Shimokitazawa Tengu Festival 2025

The highlights of the festival include an enormous tengu mask parading the streets, food stalls, and a soybean stamp rally.

What happens?

Every year during Japan’s Setsubun Festival (the day before spring in the old Japanese calendar), many demon-like characters called tengu prowl the streets of Shimokitazawa. Residents scatter roasted soybeans around these creatures and chant “Fuku wa uchi!” (“Fortune in!”) three times.

Why you shouldn’t say “Oni wa soto!”

Traditionally in Japan, before “Fuku wa uchi!” you are meant to say “Oni wa soto!” (“Demons out!”) but that is prohibited to wish upon the demons of Shimokitazawa. It comes from the idea that the tengu will naturally disappear after hearing wishes of good fortune, plus they are seen as bringers of luck themselves.

Schedule 2024

• February 2: A crow-like tengu will appear on the streets of Shimokitazawa from around 8 p.m.
• February 3: From 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., a tengu and the crow-like demon will parade the streets, trailed by the famous giant tengu head. They will do two rounds of the shopping street on the east side of the station.