Every year on February 3, millions of Japanese families open their front doors and hurl roasted soybeans into the cold night air. They shout a phrase that has echoed through Japanese homes for centuries: “Oni wa soto! Fuku wa uchi!” — Demons out! Good fortune in! This is mamemaki (豆まき), […]
Eastern Asia
Setsubun Festival Foods: From Fukumame to Sushi Rolls
Every winter in Japan, just when the cold feels most stubborn, a quiet shift happens. Families gather around kitchen tables. Supermarket shelves fill with fat sushi rolls and bags of roasted soybeans. Children rehearse a chant they have known since kindergarten: “Oni wa soto! Fuku wa uchi!” — Demons out! […]
Top 10 Ehōmaki Recipes for Setsubun 2026 Luck
Every year, as the last chill of winter settles across Japan, a quiet anticipation fills the aisles of supermarkets, convenience stores, and neighborhood sushi shops. Stacks of plump, uncut sushi rolls wrapped in glossy nori seaweed appear overnight. Hand-lettered signs point toward the lucky direction. Families gather around kitchen tables, […]
What Is Setsubun? History, Customs, and How to Celebrate Japan’s Bean-Throwing Festival in 2026
Every year, as the cold grip of Japanese winter begins to loosen, something unusual happens across the country. Fathers put on fearsome red and blue masks. Children load their tiny fists with roasted soybeans. And then, with gleeful shouts of “Oni wa soto! Fuku wa uchi!” (“Demons out! Good fortune […]
Setsubun 2026: Ultimate Guide to Bean-Throwing Traditions, Ehomaki, and Japan’s Spring Festival
Every year, on the cusp of spring, Japan comes alive with a ritual that is equal parts ancient and playful. Handfuls of roasted soybeans fly through the air. Children squeal in delight—and maybe a little fear—as a family member stomps around in a horned demon mask. The chant “Oni wa […]
Tencent Yuanbao and ByteDance Doubao: AI Chatbots for Chinese New Year Celebrations Abroad
How Chinese Technology Giants Are Helping Overseas Communities Celebrate the Year of the Fire Horse 2026 The crackling of firecrackers once echoed through narrow village streets in Guangdong. Red paper couplets adorned wooden doorways. Grandmothers stirred pots of steaming dumplings while children counted their hongbao money under flickering lantern light. […]
Chinese Intangible Heritage Like Lion Dance: The Ultimate Spring Festival Experiences for International Tourists
A comprehensive guide to experiencing China’s UNESCO-recognized traditions during the most important festival of the year The drumbeats thunder through the narrow streets of ancient Foshan. A magnificent lion, its eyes blazing with golden light, leaps from pole to pole in a display of breathtaking agility. Thousands of spectators hold […]
2026 Chinese New Year Traditional Events: Beijing Temple Fair Guide for Foreign Visitors
The air is crisp. Red lanterns sway in the winter breeze. The rhythmic beat of drums echoes through ancient parks. Welcome to a Beijing temple fair during Chinese New Year—one of the most immersive cultural experiences any traveler can witness. For foreign visitors, attending a Beijing temple fair during the […]
2026 Chinese New Year Movie Box Office: Complete Viewing Guide for “Pegasus 3” for Foreign Audiences
A Deep Dive into China’s Most Anticipated Racing Comedy and How International Viewers Can Experience the Spring Festival Cinema Tradition The aroma of dumplings fills kitchens across China. Red lanterns sway gently in the winter breeze. Families reunite after months apart. And in cinemas from Beijing to Shenzhen, the lights […]
North-South Chinese New Year Trips: Ice Snow and Tropical Combinations for International Visitors
A Complete Travel Guide for Foreign Tourists Exploring China’s Winter Festival Season Introduction: Why Experience Chinese New Year as an International Visitor in 2026 China transforms during Chinese New Year. The world’s largest annual human migration brings the country alive with celebrations spanning 16 days. In 2025, the Ministry of […]