v2.webp){kind=logo}
- Mamemaki (bean-throwing ceremonies) — People shout “Oni wa soto! Fuku wa uchi!” and toss roasted soybeans to drive out demons and invite luck; it’s loud, physical, and very social — priests, locals, and sometimes celebrities stand on temple platforms and fling handfuls of beans while the crowd scrambles to catch them. (Personal favorite: the chaotic, hands-in-the-air energy of a local mamemaki.)
- Eho-maki (eating the lucky sushi roll) — A quiet, slightly odd ritual where you eat an uncut long sushi roll in silence while facing the year’s auspicious direction; the focus and the tradition of not speaking make it feel intentionally ritualistic, and shops sell endless creative variations for every budget.
- Oni parades, masks, and theatrical exorcisms — Costumed demons, dramatic makeup, and staged
- Mamemaki (bean-throwing ceremonies) — People shout “Oni wa soto! Fuku wa uchi!” and toss roasted soybeans to drive out demons and invite luck; it’s loud, physical, and very social — priests, locals, and sometimes celebrities stand on temple platforms and fling handfuls of beans while the crowd scrambles to catch them. (Personal favorite: the chaotic, hands-in-the-air energy of a local mamemaki.)
- Eho-maki (eating the lucky sushi roll) — A quiet, slightly odd ritual where you eat an uncut long sushi roll in silence while facing the year’s auspicious direction; the focus and the tradition of not speaking make it feel intentionally ritualistic, and shops sell endless creative variations for every budget.
- Oni parades, masks, and theatrical exorcisms — Costumed demons, dramatic makeup, and staged exorcism dances give the festival a theatrical, slightly spooky vibe; kids love wearing oni masks and small communities often put on local folk performances you won’t find in guidebooks.
- Shrine and temple purification rites and lucky talismans — Formal blessings, prayers, and distribution of omamori or fukuzasa (lucky bamboo) make the spiritual side tangible; you can join a simple purification ritual or buy a tiny talisman to take the season’s luck home with you.
- Street stalls, seasonal foods, and neighborhood atmosphere — Outside the big ceremonies you’ll find stalls selling roasted beans, sweet treats, and Setsubun editions of local food; the mix of families, kids in masks, and old-school shrine vendors gives the festival a cozy, lived-in feeling that’s best experienced on foot.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.
Best Backpacking
.jpg)
Hi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past 3 decades, I’ve backpacked through 90+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.