A distinctive Shogoin Setsubun observance that guides demons to reform instead of driving them away
Shogoin Setsubun-e
The 2026 edition of Shogoin Setsubun-e has ended.
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Dates
- 2026/02/02 〜 2026/02/03Ended
- Season / frequency
- Around Setsubun (February 2 and the 3rd)
- Location
- Shogoin
- Area
- Kyoto Prefecture・Sakyo Ward, Kyoto(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
- Participation / viewing
- Spectators welcome
- Last updated
- 2026/10/20
At Shogoin Setsubun-e, yamabushi use their spiritual powers to subdue demons, and the reformed demons also join in throwing lucky beans. It is an observance that prays for protection from misfortune and good fortune through Shugendo practices, including the Tsuina ceremony and the Saito Dai Goma fire ritual.
About Shogoin Setsubun-e
The Setsubun-e at Shogoin Monzeki is a Setsubun observance in which yamabushi of Shugendo perform the Tsuina ceremony and the Saito Dai Goma fire ritual.
The yamabushi subdue the demons with their spiritual powers and by throwing beans, but in the end the demons are not driven away: they reform and become lucky demons who bring good fortune.
The idea of welcoming good fortune together with the demons reflects what makes Shogoin’s Setsubun distinctive.
Source: 節分会 | 聖護院門跡
Festival highlights
The main highlight is the Tsuina ceremony, featuring red, blue, and yellow demons.
The yamabushi throw beans at the demons and chant sacred mantras to subdue them; the demons then reform and join in throwing lucky beans.
In the Saito Dai Goma fire ritual that follows, goma sticks are burned as yamabushi chant sutras. Visitors can also see preliminary rites unique to Shugendo and other venerable traditional practices.
Source: 聖護院節分会 | イベント一覧 | 京都府観光連盟公式サイト
A distinctive Shogoin Setsubun observance that guides demons to reform instead of driving them away
What to expect
According to the 2026 event information, on February 2 the gates open at 9 a.m., the Jogen Goma prayer ritual runs from 10 a.m. throughout the day, and the gates close around 7 p.m.
On February 3, amazake is served from 10 a.m., the Tsuina ceremony and bean throwing begin at 1 p.m., the Saito Dai Goma fire ritual begins at 3 p.m., and old talismans are burned from 6 p.m.; the gates close around 7 p.m.
Old talismans accepted for the bonfire include ofuda, omamori, decorations, hamaya arrows, and similar items.
How to take part
Applications for prayer talismans for protection from misfortune, good fortune, long life, and happiness during the Saito Dai Goma fire ritual are accepted until January 25.
Good-fortune beans and Darani beans are available at the授与所.
Old talismans are accepted until the bonfire for old talismans begins on February 2 and the 3rd. Items accepted include ofuda, omamori, shimenawa decorations, hamaya arrows, and similar items.
Location and access
- Venue and address
Shogoin / 15 Shogoin Nakamachi, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto, Kyoto 606-8324
- Train and bus
Take a city bus to Kumano -mae and walk about 5 minutes / From Exit 5 of Jingu-Marutamachi Station on the Keihan line, walk about 10 minutes / From bus stop D2 in front of Kyoto Station, take city bus route 206 to Kumano Jinja-mae and walk about 5 minutes / From bus stop E at Shijo-Kawaramachi, take city bus route 201 or 203 to Kumano Jinja-mae and walk about 5 minutes
- By car
No parking on the during Setsubun-e; use nearby paid parking lots
Address 15 Shogoin Nakamachi, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto, Kyoto
Dates and season
2026 event information (the listed dates have passed)
February 2, 2026 (Monday)–the 3rd (Tuesday).
The Jogen Goma prayer ritual was listed for February 2; for February 3, the program listed amazake from 10 a.m., the Tsuina ceremony from 1 p.m., the Saito Dai Goma fire ritual from 3 p.m., and the burning of old talismans from 6 p.m.
Amazake on February 3 is served until it runs out.
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 / Sakyo Ward, Kyoto (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Tips for your visit
Sweet amazake is served only on February 3 and is available until it runs out.
Items accepted for the burning of old talismans include ofuda, omamori, shimenawa decorations, hamaya arrows, and similar items; food, fresh flowers, and keepsakes are not accepted.
Parking is not available on the temple grounds during Setsubun-e, so visitors arriving by car should use nearby paid parking lots.
Nearby attractions
Around the venue are Shogoin Yatsuhashi Sohonten, Kyoto City Budo Center, Heian Shrine, Hosomi Museum, and other places.
According to the Kyoto Prefecture Tourism Federation, Shogoin Yatsuhashi Sohonten is 0.2 km in a straight line from Shogoin, Heian Shrine is 0.4 km away, and Hosomi Museum is 0.6 km away.
All are listed as facilities located near 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 Shogoin Setsubun-e
According to Shugendo, the religious tradition practiced at Shogoin, its founder En no Gyoja is said to have taken a demon couple, Zenki and Goki, as disciples.
Even after En no Gyoja subdued them and they reformed, they are said to have continued helping Shugendo practitioners for generations.
Against this backdrop, Shogoin’s Setsubun tradition does not drive the demons away; instead, it welcomes good fortune together with the reformed demons.
Official information
Shogoin Monzeki official website, “Setsubun-e”
Shogoin Setsubun-e at a Glance
Shogoin Setsubun-e is a distinctive Setsubun observance in which yamabushi subdue demons, and even the reformed demons bestow good fortune.
In addition to bean throwing during the Tsuina ceremony, the program includes events rooted in Shugendo, such as the Saito Dai Goma fire ritual and the burning of old talismans.
The venue is Shogoin; it is about a 5-minute walk from the nearest stop, Kumano Jinja-mae, and about a 10-minute walk from Jingu-Marutamachi Station.
Japanese Festivals.jp Editorial Team
Celebrating local culture and helping you discover a side of Japan you never knew.
Article updated: 2026/10/20
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