Setsubun Day

Hello!
This is Ando from the service staff at Machiyado Ichiryu.

As the new year has begun, nearly one month has already passed.
How have you been spending your days?

This time, we would like to introduce the “Setsubun Star Festival” held at Hida Kokubunji Temple.

What is the Setsubun Star Festival?

In the traditional lunar calendar, Risshun (the first day of spring) marks the beginning of the year.
On the day before it, known as Setsubun, various ceremonies are held to pray for the removal of misfortune and the welcoming of good fortune.

At Hida Kokubunji Temple, a special esoteric Buddhist ritual called the Star Festival (Hoshimatsuri) is performed on this day.

Since ancient times, people have observed the stars and believed that they are closely connected to human destiny and fortune.
According to the Shukuyokyo, a sutra introduced to Japan by Kobo Daishi (Kukai), each person has a star determined by their year of birth (Honmyo-shi), as well as a star that changes each year (Tonen-shi).

During the Star Festival, prayers are offered to these stars so that
those experiencing an unfavorable year may avoid misfortune and disaster,
and those in a favorable year may enjoy even greater happiness and success.

The temple is located about a 5-minute walk from our inn, so if you have time, we warmly invite you to stop by.

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Location: Hida Kokubunji Temple
Date & Time: Tuesday, February 3, 2026
      2:00 PM / 7:00 PM