Jyoya no Kane (Omisoka New Year's Eve)
Around midnight on New Year's Eve, all temples ring their large bronze bells 108 times in a tradition called "Joya-no-kane".
Why 108 times? In Buddhism, it is said that humans have 108 earthly desires that are the source of all suffering, and each toll of the bell helps people rid themselves of one of these desires.
By ringing out the old and bringing in the new, each earthly desire is shed so the New Year can begin with a pure mind. The final toll rings just after midnight.
Other Japanese customs for the New Year
