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Setsubun

Get ready to drive away evil spirits and welcome good luck with traditional bean-throwing celebrations on Setsubun!

Wednesday

February 2027

Last updated February 7, 2026 · by the Holiday Calendar Team

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YEARLY DATEFebruary 3

OBSERVED INJapan

CATEGORYReligion

SUBCATEGORYOther Religion

INTRO

Introduction

PHOTO

Get ready to celebrate the traditional Japanese holiday of Setsubun on February 3! This day marks the beginning of spring in Japan and is a time to ward off evil spirits and bring good luck for the new year. One of the most popular customs on this day is throwing roasted soybeans at temples and shrines while shouting "Oni wa soto, fuku wa uchi" (Out with the demons, in with fortune). It's also a time for delicious food, like eating uncut sushi rolls called eho-maki for good luck. Let's learn more about this unique and festive holiday!

TIMELINE

Setsubun Timeline

Setsubun Origins

Setsubun, marking the change of seasons, is first noted in ancient Japanese texts, beginning as a religious ritual to cleanse evil and bring good fortune.

Soybean Custom Introduction

The custom of scattering roast soybeans around houses and temples as a prayer for good health and fortune emerged in the Muromachi period.

Eho-Maki Tradition Begins

The tradition of eating eho-maki (a type of sushi roll) facing the year's good fortune direction became popular during the Edo period.

Commercialization of Setsubun

Setsubun began to be heavily commercialized in the 1980s, with retailers selling ready-made eho-maki and soybean packets for the festival.

Setsubun Festivals Grow

Major temples and shrines started hosting large Setsubun festivals in the 1990s, attracting both locals and tourists

Global Recognition of Setsubun

More non-Japanese communities started to celebrate Setsubun, largely due to the global popularity of Japanese culture in the 2000s.

GET INVOLVED

How to Celebrate Setsubun

Make your own Ehomaki rolls

Ehomaki is a traditional food eaten on Setsubun, which consists of a thick sushi roll filled with seven different ingredients. Try making your own Ehomaki rolls at home and have fun experimenting with different fillings.

ATTEND

Attend a Setsubun festival

Many temples and shrines in Japan hold Setsubun festivals with traditional performances and rituals. Attend one of these festivals to experience the cultural significance of Setsubun first-hand.

WEAR

Wear an Oni mask and participate in Mamemaki

During Setsubun, people wear Oni masks to represent the evil spirits being driven away. Join in on the tradition by wearing an Oni mask and participating in Mamemaki, where you throw roasted soybeans to drive away evil and bring good luck for the year ahead.

LEARN

Learn about the history and meaning of Setsubun

Take some time to research the origins and cultural significance of Setsubun. This will give you a deeper understanding and appreciation for the holiday as you celebrate it.

MAKE

Make Oni-sugars for your friends and family

Oni-sugars are small candies shaped like Oni masks, often given to friends and family as a token of good luck on Setsubun. Try making your own Oni-sugars and give them out to loved ones to spread the holiday spirit.

WHY THIS DAY MATTERS

Why We Love Setsubun

It marks the beginning of spring

After a long, cold winter, Setsubun signals the arrival of spring. This brings hope for warmer weather, new beginnings, and fresh starts. Plus, who doesn't love an excuse to clean and declutter their home during this time?

It's a fun and unique tradition

Setsubun is a unique Japanese holiday that celebrates the start of spring by driving away evil spirits with roasted soybeans. It's not something you see every day, making it a fun and interesting tradition to be a part of!

It brings people together

Setsubun is often celebrated with families and communities coming together to perform rituals and eat special foods. It's a great opportunity to bond with loved ones and partake in something meaningful.

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