Zensuiji Temple Setsubun-e Star Festival

About this event

The annual Setsubun-e Hoshimatsuri (Star Festival) will be held at the National Treasure Zensuiji Temple. Held on the day before Risshun (the start of spring), the event begins with a Goma fire ritual praying for the warding off of evil and the fulfillment of various wishes. Afterwards, a bean-throwing ceremony (Mame-maki) takes place, during which the Sandoku Demons (Red Demon, Blue Demon, and Yellow Demon) appear for the evil-dispelling bean-tossing along with a sermon by the head priest. Seeing the reformed demons tossing beans alongside the head priest is one of the highlights of this event. On the day of the event, admission to the mountain is granted via a Gomagi prayer offering rather than the standard admission fee. Zensuiji is a historic temple located in Konan City, Shiga Prefecture, and its Setsubun-e held within a serene atmosphere lets visitors experience fine old Japanese traditions.

Venue

Zensuiji Temple

3518 Iwane, Konan, Shiga 520-3252