Feb. 3, Setsubun no Hi, marks the beginning of spring in the Japanese lunar calendar. On this day, it’s custom to throw beans around the house to drive away evil spirits, yelling “oniwasoto, fukuwauchi,” meaning “evil out, happiness in!” In recent years, it’s become increasingly popular to eat eho maki – fortune sushi rolls that are eaten without cutting it into pieces. Cutting them is believed to cut off your luck! Department stores around Fukuoka this year have begun selling unique eho-maki, with the aim that more foreigners will celebrate setsubun no hi. Mitsukoshi: Fugu Roll ¥2,700, Fruits of the Sea’ Roll ¥2,160, Korean Beef Roll: ¥691, Sweet Roll ¥864 And at Hankyu: Whole Lobster Roll ¥7,560, Crab Roll: ¥3,780, Luxury Seafood Roll: ¥2,980
