Mentai-ju News vol.12

As we enter the New Year, we hope you are all in good health.

In this year's first mentaikoju column, we will introduce the Setsubun Festival held at Kushida Shrine, the guardian shrine of Hakata.
Kushida Shrine is affectionately known as "O-Kushida-san" and is a power spot that is visited by many worshippers throughout the year.
In mid-January, the largest "Otafuku mask" in Japan, measuring about 5 meters in height, is set up at the entrance to the shrine, and visitors pass through its wide-open mouth.
It is said that if you visit the shrine grounds, you will be granted blessings of prosperity in business, safety in your home, and great good fortune.

The main Setsubun festival begins on February 3rd, when a grand bean-throwing ritual is held.
From the red and white stage, kabuki actors, actors, and people chosen from among the general public who were born in the same year as the oldest man or woman in the year, throw beans to the chant "Oni wa soto, fuku wa uchi" ("Demons out, good fortune in").
Many visitors receive them. They are also given Setsubun lucky charms with the wish "for even more good fortune."

～We also offer "Fuku" at our store～
Our signature dish, "Ganso Hakata Mentaiju," is made with ingredients such as mentaiko (medetaiko) and kelp (yorokobu), which are said to bring prosperity to descendants.
It contains many auspicious items that are indispensable at celebratory occasions, and is appreciated as a lucky charm unique to Hakata.
We make our mentaiko-ju with all our heart, hoping that it will bring you good fortune. It is also available for Take Out and as Original Goods.

・Kushida Shrine (1-41 Kamikawabata-cho, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka City)
10 minutes walk from Mentaiju "Nishinakasu"
Mentaiju "Hakata" is 1 stop on the Fukuoka Municipal Subway Nanakuma Line (1 minute ride)