Mamemaki is a traditional event to drive away bad spirits. In this ceremony, roasted soybeans are thrown at an Oni (demon) with the chant "Oni wa soto! Fuku wa uchi" ("Out with the demon! In with the good luck!"). The gathered international students enjoyed a lecture about the origin of the tradition and then were able to practice mamemaki by throwing beans at two devils in the room (well played by Japanese graduate students).

After the practice mamemaki at the student lounge, some students went to Kanda-myojin to see an official mamemaki ceremony at Kanda-myojin, a very famous shrine in Japan. Kanda Myojin is only five minutes away from TMDU on foot and hosts an elaborate mamemaki ceremony each year.