Kitano Tenmangu’s Setsubun Festival, with kyogen, dance, and bean throwing following prayers to ward off misfortune
Kitano Tenmangu Setsubun Festival
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Season / frequency
- February 3
- Location
- Kitano Tenmangu Shrine
- Area
- Kyoto Prefecture・Kamigyo Ward, Kyoto City(From Tokyo: approx. 2 h 10 min–2 h 40 min · bullet train)Prefecture-level estimate to a main station or airport, not the venue. Airport access, check-in and onward travel are extra; remote areas and islands can take much longer.
- Wishes behind the festival
- Last updated
- 2026/10/19
The Kitano Tenmangu Setsubun Festival is a Setsubun event centered on the tsuina ritual, which wards off calamities and illness for the coming year. Following the ceremony at the , , Japanese dance, and bean throwing take place.
About Kitano Tenmangu Setsubun Festival
The Kitano Tenmangu Setsubun Festival is a Setsubun festival held at Kitano Tenmangu Shrine.
A tsuina ritual is performed with prayers to ward off calamities and illness for the coming year.
After the Setsubun Festival is held at the honden, the program continues with kyogen, Japanese dance, and bean throwing.
Source: 北野天満宮節分祭 | イベント一覧 | 京都府観光連盟公式サイト
Festival highlights
Highlights include the Setsubun Festival held at the honden from 10 a.m. and the performances that follow in the afternoon.
Kyogen performed by the Shigeyama Senshōgumi begins at 13:00, followed by Japanese dance presented by the Kamishichiken Kabukai.
The program brings together traditional performing arts and Setsubun festivities, ending with bean throwing.
Kitano Tenmangu’s Setsubun Festival, with kyogen, dance, and bean throwing following prayers to ward off misfortune
What to expect
The event begins with the Setsubun Festival at the honden, followed in the afternoon by kyogen, Japanese dance, and bean throwing.
The Setsubun Festival is listed as starting at 10 a.m., and kyogen performed by the Shigeyama Senshōgumi as starting at 13:00.
Japanese dance by the Kamishichiken Kabukai follows the kyogen, and bean throwing takes place at the end.
Location and access
- Venue and address
Kitano Tenmangu Shrine / Bakurocho, Kamigyo Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture
- Train and bus
Get off at the city bus stop “Kitano Tenmangu-mae”
Address Bakurocho, Kamigyo Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture 602-8386
Dates and season
February 3
From 10 a.m.: Setsubun Festival at the honden
From 13:00: Kyogen performed by the Shigeyama Senshōgumi
Afterward: Japanese dance by the Kamishichiken Kabukai, followed by bean throwing
Accommodation and hotels PR
Showing nearby accommodation.
Prices and availability are current at the time of retrieval. For multi-night stays, only the first night’s price is shown. Confirm the final price and directions to the venue with the booking provider. Select your dates again when using the area search link. Search area: within 3 km of Central Kyoto Prefecture / Kamigyo Ward, Kyoto City (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Tips for your visit
Event details may change depending on social conditions.
Nearby attractions
Around Kitano Tenmangu Shrine are the Taishogun Hachijinja Hotokuden and Kamishichiken.
Both are listed as nearby spots located 0.2 km in a straight line from the festival venue.
京都タワー
京都府京都市下京区にある塔
京都国立博物館
京都市にある国立博物館
京都国立近代美術館
京都市左京区岡崎にある美術館
京都国際マンガミュージアム
日本の京都府京都市中京区にある日本最大の漫画博物館
京都市美術館
京都市左京区岡崎にある美術館
京都府立植物園
京都市左京区にある植物園
京都鉄道博物館
京都府京都市下京区にある鉄道博物館
Fushimi Inari Taisha
京都市伏見区にある神社
元離宮二条城
京都市にある城郭及び元皇室関連施設
Yasaka Shrine
京都市東山区にある神社
円山公園
京都市にある公園
Kitano Tenmangu Shrine
京都市上京区にある神社
Origins and History of Kitano Tenmangu Setsubun Festival
At the Kitano Tenmangu Setsubun Festival, a tsuina ritual is performed with prayers to ward off calamities and illness for the coming year.
The program includes kyogen, Japanese dance, and bean throwing in addition to the Setsubun Festival at the honden.
The festival’s founding year and historical changes are not specified.
Official information
北野天満宮公式サイト：Kitano Tenmangu Official Website
Kitano Tenmangu Setsubun Festival at a Glance
The Kitano Tenmangu Setsubun Festival is a tsuina ritual held with prayers to ward off calamities and illness.
The Setsubun Festival is held at the honden from 10 a.m. The afternoon program continues with kyogen from 13:00, Japanese dance by the Kamishichiken Kabukai, and bean throwing.
The venue is Kitano Tenmangu Shrine, accessible from the city bus stop “Kitano Tenmangu-mae.”
Japanese Festivals.jp Editorial Team
Celebrating local culture and helping you discover a side of Japan you never knew.
Article updated: 2026/10/19
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