Fukushima Travel – Setsubun Festival at Isasumi Shrine

February 3 marks Setsubun, a traditional Japanese event that celebrates the turning of the seasons and prays for good health and happiness in the year ahead.

In Aizumisato Town, Fukushima Prefecture, the annual Setsubun Festival was held at the historic Isasumi Shrine, welcoming visitors with sacred rituals and joyful festivities where “good fortune descends from the heavens.”

A Lively Fukumame Bean-Throwing Ceremony

One of the highlights of the Setsubun Festival at Isasumi Shrine is the Fukumame-maki (lucky bean throwing ceremony). This year, special guest “annual role holders” were invited, adding extra excitement to the event.

Together, they threw lucky beans to the crowd, spreading wishes for happiness, prosperity, and protection from misfortune.

Inside some of the lucky beans were lottery tickets, and those who found them won special gifts donated by local companies and organizations—making the experience even more memorable for participants.

Ancient Rituals to Drive Away Evil Spirits

Before the bean-throwing ceremony, a series of traditional Shinto rituals were performed. A striking figure known as the Hōsōshi, wearing a golden four-eyed mask, appeared to symbolically drive away invisible evil spirits and disease in an ancient rite called Tsuina.

Other ceremonial highlights included:

• A ritual performance by the Hōrai demon, offering symbolic blessings

• The Hōsha-no-gi, a sacred archery ritual performed by the shrine’s head priest

These solemn rites reflect centuries-old beliefs in purification and protection, deeply rooted in Japanese spiritual culture.

Welcoming Good Fortune in Fukushima

The Setsubun Festival at Isasumi Shrine is a powerful blend of tradition, spirituality, and community celebration. It offers visitors a rare opportunity to experience authentic Japanese seasonal customs in a local setting, far from the crowds of major cities.

If you are traveling through Fukushima in winter, witnessing a Setsubun Festival at a historic shrine like Isasumi Jinja is a meaningful way to understand Japan’s cultural heritage—and perhaps even catch a bit of good luck for the year ahead.

https://isasumi.or.jp/event.html