On January 28, 2024, the Setsubun event ''Oniyarai Shinto Ritual'' was held at Iwashimizu Hachiman Shrine in Yawata City, Kyoto Prefecture. Worshipers packed in front of the main shrine prayed for good health and watched as the demons were exterminated.
During the ritual, a ''devil'' holding a bow adorned with a peach branch, which is said to ward off evil spirits, faced the four directions and east-northeast, which is this year's auspicious direction, and vigorously plucked the bowstring. Next, he brandished a peach branch that looked like a sword.
When members of the Iwashimizu Hachimangu Youth Association dressed in red and green demon costumes appeared and loudly threatened the children with metal clubs in their hands, some children started crying and hid behind their parents, while others froze up and stopped moving. The demon headed toward the main shrine, but was repelled by the young women and men who threw lucky beans at him and shouted "Oniyaro."
Worshipers watched the ritual while filming it on camera. There was also a scene where they were served lucky beans, and they happily grabbed them with their hands outstretched.
