus #206 at Kyoto Station
Mibu Temple
Onis has driven away again from the Yasaka shrine then they appear at Mibu temple.
Mibu temple has more than 900 years of history. They’ll hold the Kyogen play which is a humorous and educational story at Kyogen-do hall.
【Information】
Address:
31 Mibunaginomiya Cho, Nakagyo Ku, Kyoto, 604-8821
Event Schedule:
February 2nd ~4th
Kyogen play holds every once an hour from 13:00 to 20:00.
Access :
A 9-minute walk from “Shijo-Omiya” by Arashiyama line
A 9-minute walk from “Omiya” by Hankyu line
Kitanotenmangu shrine
It is said that Oni finally escaped to Kitanotenmangu shrine, then they are put into “Fukubesya”. The shrine also holds the Dance dedication from geiko and throwing soybeans ritual.
【Information】
Address:
Bakurocho, Kamigyo Ku, Kyoto, 602-8386
Event Schedule:
February 3rd
10:00~ Tsuinashiki
13:00~Rituals, Throwing soybeans
Access:
Just in front of “Kitanotenmangu mae” bus stop on the Kyoto Bus #50,101 at Kyoto Station
A 5-minute walk from “Hakubai Cho” Sta. on the Keifuku line
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