節分祭
Taga-Taisha Shrine, Shiga
Feb 3

February 3 is known as Setsubun in Japan, meaning ‘the day before the beginning of spring’ and is the Lunar New Year’s Eve. On this day, bean-throwing ceremonies take place at temples and shrines across Japan to scare away all the evil spirits and bring good fortune for the year to come. Witness hundreds of 60 year olds throwing beans from the platform of the historic Shinto shrine, Taga-taisha. Join the crowds scrambling to catch the beans. Do not miss the kagura performance where menacing monsters dance before the ceremony.

Time: 10:30am & 1:30pm • Admission: Free • Access: Omi Line, Tagataisha-mae Stn, 10-min walk • tagataisya.or.jp