How many days until Setsubun?

About Setsubun

Setsubun is a traditional Japanese observance held each year on February 3, marking the day before the beginning of spring according to the traditional Japanese calendar. Although it is not a national holiday, Setsubun is celebrated in homes, temples, shrines, schools, and communities throughout Japan. The event focuses on driving away misfortune and welcoming good fortune as the seasons change. While its origins date back more than a thousand years, Setsubun continues to be widely observed through customs that blend folklore, Shinto, and Buddhist influences. Unlike many traditional East Asian festivals that follow lunar calendars, modern Setsubun is observed on a fixed Gregorian date of February 3 in most years because it is tied to the seasonal marker known as Risshun, the beginning of spring. Very occasionally, astronomical adjustments to the calendar may cause the observance to fall on February 2 or February 4, but February 3 remains the standard date used for annual observance and countdowns. The best-known Setsubun tradition is mamemaki, the ritual of throwing roasted soybeans while chanting "Oni wa soto! Fuku wa uchi!" meaning "Demons out! Good fortune in!" Families often have one member wear an oni (demon) mask while others throw beans to symbolically chase away evil spirits. Many people also eat ehomaki, a large uncut sushi roll, while silently facing the year's lucky direction, a custom that has become increasingly popular across Japan in recent decades. Temples and shrines frequently host public bean-throwing ceremonies attended by thousands of visitors. A common misconception is that Setsubun celebrates the Japanese New Year. In reality, it marks the seasonal transition into spring rather than the start of the calendar year. The observance emphasizes purification, good fortune, and a fresh beginning as winter comes to an end.

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