Osaka Naritasan Fudoson "Setsubun Festival"

This vibrant spring Setsubun festival takes place annually at Naritasan Fudoson Temple in Neyagawa City, Osaka Prefecture. Featuring prominent guests from Kansai’s political, economic, and entertainment worlds, it’s widely regarded as the region's most exciting Setsubun event.

Catch a glimpse of heralded ancient rituals, including the festival bean-throwing ceremony (mamemaki) inherited through generations at Naritasan Temple in prayer for good fortune, protection from misfortune, and traffic safety. At the heart of the temple grounds stands Japan's largest wooden "Sensho Daifukumasu" container, measuring prominently on a 150-meter-long specially constructed stage. Guests and those born in the current zodiac year toss fortune beans (fukumame) from this container to the crowds below. Uniquely, due to the compassionate teachings of the temple's principal deity, Fudo Myo-o, who is believed capable of reforming even demons, the traditional call of "Oni wa soto!" ("Demons out!") is omitted here—participants chant only "Fuku wa uchi!" ("Good fortune in!").

The event offers two types of ceremonies for public participation (advance reservation and fees required): the formal Tsuina Mamemaki-shiki, which involves joining a special prayer session (Gomaku Hoyo) inside the main hall before participating in bean throwing, and the more casual Shofuku Mamemaki-shiki, which consists solely of the bean-throwing activity. Each year, countless participants join in the festivities, eager to bring good fortune into their lives.