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.<\/p>\n
This time, we\u2019re going to write about the fascinating Setsubun festival, which is celebrated at shrines around Kyoto city.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/kyonaka-gozan.kyoto\/media\/koi\/sites\/10\/20190121_2-300x200.jpg\")
\nThe literal meaning of the word Setsubun is \u201cdivision of the seasons,\u201d.
\nSo 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.<\/p>\n
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.
\nAt homes, people throw roasted soybeans out the door of their houses while shouting\u201c Oni wa soto! Fuku wa uchi! \u201c (Devils out! Good luck in!).<\/p>\n
There are about 4000 shrines and temples in Kyoto. Setsubun celebration will be held throughout in Kyoto. \u201cYomo-Mairi\u201d (Visiting four guardians for unlucky directions) is popular for many people; Yoshida shrine, Mibu temple, Kitanotenmangu shrine, Yasaka shrine. They\u2019ll hold unique events to watch, so don\u2019t miss that.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/kyonaka-gozan.kyoto\/media\/koi\/sites\/10\/20200129-yosi-300x194.png\")
\nAt the Setsubun night, three onis appear at the Yoshida shrine.
\nIt\u2019s a cool place to observe Setsubun and there are also plenty of stalls selling food and drinks.
\nOn February 2nd, \u201cTsuinashiki (ceremony to drive out evil spirits)\u201d is held from around 18:00. Hososhi who wears a mask with four golden eyes were responsible for expelling red, blue, and yellow oni.<\/p>\n
\u3010Information\u3011
\nAddress:
\n30 Yoshidakaguraoka Cho, Sakyo Ku, Kyoto, 606-8311
\nEvent Schedule:
\nFebruary 2nd
\n8:00~ Setubun Eve Festival
\n18:00~ Tsuinashiki<\/p>\n
February 3rd
\n8:00~ Setubun Festival
\n23:00~ Karosai (bonfire)<\/p>\n
February 4th
\n9:30~ Closing Setubun Festival
\nAccess:
\nA 20-minute walk from \u201cDemachiyanagi\u201d Sta. on the Keihan line
\nA 5-minute walk from \u201cKyodai Seimon mae\u201d bus stop on the Kyoto Bus #206 at Kyoto Station<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/kyonaka-gozan.kyoto\/media\/koi\/sites\/10\/20200129-yasa-300x120.png\")
\nOnis driven away from Yoshida shrine visit to Yasaka shrine.
\nKyoto\u2019s Yasaka shrine is a great one because the soybeans are thrown by geisha from the nearby Gion geisha district.
\nFortune Beans are sold there and it\u2019s a lottery that doesn\u2019t have lose.<\/p>\n
\u3010Information\u3011
\nAddress:
\n625, Gionchokitagawa, Higashiyama Ku, Kyoto, 605-0073
\nEvent Schedule:
\nFebruary 2nd
\n13:00\u301c Ponto Cho Kabu dance dedication\/ Throwing beans event by Geiko
\n14:00\u301c Yasaka gagaku court dedication \/ Throwing beans event
\n15:00\u301c Miyagawa Cho Kabu dance dedication\/ Throwing beans event by Geiko
\n16:00\u301c Throwing beans event by the local community<\/p>\n
February 3rd
\n11:00\u301c Imayo court dedication \/ Throwing beans event
\n13:00\u301c Gion Kobu dance dedication\/ Throwing beans event by Geiko
\n14:00\u301c Dram Performance\/Shishimai ritual\/ \/ Throwing beans event
\n15:00\u301c Gion West court Kabu dance dedication\/ Throwing beans event by Geiko
\n16:00\u301c Throwing beans event by the local community<\/p>\n
Access:
\nA 5-minute walk from \u201cGion Shijo\u201d Sta. on the Keihan line
\nAn 8-minute walk from \u201cKawaramachi\u201d Sta. on the Hankyu line
\nA 1-minute walk from \u201cGion\u201d bus stop on the Kyoto Bus #206 at Kyoto Station<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/kyonaka-gozan.kyoto\/media\/koi\/sites\/10\/20200129-mibu-300x175.png\")
\nOnis has driven away again from the Yasaka shrine then they appear at Mibu temple.
\nMibu temple has more than 900 years of history. They\u2019ll hold the Kyogen play which is a humorous and educational story at Kyogen-do hall.<\/p>\n
\u3010Information\u3011
\nAddress:
\n31 Mibunaginomiya Cho, Nakagyo Ku, Kyoto, 604-8821
\nEvent Schedule:
\nFebruary 2nd ~4th
\nKyogen play holds every once an hour from 13:00 to 20:00.
\nAccess :
\nA 9-minute walk from \u201cShijo-Omiya\u201d by Arashiyama line
\nA 9-minute walk from \u201cOmiya\u201d by Hankyu line<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/kyonaka-gozan.kyoto\/media\/koi\/sites\/10\/20200129-kita-300x178.png\")
\nIt is said that Oni finally escaped to Kitanotenmangu shrine, then they are put into \u201cFukubesya\u201d. The shrine also holds the Dance dedication from geiko and throwing soybeans ritual.<\/p>\n
\u3010Information\u3011
\nAddress:
\nBakurocho, Kamigyo Ku, Kyoto, 602-8386
\nEvent Schedule:
\nFebruary 3rd
\n10:00~ Tsuinashiki
\n13:00~Rituals, Throwing soybeans
\nAccess:
\nJust in front of \u201cKitanotenmangu mae\u201d bus stop on the Kyoto Bus #50,101 at Kyoto Station
\nA 5-minute walk from \u201cHakubai Cho\u201d Sta. on the Keifuku line<\/p>\n
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