Setsubun is held every year on February 3, the day before the first day of spring in Japan. The festival involves the tradition of tossing soybeans at family members wearing demon masks – this symbolic pelting is to drive out bad luck and bring good fortune to the house.
Thousands have gathered at Sensoji Temple for the festival since the Edo period (1603-1868) to chant ‘Oni wa soto! Fuku wa uchi!’ (‘Demons out! Good luck in!’) as a form of spiritual spring cleaning. You might even spot a few Japanese celebrities amongst the crowds. On this day, it is also customary to eat giant makizushi rolls called ‘ehomaki’. The rolls are eaten facing the year’s ‘lucky direction’, so look for a stand selling the lucky snacks to complete your day of spiritual cleansing.
This year's event also features a ‘Dance of the Seven Lucky Gods’ called Fukuju-no-mai, plus bean-throwing by Asakusa entertainers to welcome visitors.