yagura, a high platform or tower set up in the main square or park and decorated with brightly colored lanterns. People of all ages per form the dance in a circle around the yagura. The exact steps of the dance vary from town to town and region to region. But in all parts of Japan this is a joyful event, and many members of the communi ty join in the celebration. In larger towns, there may also be stands selling gifts, good-luck charms, and tasty treats to onlookers and participants alike. On the final night of Obon, it is time to guide the spirits back to their world. Many cooks prepare snacks for the spirits to take with them on their journey. Once again, lanterns and bonfires light the way. Finally, people gather by lakes, rivers, and coasts to launch the spirits in small boats carrying miniature lanterns. The names of the people being remembered are usually written on the boat or on lit tle pieces of paper in the boat.These tiny crafts are set into the water, and families bid farewell to the spirits of their ancestors until next Obon. Many Japanese festivals are based on the seasons. Setsubun, meaning “dividing of the seasons,” takes place around February 3 to celebrate the beginning of spring according to the lunar calendar. The main activity of this festival is mamemaki, or bean-throwing. As part of an ancient custom, roasted soybeans are thrown outside the home to keep demons out and thrown inside to attract good fortune.This rit ual is often performed by the head of the family, but children usu ally join in the fun, sometimes wearing scary masks. As they scatter the beans they chant, “Oni wa soto! Fuku wa uchi!” meaning, “Devils out! Happiness in!” Afterward, it is considered good luck to pick up and eat one soybean for each year in one’s life, plus one more for the coming year. Temples and shrines hold public mamemaki cere monies, often featuring actors, sumo wrestlers, and other celebrities. In early February, Sapporo’s week-long Snow Festival, Yuki Matsuri, draws visitors from all over the world. Located on Hokkaido, Japan’s northernmost island, Sapporo has the perfect
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