Mamemaki: Japan's Bean-Throwing Tradition

Each year, shrines and temples throughout Japan prepare for spring with mamemaki as part of the Setsubun celebrations. This bean-throwing custom involving demons and lucky beans has been around for well over a thousand years. Discover the history behind this annual Japanese ritual.
As the cherry blossoms prepare to paint Japan in delicate hues, shrines and temples across the country brim with anticipation for Setsubun, a time-honored celebration that ushers in the spirit of spring. Central to this vibrant ritual is the ancient tradition of mamemaki, where demons are dispelled and lucky beans are thrown to invoke good fortune. With a legacy spanning over a thousand years, this intriguing custom has woven its way into the fabric of Japanese culture, enchanting locals and curious travelers alike. Join us as we journey into the heart of Setsubun, uncovering the captivating history behind this annual Japanese ritual that celebrates the transition from winter to spring in a symphony of auspicious symbolism and timeless charm.

Did you know – Culture Trip now does bookable, small-group trips? Pick from authentic, immersive Epic Trips, compact and action-packed Mini Trips and sparkling, expansive Sailing Trips.
While Japan no longer adheres to the lunar calendar, many of the celebrations associated with it were adopted from China during the Heian period and have stuck around ever since. Mamemaki is one such custom, believed to have its roots in Chinese folk religion. It took its modern form sometime during the Muromachi period.

Mamemaki is performed on the day before the first day of spring according to the lunar calendar – also known as Setsubun,or Risshun – every year. The period of time surrounding the Lunar New Year, including Setsubun, was thought to bring the spirit world closer to the physical one. Thus, practices like mamemaki became popular. Tossing the beans is symbolic of driving away any evil spirits who might have wandered too close to the physical realm.

Virtually every shrine and temple integrates some form of mamemaki into their Setsubun celebrations. The basic concept is to prepare the lucky beans (fuku mame) – roasted soybeans – and toss them, usually at someone wearing an oni (demon) mask. Sometimes the beans are just scattered into the crowd, and other times the ritual is more traditional, with volunteers in demon costumes getting pelted with fuku mame. The chant during the ceremony goes, “Oni wa soto! Fuku wa uchi! ” (“Demons get out! Good fortune come in!”).

It’s thought that eating the number of beans equal to one’s age will ensure luck, health and happiness for the following year. Many families, especially outside of the bigger cities, will host their own mamemaki at home, scattering beans around the house to ward off evil instead of – or in addition to – heading to a shrine. In 2017, the Setsubun festivities will fall on February 3.

Explore more of Japan’s traditions by going on a Japan Grand Tour with a rail trip.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.