Tokyo: Setsubun soybean scattering & Ehomaki hand roll sushi | GetYourGuide (2025)

Feel Japanese traditions and culture by eating snacks in a local shopping street and experiencing a soybean scattering ritual at Kogan-ji Temple. Located in the northern part of Tokyo, Sugamo is a local town famous for its Jizo-dori Shopping Street that stretches more than a kilometer and is always crowded with people of all ages, enjoying eating local snacks and shopping.

Take a break at cozy Japanese style sweets shop, savor famous "Darayaki" Japanese pancake! Specializing in Japanese sweets with a traditional handmade taste. Since its establishment in 1937, they have maintained a policy of not using any synthetic preservatives. This shop is loved by locals. Dorayaki are available with either red bean paste and premium butter or red bean paste and Danish cream cheese. The guide recommends red bean paste and Danish cream cheese with a little black pepper and rock salt.

You may be surprised to see a large Jizo Bosatsu statue enshrined in a temple at the entrance of a shopping street. This is one of 6 Edo Rokujizoson, a guardian deity for travelers built at six entrances and exits in Edo (former name of Tokyo) between 1708 and 1720. Let's pray for the safety of all travelers!

Behind this temple, there is another separate temple, where Fukuju Kannon and Fudo Myoo are enshrined. Kannon is a merciful Buddha who removes people's suffering and listens to their requests. Fudo Myoo is said to be “Shiva,” the Hindu deity of destruction and creation that originated in India, and is believed to bring blessings such as the banishment of troubles, personal safety, prosperous business, health, and academic achievement.

Visit the famous Kogan-ji Temple, which is crowded with elderly people who wish for longevity and good health. There is a stone statue of the Goddess of Mercy called “Kannon” in the temple grounds, and people believe that by washing their bad parts, they will become healthy.

Learn about the Setsubun ritual, which has the meaning of dividing the seasons. There are four Setsubun in a year: spring, summer, fall, and winter, but the most famous is Setsubun in February, which divides winter and spring.

Witness the Setsubun rituals held at Koganji temple. Toshiotoko, Toshionna, local celebrities scatter soybeans, mandarin oranges, rice cakes, sweets, etc. from the stage. (Toshiotoko, Toshionna: a man or woman who was born in a year with the same sign of the Chinese zodiac as the current year.)

At home, the father wears a demon mask and the children throw soybeans at him. People scatter soybeans while shouting “Oni wa soto wa soto, Fuku wa uchi” (Demons out, good fortune in).

It is also a custom to eat all the ehomaki rolls at once, facing the direction of the year in order to bring good luck. Not a single word may be spoken until the meal is finished. Ehomaki is a type of hand-rolled sushi with various ingredients such as tuna, salmon, beef, or salad.

Why don't you enjoy sprinkling soybeans and trying ehomaki hand-rolled sushi with us?