Setsubun in Japan: Welcoming Spring, Family Memories, and Traditions Passed Down

Setsubun in Japan: Welcoming Spring, Family Memories, and Traditions Passed Down

 

Every year in early February, Japan celebrates Setsubun, a traditional event that marks the seasonal transition from winter to spring.

In 2026, Setsubun falls on February 3 (Tuesday).

Setsubun is celebrated on the day before Risshun (立春), the official beginning of spring in the traditional Japanese calendar.

The purpose of Setsubun is simple yet powerful:

to drive away bad luck and welcome good fortune into the home.

For me, Setsubun is not just a cultural event — it’s a tradition filled with childhood memories, family warmth, and moments I now recreate with my own children.

 

What Is Setsubun?

Setsubun (節分) literally means “seasonal division.”

Although it originally referred to the change between all seasons, today it is most commonly associated with the beginning of spring.

The main ritual of Setsubun is called mamemaki, or bean throwing.

Roasted soybeans are thrown while saying:

“Oni wa soto! Fuku wa uchi!”

(Demons out! Good fortune in!)

In Japanese culture, oni (demons) symbolize misfortune, illness, and negative energy.

By throwing beans, families symbolically cleanse their homes and invite happiness, health, and good luck for the year ahead.

 

My Childhood Setsubun Memories in Japan

When I was little, Setsubun was one of the most exciting days of the year.

I remember going with my grandfather and grandmother to a small neighborhood shrine. During the Setsubun ceremony, people would throw not only beans, but also wrapped candies and snacks into the crowd.

As a child, it felt magical — laughter everywhere, hands reaching up, and the joy of collecting as many treats as possible.

At home, we had our own special family ritual.

We would throw beans from a small corner window of the house, carefully tossing them in different directions to protect our home from bad luck.

After the bean throwing, we all sat together as a family and ate the same number of beans as our age, quietly wishing for health, happiness, and a good year ahead.

These moments were simple, but deeply comforting — memories that still stay with me today.

 

How I Celebrate Setsubun Now With My Children

Now that I’m an adult, Setsubun has become a tradition I cherish in a new way.

Every year, I celebrate Setsubun at home with my children.

We make oni (demon) masks together, using paper, crayons, and lots of creativity. One of us becomes the “oni,” and soon the house fills with laughter as beans fly and voices shout the familiar phrase.

It doesn’t need to be perfect or strictly traditional.

What matters most is sharing the joy, meaning, and warmth of Japanese culture — just as I experienced growing up in Japan.

 

 

 

Why Setsubun Still Matters Today

Setsubun carries a gentle but powerful message:

・It’s okay to let go of what no longer serves us

・It’s okay to start fresh

・Good fortune can be welcomed with intention

For families living outside Japan, Setsubun is also a beautiful way to stay connected to Japanese traditions, even through small rituals at home.

 

 

Bringing Japanese Traditions Into Everyday Life

At Sakura Ave Shop, I believe Japanese culture doesn’t have to feel distant or complicated.

It can live quietly in everyday moments — through seasonal traditions, handmade crafts, and time spent together as a family.

Setsubun is one of those traditions.

A reminder that culture is not just something we learn, but something we live and pass on.