Things I didn't try early on; "mamemaki" ceremonies

We have been writing about things we didn't try in our early years in Japan on City-cost. But this particular example could also fall under the heading of "things I may never have tried, if I never had children!" Because only for my children did I brace the Japanese custom of "mamemaki" bean throwing ceremonies.

You can find information about "mamemaki" through a search on City-cost. But in short, they are a ceremony at temples or shrines for Setsubun, which is mostly on February 3rd (occasionally February 2nd or 4th). The priests and honored guests throw "mame" beans from a stage and the crowd below try to catch them. Sometimes instead of beans, there are amulets, money or other items in the little envelopes.

When the children were small, I used to bring them to the "mamemaki" ceremony at various locations, and one year I decided to try it at a temple. Much to my surprise, it was mainly adults in the audience and very few children! Had I known that, I may have gone sooner! I also didn't know until that very first time, that sometimes there is money in the envelopes. Which I found out by catching a few! That would have also spurred me to go sooner if I'd known!

Have you been to a Setsbun festival / mamemaki ceremony at a temple or shrine? Did you go early on in your Japan adventure or is it something you only tried after a few / many years here?