Today, February 3rd, is called the Setsubun day, where Japanese people conduct a ceremonial custom known as "oni-yarai" (oni=evil/demon). The custom is practiced in homes and shrine, in which soy beans are scattered around to drive out demons and bring in good fortune.
Here is what they say as they threw the soy beans: "oni wa soto, fuku wa uchi" meaning "evil goes out, luck comes in". At the end of the ceremony, each person including children can eat the soy beans and there is a belief that the number of soy beans you can eat should be the same as your age. Eating the soy beans bring good luck and health for the year.
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