Setsubun Spring Festivals

Image © Kyoto City Tourism Association

The arrival of spring is always worth a celebration, especially in Japan where the beginning of the warmer temperatures comes with a dose of exciting ‘Setsubun’ spring festivals celebrated across the country on 3rd February every year.

Marking a new beginning, it’s the time the Japanese get rid of the old and invite in the new.

Traditionally, locals throw roasted beans out the door of their houses in an effort to ward off the evil. Setsubun Ceremonies will take place at a variety of temples across Kyoto inviting visitors to participate in a range of exciting festivities such as fire festivals, a prayer burning festival, archery rituals and much more.

Some of our favourite Setsubun Festivals include:

Setsubun Ceremony at Mibu Temple 
Several Buddhist ceremonies will be held during the ceremony. The Mibu Kyogen performance will be performed eight times a day on the 2nd and 3rd, beginning at 1:00 p.m. (free of charge).
Date & Time: February 2 (Sat) – 4 (Mon), 2019
Venue: Mibu Temple

Setsubun Ceremony at Yoshida Shrine

The Tsuina Ceremony is an ancient ceremony practiced in the imperial capital during the Heian Period, and it will begin on the 2nd at 6 p.m. The Ekijin Festival will be held on the same day. At 11 p.m. on the night of the 3rd, a Shinto fire festival and prayer burning festival will be held, in which a sacred bonfire, five meters in diameter by five meters in height, will be lit.
*The 4th will be a day of rituals only, and food stalls will not be open.
Date & Time: February 2 (Sat) – 4 (Mon), 2019
Venue: Yoshida Shrine

Setsubun Ceremony at Matsuo Taisha Shrine
Traditional music and dance performances will be held at the front shrine (beginning at 10:00 a.m.), and the setsubun ceremony will be held in the afternoon (beginning at 1:30 p.m.), along with archery rituals, and a ritual scattering of beans to ward off evil.

Date & Time: February 3 (Sun), 2019
Venue: Matsuo Taisha Shrine

Itinerary planning and other information: We are happy to assist in planning your itinerary in Kyoto, please contact our Sydney office on 02 8206 9312 or email alison@tourismgarden.com.au

General Access Information
Tips for Travellers
Accommodations explained and listings

For more detailed information about getting around in Kyoto on foot, by bicycle, bus train or taxi please contact us.

Meetings & Incentives
Have you considered planning an incentive trip in the cultural heart of Japan?

Kyoto offers endless opportunities to gain meaningful hands-on experience of rich Kyoto culture through Tea Ceremony, sake brewing, kimono wearing, swordsmanship, and more. With unique and traditional function venues and superb accommodation options Kyoto is an ideal choice for a high end incentive trip.

Japan is renowned for its safety and the compactness of Kyoto makes for wonderful strolling during free time. From the moment your guests arrive they will be treated to the famous omotenashi (hospitality) and refined service of Kyoto.

The Kyoto Convention Bureau is here to help. Please contact our local office or visit our website.

Visit website

Kyoto is an ICCA Member and we are proud to announce Kyoto as the first Asian city to join the Global Destination Sustainability Index.

Tourism Garden
Our mailing address is:
Tourism Garden Pty Ltd.
Suite 13, 235 Spit Road, Mosman NSW 2088