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Setsubun Mamemaki (Bean Throwing) at Sensoji Temple - Tokyo Hotels .com

Sensoji Temple, Tokyo

Looking forward to the end of winter? Celebrate the coming of spring during the Setsubun ceremony on February 3. This special ceremony is also designed to ward off oni, or evil spirits, by the traditional Buddhist exorcism method: throwing beans and shouting "Oni wa soto! Fuku wa uchi!" which means "Devils out! Good luck in!"

The most popular site for this festival is Sensoji Temple in Ueno-Asakusa-Ryogoku. Crowds of would-be exorcists come to the temple to try to catch bags of beans thrown to the crowds by celebrities, as well as for other festivities.

Sensoji Temple is a few steps from Asakusa Station and is reachable via the Ginza Subway Line, Asakusa Subway Line, and Tobu Railways.