Tokyo Tower will welcome the start of spring with a special Setsubun ceremony and bean-throwing event in early February, held on the second floor of its 150-meter-high Main Deck. This annual event has been running since the tower first opened and gives visitors a chance to take part in a traditional seasonal ritual at one of Tokyo's most recognizable landmarks.
Setsubun is a Japanese festival that marks the change from winter to spring. It is traditionally celebrated by throwing roasted soybeans while calling out phrases meant to chase away bad luck and invite good fortune for the coming year. The custom is rooted in the idea of symbolically driving out misfortune and starting the new season with a clean slate.
At Tokyo Tower's event, the chief priest from nearby Zojoji Temple will begin with a purification ritual to ward off bad luck. This will be followed by a bean-throwing ceremony, with lucky beans tossed by the priest and Tokyo Tower staff members born in auspicious zodiac years. Visitors are welcome to watch from close range, and participation is optional.
The ceremony is scheduled to run from around 10:45 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on the north side of the Main Deck's second floor. There is no additional charge to join, aside from the standard observation deck admission fee.
For anyone in Tokyo in early February, it's a simple and memorable way to experience a traditional seasonal event with a unique view.
