Feb 1, 2025
Soybeans or peanuts?
Since it's Setsubun tomorrow, I was wondering about what's thrown to ward off "demons" in your local area. I know that when I lived in Tokyo it was roasted soybeans, but out here in Niigata's snow country it's more common to throw peanuts.
Bags of peanuts at a local supermarket
Apparently, in snowy regions it's more common to go the peanuts route—more than 70% of regions in Hokuriku and Tohoku use peanuts, with that ballooning out to over 90% in Hokkaido. The logic comes down to peanuts being easier to pick up, and since the shells are still on there's a hygienic element as well.
I'm curious about your part of Japan—are you a soybeans region or a peanuts region? Let me know in the comments!
3 Comments
Centaur1975
on Feb 4
Yey! Where are peanuts grown in Japan?
helloalissa
on Feb 4
This is funny because peanuts are legumes, not beans. Here (Osaka) it's the snacky dried soybeans. I verified same in Chiba, which is one place in Japan that peanuts are commonly grown. It's not even peanut season...
genkidesu
on Feb 5
@helloalissa I also found it unusual! I didn't know that Chiba was a peanut growing region, but the fact they don't use them is interesting. I guess maybe it's just a snowy region thing! @Centaur1975 Chiba is apparently somewhere they grow! I learned something new today as well :)