Information for the Setsubun Festival at Musashino Reiwa Shrine and Tokorozawa Sakura Town in 2023. Musashino Reiwa Shrine The Musashino Reiwa Shrine was designed, under the supervision of Kengo Kuma, as part of the Cool Japan project. There are many unique elements to the shrine, but the design is theRead More →
The Setsubun festival at Fudougaoka Fudouson Souganji Temple in Kazo is famous throughout Kanto and beyond. It is probably Saitama’s most famous setsubun-kai? So much so, champion sumo wrestlers, even yokozuna have participated in the mamemaki bean throwing in the past. It has the reputation of being one of theRead More →
For the first time in three years, Kitain Temple in Kawagoe will have their Setsubun Festival with a mamemaki bean throwing ceremony. Below you will find a first hand account of the setsubun celebration at Kitain Temple, as well as the information for the 2023 bean throwing ceremony. Setsubun celebrationsRead More →
The Setsubun Mamemaki train is coming back in 2023, for the first time in three years. It is a relatively new event that had only been running for three years before the pandemic, but it was very popular and a great way to celebrate setsubun. The setsubun mamemaki train isRead More →
Setsubun Saitama- Setsubun is a religious ceremony practiced every year on February 3rd. Historically setsubun, which literally means seasonal division, was a four day period marking the changing of the seasons. Risshun is, with rare exceptions, on February 4th. Risshun is the first day of spring and historically the startRead More →
Hanyu, Mascot Setsubun – a setsubun celebration where mascots throw the beans instead of demons or honored guests. Unfortunately, this event has been cancelled. Mascot Setsubun I love finding events like this setsubun with a twist in Hanyu. In most setsubun bean throwing ceremonies around Japan, either honored guests andRead More →
Have you heard about the Peacock Shrine in Saitama City? Or maybe you know it as the Quiz Shrine? It is one of those shrines that is very famous among Saitama residents and further afield among the history buffs. But it is off the tourist trail. Maybe the locals preferRead More →
Kijin (Kidin) shrine: one of only four shrines nationwide dedicated to demon. Hot on the heels of the New Year celebrations, is Setsubun. Setsubun is a festival marking the end of winter and coming of spring. It is celebrated annually on the 3rd of February. Shrines and temples around theRead More →
Information for The Baseball Shrine, Yakyū Inari Shrine, in Higashimatsuyma. Includes details for the popular peony festival and other seasonal events, such as setsubun. The baseball shrine is located in Higashimatsuyama city in Saitama. It is just 1 hour and 10 minutes from Ikebukuro on the Tobu Tojo line. ItRead More →
Free resources for Setsubun – setsubun is on February 3rd annually, except for rare exceptions. For example, in 2021 for the first time in 124 years, it fell on February 2nd. Setsubun marks the end of winter. Most families celebrate at home, but there are also dozens of events carriedRead More →