Tuesday, February 3rd, is a perfect day for Setsubun.
Bean-throwing took place at Hase-dera Temple starting at 12:00.
Guests included the familiar Takasago Oyakata, weathercaster Masamitsu Morita, and former tennis player Ai Sugiyama.

Actor Ken Ishiguro and many others

I arrived at the temple grounds a little early, at 11:30!
However, entry was already restricted, and I couldn't get into the area where people were picking up beans, so I watched from the sidelines.

When the beans were scattered all at once, some people grabbed them with their hands, while others opened up paper bags

If someone bends down to pick up a fallen bean, a whistle blows to prevent an accident, and the procession stops temporarily.
This happens repeatedly, making for a truly impressive spectacle.

Among these many lucky beans, there are some with fantastic prizes, and the grand prize is a 32-inch LCD TV!

Other prizes include second prize, third prize, and special prize

Someone received a lucky bean, so I took a look. It's the first time I've seen this kind of lucky bean

They looked very happy

Later in Kamakura, Setsubun festivals will be held at Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine from 13:00 and at Kamakura-gu Shrine from 15:00

You can also go on a tour of Setsubun festivals. May you receive lots of good fortune!

 

The other day in Sakashita, I saw a poster for the Setsubun Festival at Goryo Shrine

January 31st (Sunday) Setsubun?

Since last year, at Goryo Shrine, sixth-grade elementary school students have been taking part in a new stage of their lives

We are holding a Setsubun festival to ward off disaster and invite good fortune

It sounds like you can hear the lively voices of children coming from here

How about we go to the Setsubun Festival at Goryo Shrine next year?

 

Nao