Today is January 27, meaning sans severe orbital disruption, next Sunday will be February 3. The next day, 2/4, is officially known as “the beginning of spring” (risshun, 立春), a remnant of when Japan followed the lunar calendar and the Asian New Year.
Seasonal changes were thought to bring the netherworld closer to the temporal, for good or bad, and were termed “Setsubun” (節分 - recently, the term refers only to the day before risshun), so driving off evil spirits and beckoning benign is important on that day. This is done in two ways: by scattering roasted soybeans in front of one’s abode while crying, “Evil, out!” (onni ha soto, 鬼は外 - sort of like shouting “Squirrel!” at the devils) and “Fortune, in!” (fuku ha uchi, 福は内). Results may vary.
Most major shrines will hold events next Sunday. The main venue would be at Kato Shrine in the castle (photo below), supposed to be where the tradition first appeared in Kumamoto via Kanto and Kansai in 1871. If you desire to partake in the tradition, I recommend a trip to Daiso. There, you can buy beans and the two types of masks representing evil and prosperity (photo below - wear the red one leaving and the white entering; your neighbors will understand). If you’re hardcore, place a garland of holly and sardine heads outside your door - the sharp edges of the holly will deter demons, and dried sardine heads are kind of yucky (known as “hiiragisasu” ひいらぎさす、this is more of a Honshu tradition and is uncommon in Kumamaoto). For Japanese readers, more is here: http://kumamototeshigoto-labo.jp/feature.php?id=6 - William