When is Setsubun in 2027?

Wednesday, February 3, 2027. Setsubun is the day before Risshun, the traditional start of spring, which falls on February 4 that year.

Where can I see Setsubun bean throwing in Tokyo?

The largest events are at Senso-ji in Asakusa and Zojo-ji in Shiba Park, both held on Setsubun day. Many smaller temples and shrines across the city hold their own bean throws too.

Why does Senso-ji not say "oni wa soto"?

Senso-ji holds that no demons can exist in front of Kannon, the temple's main image. Its bean throwers call only "Senshu banzai fuku wa uchi."

Is Setsubun a public holiday in Japan?

No. Setsubun is a seasonal festival, and shops, offices and trains run as normal.

Can tourists join Setsubun bean throwing?

You can catch beans in the crowd at any temple event for free. Zojo-ji also lets members of the public apply in advance to throw beans from the stage.

Ehomaki is a thick sushi roll eaten on Setsubun night in silence while facing the year's lucky direction. Supermarkets and convenience stores sell them in the days before February 3.

Setsubun Festival, Tokyo: 2027 Date & Bean-Throwing Temples

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When is Setsubun?

Setsubun is the day before Risshun, the first day of spring in the traditional calendar. It is usually February 3, but the date can move: it fell on February 2 in 2025. The National Astronomical Observatory of Japan lists Risshun on February 4, 2027, which puts Setsubun on February 3.

The temple events are held on Setsubun day itself, whatever day of the week it falls on. There is no admission fee for watching.

What happens at Setsubun

The central rite is mamemaki, bean scattering. People throw roasted soybeans while shouting "Oni wa soto! Fuku wa uchi!" (demons out, good luck in). They then eat one bean for each year of their age, or one more in some places, to stay healthy. At home, a family member often wears a paper oni mask and gets pelted by the children.

Many families also eat ehomaki, a thick sushi roll eaten in silence while facing the year's lucky direction. For the origins of the custom and its regional variations, read how Setsubun customs began.

Where to see Setsubun in Tokyo

Senso-ji Temple, Asakusa

Senso-ji says it was the first temple in Edo to hold Setsubun on a large scale, and its Setsubun-e is still the best-known in the city. Priests and the year's toshi-otoko (men born in the current zodiac year) walk in procession from Denbo-in to the main hall, then throw beans from a stage on its east side.

Senso-ji leaves out "oni wa soto." Its tradition holds that no demons can stand before Kannon. The throwers call only "Senshu banzai fuku wa uchi" (long life and good luck in). After the bean throw comes the Fukuju no Mai, a dance of the Seven Lucky Gods, and entertainers linked to Asakusa take a turn throwing beans. The Senso-ji Setsubun-e program is posted on the temple's site. Expect a dense crowd in front of the main hall.

Zojo-ji Temple, Shiba

Zojo-ji holds its Setsubun Tsuina-shiki on February 3, with the red-lacquered Sangedatsumon gate as the backdrop. Toshi-otoko and toshi-onna in formal kamishimo walk in procession, and the stage program includes rice-cake pounding and a mock dialogue with an oni. Sumo wrestlers and entertainers join the bean throw.

Zojo-ji also takes applications from the general public to throw beans as special toshi-otoko and toshi-onna, with a prayer in front of the Kuro-honzon image before going on stage. Applications for each year close well before February. Zojoji Temple in Shiba is a short walk from Tokyo Tower.

Catching the beans

At the big temples the beans are thrown in small packets, often with candy or coupons mixed in, and the crowd near the stage reaches for every one. Stand toward the front well before the throw if you want a chance at a packet.

If you would rather see Asakusa without the Setsubun crush, a guided walk around Asakusa covers Senso-ji and the old streets on any day.