Get Fired Up with Setsubun Quizzes! A Collection of Fun Questions to Enjoy with Kids

Last updated:2026/1/27

10 years as a kindergarten teacher / elementary school teacher / junior and senior high school teacher / childminderkepiko
Graduated from Kunitachi College of Music, Faculty of Music (now: Department of Music Culture and Education, Early Childhood Music Education major). In elementary school, my homeroom teacher was Jun Kusaba, a game researcher. After graduating from university, I worked as a kindergarten teacher for 10 years and as an after-school childcare instructor for 7 years, then took a position as a music teacher at an international school in Singapore. In addition to music education, I engaged in activities that introduced Japanese culture, traditional games, and recreational activities, working with many children. Later, through freelance writing, planning, and editing at Shogakukan, I met many delightful adults and experienced the joy of communicating and sharing. Drawing on the perspective cultivated in the field of education and my experience as an editor, I provide practical information with an emphasis on both input and output, mainly in areas related to music and children. My hobbies include instruments, singing, handicrafts, toys, drawing, traditional games, the outdoors, and books. My special skill is spinning-top tricks.
9 years of experience as a nursery school teacherShibata Risa
I am an active nursery school teacher with 9 years of experience. After graduating from university, I worked at a daycare center. The time I spent happily with children—playing piano, singing songs, and doing finger-play—are priceless memories to me. Currently, while raising three children of my own, I work at an after-school day service, engaging with children and providing individualized developmental support. Drawing on my diverse experiences as a childcare worker and as a mother, I hope to express and convey my thoughts through writing.

Here are some Setsubun quizzes perfect for enjoying with children.

They’re full of questions that will make everyone exclaim “What?!” like “What fish do ogres (oni) hate?” and “How many kinds of fillings go in an ehomaki?” While playing, kids can learn about Japanese traditional customs such as the origins of bean-throwing and the rules of ehomaki.

With various formats like true/false and multiple choice, they’re useful in many settings, such as Setsubun events or morning meetings.

Be sure to try them together with the kids!

Get hyped with Setsubun quizzes! A fun set of questions to enjoy with kids (1–10)

What do you throw while saying, “Demons out! Fortune in!”?

bean
rice
potato

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bean

Beans are also called “mametsu” (demon-banishing) and are scattered to defeat the oni, which are considered ‘demons.’

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SAKI

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When is the bean-throwing conducted?

morning
noon
night

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night

Since the oni (ogres) come at night, let's throw beans at night!

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SAKI

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What are the rules when eating an ehōmaki (lucky direction sushi roll)?

Don't talk.
Don't sit
eat while chatting with someone

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Don't talk.

It’s said that if you eat one without speaking, your wish will come true.

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SAKI

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What should you not do when eating an ehomaki?NEW!

yawn
Conversation
drink a drink

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Conversation

What you must not do when eating an ehomaki is talk. It is considered best to face that year’s “lucky direction,” make a wish in your heart, and eat the roll silently to the end. People believe that if you talk, your good fortune will escape. Even if you’re having fun, please hold off until you’ve finished eating.

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kepiko

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From which country was the culture of Setsubun introduced?NEW!

South Korea
America
China

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China

The culture of Setsubun was brought to Japan from ancient China. In China, it was believed that at the turning of the seasons, bad things could easily enter, and there were rituals to drive away evil spirits like demons. This was introduced to Japan, and by the Heian period it had become a court ceremony; it then developed into Setsubun, in which beans are scattered with the chant, “Demons out, good fortune in.”

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kepiko

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Why do people scatter beans on Setsubun?NEW!

To stay young
So that everyone can get along
So as not to get sick

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So as not to get sick

People scatter beans on Setsubun to avoid getting sick. In the past, people believed that demons (oni) brought illnesses and other misfortunes. So they scattered beans, which were thought to have power, to drive the demons away and keep their bodies healthy. Bean-throwing carries the wish that everyone will stay healthy throughout the year.

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kepiko

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What kind of beans are thrown during Setsubun?NEW!

soybean
adzuki beans
chickpea

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soybean

The beans scattered during Setsubun are soybeans. Since long ago, soybeans have been considered good for the body and powerful. The word for “beans” is also linked to the phrase meaning “to vanquish demons,” and they have been believed to have the power to drive away ogres and evil. For this reason, soybeans are scattered during Setsubun to pray for a healthy and energetic year.

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kepiko

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