Overview
Setsubun at Tokyo Solamachi is a vibrant, family-friendly celebration of Japan’s traditional bean-throwing festival, held within the massive commercial and entertainment hub at the base of the iconic TOKYO SKYTREE. While Setsubun is historically observed at ancient temples and shrines to mark the day before the beginning of spring, this event masterfully adapts the ancient custom into a lively, modern metropolitan experience. Organized within one of Tokyo’s premier shopping destinations, it blends seasonal folklore with contemporary city life, drawing local families, shoppers, and international tourists alike.
The absolute highlight of the celebration is the dynamic Mamemaki bean-scattering ceremony, which is designed to symbolically drive away evil spirits, bad luck, and disease while welcoming health and prosperity for the new year. Instead of a solemn religious setting, the event features energetic, theatrical performances where character actors dressed as colorful oni demons or ogres interact with the crowd. Children and adults gather around the designated plaza areas to toss roasted soybeans while enthusiastically chanting the traditional phrase to banish demons and welcome fortune.
Beyond the high-energy bean throwing, Tokyo Solamachi fully embraces the seasonal holiday across its entire complex. The commercial center features special culinary rollouts, most notably the Eho-maki lucky direction sushi rolls, which are prepared by top-tier food vendors and meant to be eaten whole in silence while facing the year’s designated auspicious direction. Combining accessible public entertainment, cultural education, and fantastic seasonal shopping opportunities, this urban festival provides an engaging and lighthearted way to experience an essential Japanese tradition in a world-famous modern landmark.
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Event Highlights
- Energetic Mamemaki Ceremonies: Interactive public bean-throwing sessions where participants toss roasted soybeans at costumed characters to banish bad luck and invite good fortune.
- Special Character Appearances: Lively photo opportunities and playful performances featuring regional mascots, traditional characters, and theatrical performers.
- Gourmet Eho-maki Fair: An extensive culinary showcase across Solamachi’s food markets featuring a vast variety of specialty, high-end, and creative lucky sushi rolls.
- Seasonal Workshop Spaces: Dedicated family craft corners where children can create their own custom demon masks and bean-holding boxes out of paper.
Why Attend
Setsubun at Tokyo Solamachi offers a wonderfully accessible, comfortable, and highly entertaining alternative to the massive, hyper-congested crowds found at Tokyo’s major historic temples on this holiday. It provides a perfect entry point for international travelers and families with young children who wish to participate firsthand in Mamemaki traditions without navigating complex shrine etiquette. Because the event is embedded directly within a premier commercial hub, visitors can easily enjoy the festival atmosphere without worrying about harsh winter weather elements.
This event is ideal for families with toddlers, contemporary cultural explorers, food lovers eager to sample authentic holiday delicacies, and travelers already planning a visit to TOKYO SKYTREE. It benefits attendees by providing a highly efficient itinerary where vibrant cultural participation is effortlessly paired with world-class shopping, dining, and observation deck sightseeing. The cheerful, welcoming, and secular approach to the holiday ensures that everyone can comfortably join the fun and catch their own packet of lucky beans.
Date & Duration
- Event Date: Late January to early February 2027
- Event Duration: A multi-day seasonal campaign with scheduled performance blocks lasting roughly twenty to thirty minutes each
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Ticket Information
- How Tickets Are Sold: No tickets or advanced reservations are required as the main ceremonies take place in open public plaza areas
- Admission Type: Free Admission
- Ticket Pricing: Full price range is 0 USD to 0 USD for general access to the public performance zones and mask-making areas
- Special Seating Options: None available as the event plazas operate strictly on a standing, first-come, first-served viewing basis
- VIP Options: None offered for this open public community and commercial celebration
Venue / Location
- City and Country: Tokyo, Japan
- Venue Name: Tokyo Solamachi
- Google Maps Address: 1 Chome-1-2 Oshiage, Sumida City, Tokyo 131-0045, Japan
Contact Information
- Email: contact@tokyo-solamachi.jp
- Phone Number: +81-570-55-0102
- Official Website: https://en.www.tokyo-solamachi.jp
Getting There
- Nearest Airport: Tokyo Haneda Airport located approximately 12 miles south of the Sumida district
- Nearest Train/Metro Station: Tokyo Skytree Station or Oshiage Station
- Bus Routes or Public Transport Options: The Tobu Bus Skytree Shuttle network operating direct routes from major hubs like Tokyo Station and Ueno Station directly to the complex terminal
- Parking Availability: Extensive parking garages located directly within Tokyo Skytree Town with standard parking validation available based on retail and dining expenditures
- Directions by Car: Accessible via the Shuto Expressway Route 6 Mukojima Line by exiting at the Komagata Interchange or Mukojima Interchange and following the signs toward TOKYO SKYTREE
What is this event?
