🎎 Osaka Naritasan Fudoson "Setsubun Festival"

The Naritasan Fudoson in Neyagawa City, Osaka Prefecture, holds a grand Setsubun Festival every year. The bean-throwing event sees participation from many political and economic figures as well as entertainers, making it the most lively and grand Setsubun event in the Kansai region. The bean-throwing activity follows the traditional rituals passed down from Naritasan, praying for good fortune, the removal of bad luck, and traffic safety. Inside the grounds, there is a 150-meter-long stage, and at the center is the "Sen-shaku Daifuku Masu," claimed to be the largest in Japan. The "nen-dan" (a man born in the same zodiac year) and invited guests throw the fortune beans from the masu to the attendees. Since the principal deity, Fudo Myo-o, is compassionate, even evil spirits can be transformed, so instead of shouting "Oni wa soto" (Demons out), they chant "Fuku wa uchi" (Fortune in). There are two types of bean-throwing activities: one is the "Demon-Exorcising Bean-Throwing Ceremony," which takes place after participating in the Homa ritual and prayers for good fortune and the removal of bad luck in the main hall, followed by the bean-throwing on the special stage. The other is the "Fortune-Bringing Bean-Throwing Ceremony," which is solely for the bean-throwing activity. Both events are open to the general public (reservation and payment required). Each year, they attract large crowds seeking blessings for a year of good fortune.

The Setsubun Festival held at Osaka Naritasan Fudoson features a bean-throwing ceremony for good fortune and traffic safety on a stage set up in the grounds. The bean-throwing event includes participation from political and business figures as well as entertainers. Naritasan does not shout "Oni wa soto" (Demons out), but instead shouts "Fuku wa uchi" (Fortune in). The festival location, Osaka Naritasan Fudoson, is an annex of Naritasan Shinshoji Temple.