Honjoji Oni Odori (Demon Dance)

About

At Setsubun, Honjoji in Sanjo, head temple of the Hokke sect, holds a bean-throwing rite with a dramatic twist. Into the hushed main hall burst red, blue, yellow, green and black demons, shrieking and swinging iron clubs, axes and saws, metal tools that suit Sanjo's identity as a manufacturing town. Each demon stands for a dark side of human nature, and in the end men and women born in that year's zodiac sign drive them out with beans and shouts of "fuku wa uchi, oni wa soto," praying for peace and safety. A child held by a demon is said to grow up strong, so howling little ones are a yearly fixture. The rite recalls a Muromachi-period tale of the temple's warrior monks teaming up with farmers to repel bandits. Seats inside the main hall are paid and must be reserved.

Sources

• OfficialSanjo City (SANJONAVI official tourism site) www.city.sanjo.niigata.jp
• OfficialNiigata Prefecture Tourism Association (Niigata Kanko Navi) niigata-kankou.or.jp

Last checked: Oct 11, 2026. Event information is based on official announcements, but changes may not always be reflected here. Please check each official website for accurate details.

Other events this month

• Secchu Hanamizu Iwai (Snow Water Blessing)
• Tokamachi Snow Festival