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Setsubun marks the day before spring with various traditions meant to drive away evil spirits/bad luck and cleanse the home and family for the coming year. Shrines and temples around Japan hold special festivals for the public to come together and participate as a community, and several of these festivals are quite famous. One place you can go to take part in Setsubun is Iwashimizu Hachimangū on Mt. Otokoyama in Yawata City just south of Kyoto. Though Setsubun festivals are commonly held on February 3rd no matter what day of the week the date falls on, Iwashimizu Hachimangū holds their Oni Yarai Shinji (Ogre Banishing Ritual) on the Sunday before in order to allow people of all ages to attend more easily. Held twice on the day at 1pm and then again at 2pm, the Oni Yarai Shinji consists of three main parts: Shinto purification rituals, an “attack“ on the shrine by oni (ogres), and the distribution of fukumame (“lucky beans“). A procession of shrine priests, priestesses, and related guests make their way to