Setsubun at Tokyo Solamachi is a modern, highly engaging lifestyle and cultural event that celebrates the traditional Japanese eve of spring. It shifts the historic bean-throwing ritual from standard religious grounds into a vibrant, accessible shopping mall environment.
The festival features scheduled interactive performances where the public throws roasted soybeans at theatrical demons to secure good health for the year. It serves as a major winter attraction for the commercial district, combining folk history with seasonal retail and culinary fairs.
Why is it popular?
The event is popular because it strips away the intimidating crowds and strict barriers of older temple rites, replacing them with a highly interactive, safe, and festive environment optimized for families. The chance to see children gleefully throwing beans at high-quality, friendly costumed performers creates wonderful memories and fantastic photos.
Additionally, its strategic location directly beneath TOKYO SKYTREE makes it incredibly convenient for tourists to integrate a unique seasonal custom into a standard sightseeing day. The massive selection of limited-edition lucky sushi rolls available at the indoor food halls draws thousands of culinary enthusiasts looking to taste the ultimate lucky holiday meal.
Tips before you go
- Arrive at the designated plaza at least twenty minutes before the posted schedule to secure a front-row spot so your children can easily see the performers.
- Check the official Solamachi event calendar online on the morning of your visit to confirm exact performance times, as outdoor schedules can shift depending on weather.
- Head down to the Food Marche department on the second floor early in the afternoon if you want to buy premium sushi rolls, as the most popular flavors sell out rapidly.
- Bring a small tote bag or plastic pouch to easily collect and carry any individually wrapped packets of lucky beans thrown during the show.
- Look up the year’s lucky zodiac direction on your smartphone before buying your sushi roll, so you know exactly which way to face while eating it in silence.
Attendee Experiences
- My kids had an absolute blast throwing beans at the funny demons, and it was so much less stressful than trying to squeeze into a crowded shrine.
- The food halls were incredible; we bought a beautiful seafood sushi roll and sat outside to eat it while looking up at the Skytree.
- It was a really fun, modern way to experience a classic Japanese custom right after finishing our shopping trip.
Location
FAQ
Do we need to bring our own soybeans to participate in the bean-throwing?
No, you do not need to bring your own beans to the event. The festival organizers and staff distribute small packets of roasted soybeans to the children and audience members gathered in the active performance areas right before the characters enter the stage.
Is the event canceled if it rains or snows during early February?
If the weather brings heavy rain or snow, the outdoor plaza performances are typically relocated to one of the spacious indoor promotional halls or covered event spaces within the Tokyo Solamachi complex. Announcements regarding venue changes are posted on the electronic guidance boards around the mall.
Can adults participate in the bean-throwing, or is it strictly for children?
While the front rows and interactive zones are highly optimized to give young children a clear and safe experience, adults are absolutely welcome to stand in the surrounding viewing areas, cheer along, and participate in tossing beans at the costumed characters.
Are the lucky sushi rolls available with vegetarian or gluten-free options?
The vast majority of traditional rolls contain soy sauce, marinated vegetables, cooked egg, or seafood. However, because Solamachi hosts dozens of diverse food vendors, a few specialty stalls offer custom vegetable-only rolls, though visitors with strict sensitivities should check individual ingredient cards carefully.
How long does each individual bean-throwing performance block last?
The active theatrical performance and subsequent bean-throwing segment move very quickly, usually lasting around fifteen to twenty minutes per session. Because the action is highly concentrated, being in position before the scheduled start time is essential to catching the experience.
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