Shiba Park Hotel 151 in Tokyo announced on January 11 that it will hold an event on Feb. 3, 2017, to observe a "Setsubun Mame-maki" festival at Zojoji Temple. The event is designed to allow guests from overseas to experience and enjoy Japanese culture and customs.

(Photo: http://prw.kyodonews.jp/prwfile/release/M104041/201701067672/_prw_OI1fl_m886335I.JPG)

"Setsubun" means the day before the first day of spring. As it is believed in Japan that evils come when seasons change, "mame-maki" is a custom in which people throw beans at their houses to drive evils away.

At the event, hotel staff will introduce the "setsubun" custom, and escort guests to observe the Setsubun Mame-maki festival at Zojoji Temple. Guests at Shiba Park Hotel 151 and Shiba Park Hotel are welcome to join the event without any fee.

Shiba Park Hotel 151 President Rentaro Yanase said:

"On 'setsubun,' we pray for happiness of the year by throwing and eating beans. I hope that guests will become familiar with Japanese 'setsubun' culture through this event."

Shiba Park Hotel 151 Room Division Manager Masaomi Ichinomiya said:

"We hope to share the Japanese traditional 'setsubun' custom with guests from overseas, and pray together for their safe trip in Japan and back home."

Shiba Park Hotel 151 hopes that all guests will enjoy experiencing Japanese seasonal culture and customs and that their experience will last as an unforgettable memory of their visit to Tokyo.

About Shiba Park Hotel 151

Shiba Park Hotel 151 is a city hotel conveniently located in central Tokyo. There are 4 train and subway stations within a walking distance, offering great access to Tokyo's major sightseeing spots. There are 70 guest rooms, a steak restaurant, and the Japanese Culture Salon SAKURA where hotel guests can experience Japanese culture in workshop style. Hotel staff act as instructors, and workshops are held every day, such as origami (paper-folding), Japanese calligraphy, and more. The concept of Shiba Park Hotel 151 is "Hospitality from the moment you book." Hotel staff will get in touch with guests and suggest activities according to the seasons and interests from the moment they make reservations.

Website: http://hotel151.com