Why Japan Rings Buddhist Bells 108 Times to Welcome the New Year
In short: As the clock strikes midnight on December 31, Buddhist temples across Japan ring their bells 108 times. This ritual, known as Joya no Kane, is designed to purge the 108 worldly temptations and sins of the past year, offering citizens a clean spiritual slate for the year ahead.
The Japanese New Year, or Shōgatsu, has been officially celebrated on January 1 since 1873, following Japan's adoption of the Gregorian calendar during the Meiji period. Before this shift, the date was determined by various lunisolar calendars, which tied the festival to the arrival of early spring. While the calendar changed, the cultural weight of the season remains rooted in a blend of ancient tradition and modern adaptation.
Culinary customs are central to the celebration. Families prepare osechi-ryōri, a collection of dishes traditionally designed to be stored without refrigeration, reflecting a time before modern appliances. Other staples include ozōni, a regional soup featuring mochi rice cakes, and toshikoshi soba, eaten on New Year's Eve. The preparation of mochi itself is a communal act, involving a wooden container called a usu and a large mallet to pound steamed rice into sticky dumplings.
Beyond food, the season is defined by social and spiritual rituals. The custom of sending nengajō postcards allows families to share well-wishes, though digital greetings are increasingly common among younger generations. Meanwhile, the tradition of performing Beethoven's Ninth Symphony—introduced by German prisoners during World War I—has become a widespread seasonal fixture, particularly since the 1960s. These practices, alongside shrine visits and the exchange of money in envelopes known as pochibukuro, illustrate a society that balances deep-seated heritage with evolving global influences.
The festival also encompasses the Little New Year, or koshōgatsu, traditionally held around January 15. This period focuses on agricultural prayers and the burning of New Year decorations in a fire ritual called Sagichō. From the ringing of temple bells to the first sunrise, the Japanese New Year remains a complex tapestry of seasonal 'firsts' that continue to define the cultural rhythm of the country.
Opens the Intellect+ feed with this card first. Swipe up for the next one.
Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Japanese New Year
To cite this card, link to https://intellectplus.co.uk/app/culture-japanese-new-year.
How we source, check and correct cards: Editorial standards.
General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.
Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?
Related
More in Culture · More in Cultures · Latest · A–Z · All topics
