(February 2 and 3)On the 3rd, the demons who are driven off, mend their ways and join the bean-throwing ceremony. It is an extraordinary Setsubun celebration.

As we throw dried soy beans, we say “Fuku wa uchi! Oni mo uchi! (Fortune in! Demons in!)” There is a “simmered konjac” specialty shaped like tongueAt the 3rd night, you can enjoy the comical Kyogen with lines (so you can follow along) for free.

(February 3)The festival truly depicts the Setsubun events that took place in Heian era. The demons go crazy inside of the large precinct of Heian Jingu!!

(February 2 and 3)It's an event to dress up differently and run along with demons of Setsubun.At night, you can encounter transformed Geiko and Maiko with various costumes ♪

Every year our family gets “Setsubun Uzushio sushi rolls” fromTakashimaya Kyoto Department store. There are 12 kinds of ingredients inside of this supersize roll! Please expect a long line! Reservations recommended. View the flyer here: Takashimaya Flyer

(February 3) Japanese traditional performing arts “Iwami-Kagura” dedication is breathtaking! It's based on an Izumo myth where the main character, Susanoo-no-Mikoto defeats a serpent monster, Yamata-no-Orochi.

(February 2 and 3)In Yasaka Shrine, after Geiko and Maiko dedicate traditional Japanese dance, they will throw beans. People fight over to get them!

(February 2 and 3)This festival is popular with its dance performance by demons with pot bellies!It is said the demons can get rid of bad luck by touching a part of your body where has problem. Also it is said if the demons hold kids in their arms, they will grow healthy.

(February 2,3, and 4)On the 2nd, there will be “Ekijinsai” which is an event to ward off bad luck, “Yaku” and “Tsuinashiki” for demon exorcism.At midnight of the 3rd, you can see a huge bonfire to purify old ofuda amulets with fire!

The demons join in the bean-throwing ceremony!?

The demons are actually quite nice?

Emma (the King of Hell) likes konjac because it does not have two faces.

Limited on February 2 and 3.

Our kids visited there in costume, and we got the lucky beans ♪

I am a Maiko~ (in Kyoto dialect)

There are so many performance!

The chief priests of the shrine are the exorcist!

There are various unique Setsubun festivals everywhere in Kyoto! I would say you can find the most numerous events in a single year!

Tsuinashiki means a ceremony to get rid of demons, and it is also called “Oniyarai”

The costumes areso gorgeous!

I want to get the lucky beans thrown by Geiko and Maiko ♡

Onmyoji, a Japanese exorcist, will ward off demons!

There are so many food stands!

One of the highlights is seeing firefighters adjusting the power of fire by shooting it!