Setsubun in Japan marks the beginning of spring and is often celebrated with mamemaki (soybean throwing ceremonies) with cries of Oni wa soto! Fuku wa uchi! (Devil get out! Good luck in!). This year (on February 3 - sorry this post is a bit late...) I was able to participate in the ritual at the nearby Kayashima Shrine. Beans and visitors were blessed by the Shinto priest before all lined up to get a package of beans and then a cup of warm amazake (sweet non-alcohol sake). It was a very nice celebration and chance for the neighbors to gather.
Setsubun is celebrated differently depending on location. See a larger celebration at the Naritasan temple on Osaka a few years ago: http://visualanthropologyofjapan.blogspot.jp/2013/02/setsubun-naritasan-fudoson-temple-in.html
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