Photos: 市秋弘, 長田神社, Akihiro Ichi, Nagata Shrine · CC0 · Hasec · CC0
At Nagata Shrine's Tsuina-shiki (追儺式) on 3 February, seven oni dance with burning torches and swords to drive out the year's misfortune. The masks and ritual objects are a Hyogo Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property (1970).
Why it's unique
At every other Setsubun in Japan, beans are thrown to drive the oni away. At Nagata Shrine the oni are the gods' messengers, not villains, so no beans are thrown, and they do the purifying themselves.
The masks and ritual objects are designated as a prefectural folk cultural property, and the rite ends with the last rice cake split with an axe.
Before you go
The oni purify themselves in the sea at Suma beforehand. The finale is the rice-cake breaking, when the last mochi is split with an axe.
Afterwards the leftover torch bundles are sold at the Shinmon gate (¥500 since 2025); residents hang one by the front door against disaster. Arrive early for a spot near the stage; it is packed by 13:00.
