The Setsubun is one of Japan's biggest and most exciting festivals. It celebrates the end of winter and based around the superstition of throwing soybeans to ward off evil spirits. People yell out "Fortune in! Devils out!" (in Japanese:"Fuku-wa-uchi, Oni-wa-soto!") and you'll find locals dressed up as demons and wearing colourful masks. As fire represents the purification of the past, the event also has people carrying massive burning torches, bonfires, and a fantastic fireworks display.