Sensoji Setsubun Bean Tossing

Setsubun marks the seasonal transition to spring and is celebrated annually in early February. At Sensoji in Asakusa, the festival is distinguished by its unique adaptation of the traditional mamemaki (bean-throwing) ritual. While practitioners across Japan typically chant “Oni wa soto” (Demons out), this phrase is omitted at Sensoji. Because the Goddess of Mercy (Kannon) is enshrined here, it is believed that demons cannot exist in her presence. Instead, the specific chant “Senshu Manzai Fuku wa Uchi” (Long life and good fortune, enter!) is used to invite prosperity.

The event also features a performance of the Shichifukujin-no-mai, or the Dance of the Seven Deities of Good Fortune, conducted for the benefit of well-wishers. For visitors, the main temple courtyard serves as the primary viewing area, which becomes exceptionally crowded during the afternoon bean-throwing sessions. Arriving at least 45 minutes early is recommended to secure a vantage point of the temple balcony. Additionally, many local shops in the surrounding district sell seasonal fuku-mame (fortune beans) and charms, providing a complete cultural experience of the day’s festivities.