
節分 (Setsubun )
In Japan, the day before “立春(Risshun)” (the beginning of spring) is called “Setsubun.” Since “Risshun” usually falls around February 4th, so February 3rd is typically the day for Setsubun.
However, in 2025, something quite rare will happen—Risshun will fall on February 3rd, which means Setsubun will be celebrated on February 2nd instead.
Traditionally, according to the lunar calendar, New Year’s Day fell on the new moon closest to Risshun. As a result, Setsubun became a significant event marking the start of the year. The custom of “豆まき(mamemaki)” (bean-throwing) began as a way to drive away the evil spirits and misfortunes of the previous year and welcome good fortune for the new one.
Why beans, you might ask? Beans, being seeds, represent the source of life. When planted in fields, they grow into food or future seeds, symbolizing the cycle of life and continuity. For this reason, beans were considered powerful and tied to the wish for prosperity and abundant descendants. Roasted beans used in the ceremony are known as “福豆(fukumame)” or lucky beans.
When we were kids, we used to actually throw beans outside while shouting, “鬼はー外(Oni waー soto!)” (“Out with the demons!”) and then throw beans inside the house while shouting, “福はー内(Fuku waー uchi!)” (“In with good fortune!”). These days, due to environmental concerns, many people only pretend to throw beans outside or throw a small amount and clean it up immediately.
Still, it’s not uncommon to spot beans scattered along the roadside the day after Setsubun!

Another tradition on Setsubun is eating roasted beans equal to your age. This is meant to express gratitude for safely completing the previous year. However, eating 30 or 40 beans can be quite challenging, so many people don’t strictly follow this practice anymore.
On Setsubun Day, there is a tradition of eating a sushi roll called “恵方巻(ehomaki).” While regular sushi rolls are usually cut for easy eating, ehomaki should not be cut. You eat it whole, taking a big bite. The custom is to eat it in hopes of bringing happiness and good fortune for the year, as it is believed that cutting it could sever the connection to luck or disrupt the flow of blessings.
Additionally, each year has a specific “恵方(ehō)” (the lucky direction), and it is considered auspicious to face this direction while eating the ehomaki. For Setsubun 2025, the lucky direction is south-southwest.
It is also said that you should not speak while eating the ehomaki. The reason is that if you speak, your luck will escape, according to tradition.
So, this year, let’s eat the “uncut sushi rolls” that you often find in supermarkets, facing south-southwest, and make sure to eat them in silence!

Across Japan, shrines hold bean-throwing events. Shrine officials and “年男(toshiotoko)、年女(tosihonna)” (people whose zodiac sign matches the year’s zodiac) throw beans, and people scramble to collect them as lucky tokens. At larger shrines, celebrities, sumo wrestlers, and athletes are often invited to throw beans, making the event even more exciting. Adults and children alike eagerly compete to grab as many beans as possible, though small children need to be cautious in the crowd.
In addition to beans, some shrines also throw sweets and other treats for children. It’s a lively and fun event, so why not visit a nearby shrine to experience the Setsubun festivities?
Here are some shrines near the school where you can enjoy the celebration.



