Joya no Kane: The 108 Temple Bell Strikes of New Year's Eve

Updated October 24, 2026 | By Tokyo Paul

As midnight approaches on December 31, temple bells across Japan begin to ring. The sound is deep and slow, and each strike hangs in the cold air before the next. This is Joya no Kane, a Buddhist New Year's Eve ceremony. This guide shares what Wikipedia reports about the tradition and offers practical, respectful tips for attending. Temples set their own rules, schedules, and crowd measures, so check the specific temple's information before you go.

What It Is

Wikipedia describes Joya no Kane as a Japanese Buddhist event held annually on New Year's Eve. It says the bell is struck at midnight of December 31. The article adds that some temples start at 11 pm or later, and some begin only after midnight. Because schedules differ, do not assume a single time. Look up the temple you plan to visit.

Why 108?

According to the article, most temples ring the bell 108 times. It says there are several possible explanations for the origin of the number 108, and it does not give a single answer. One explanation it mentions is that in Buddhism there are 108 sins known as kleshas, or bonnou. The page links these to the six senses, with each sense having variations. Other explanations involve dukkha and the Japanese calendar, according to the article. Since explanations vary, you can listen to the bell without needing to settle on one.

Old Year and New Year

The article notes that some temples ring 107 times in the old year and save the last strike for the new year. This is a nice detail, because it means the final strike marks the crossing itself. If you attend, you may notice how the pacing of the strikes fits the idea of a slow release.

Who Rings the Bell?

The page says some temples allow laypeople to participate in ringing the bell, and that these may go past 108 strikes. It does not say whether the general public can ring at every temple. Policies differ widely, and many temples have ticketing, queues, or limits. Do not assume you may ring a bell unless the temple states that visitors can participate.

Where It Is Observed

The article says the ceremony is celebrated mainly in Japan, but also in South Korea, and that it is held at Japanese Buddhist temples around the world. It mentions that in South Korea, at Bosingak, the bell is rung 33 times. This shows how a custom can take different forms in different places. For this article, we focus on the Japanese practice.

Planning to Attend

Choose a temple and check its official website or notices for the schedule and rules.
Decide whether you want to join a crowd or find a quieter local temple.
Plan transportation carefully. Trains may run on special schedules around year-end, and crowds can be heavy. Check with the railway operator.
Dress warmly, since you may stand outdoors for a long time.
Bring a small flashlight or use your phone light carefully, but avoid disturbing others.
Keep your belongings secure.
Agree on a meeting point with your group.

Etiquette at a Temple

The Visit Kanagawa guide advises bowing at the Sanmon gate at a temple, and says you do not clap your hands there. It advises respecting no photography and no entry areas and avoiding revealing outfits. Keep your voice low during the ceremony. Do not cut into lines, and follow staff instructions. If photography is restricted, put your camera away. Remember that for many people, this is a religious observance.

Staying Safe in a Crowd at Night

Keep close to your group, and hold children's hands.
Watch your step, especially on stairs and gravel.
Be careful around lit candles or braziers, if present.
If you feel unwell, step to the side and ask staff for help.
Avoid alcohol if you plan to stand in a crowd for a long time.
Note the exits and follow crowd control directions.

A Reflection on the Sound

Even if you cannot attend, you can create a small moment of your own. At midnight, sit quietly, listen to a recording of a bell if you wish, and think about what you want to leave behind. Tokyo Paul's article on toshikoshi soba offers a similar spirit. The Amazon description of Tokyo Paul's ikigai book mentions mindfulness practices, which fit well with a quiet year-end pause.

If You Prefer to Listen From Home

You do not have to travel to a temple to take part in the mood. Many people prefer a quieter experience at home. Dim the lights, make a warm drink, and sit by a window. If you hear a distant bell, count a few strikes. If not, use a recording, and let the pace slow your breathing. Afterward, you might write down a short note to your future self. This kind of small ritual is a gentle alternative to a crowded gathering, especially for people who dislike late-night crowds or cold weather.

Traveling With Children or Older Relatives

Midnight events can be long and cold. If you are traveling with children or older relatives, consider visiting a temple earlier in the evening, when crowds are smaller, or listening from a nearby spot. Bring warm blankets for sitting, hot drinks in a thermos if permitted, and a clear plan for getting home. Prioritize comfort and safety over seeing every moment.

Where the Custom Came From

Wikipedia says the practice of ringing a temple bell 108 times originated in Zen temples of China's Song dynasty. During the Kamakura period, Japanese Zen temples rang their bells 108 times in the morning and evening each day, and in the Muromachi period the ringing became a Japanese Zen event held only on New Year's Eve, established as Joya no kane. The page also says the midnight ringing in Zen temples is performed to ward off bad luck from the northeast direction.

Why 108? The Page Gives Several Answers

The article says there are several possible explanations for the number 108 and no one correct answer. One explanation derives 108 kleshas from six senses, each with three variations and two kinds, across three lifetimes. Another notes that the traditional calendar's 12 months, 24 solar terms, and 72 microseasons also sum to 108. The page adds that some temples may go past 108 ringings, so 108 is an at-most figure at many temples and not a fixed count. If you are at a temple, listen and follow the local practice.

Broadcasts and Wartime

According to the page, the NHK predecessor JOAK began a radio program called Joya no Kane in 1927, and the first live broadcast from a temple, Senso-ji, came in 1929, though the earliest Chion-in broadcast is dated to 1928 or 1929, so the exact start is uncertain. In 1955, the program was renamed Yuku Toshi Kuru Toshi and broadcast on television. The page also says that in 1941, many temples were ordered to hand over their bells to be scrapped for metal.

A Custom Under Pressure

Wikipedia says that since the late 2010s, some temples have stopped ringing at midnight due to aging monks and neighbors' noise complaints, and that Ryukoku-ji in Namerikawa moved its ringing to 2 pm as of 2021. This matters for travelers, because you cannot assume that a given temple still rings at midnight. Check the temple's own announcements for the time, any ticket or lottery system, and whether the public may ring.

Planning a Calm Year-End Visit

If you decide to attend, dress warmly, wear comfortable shoes, and plan how you will get home, since transport late at night can be limited. Bring a charged phone, keep to the side to leave room for worshippers, and follow instructions from staff. Keep your voice low during the ringing, and avoid using flash. If you would rather avoid crowds, you can listen from a quiet spot nearby or watch a broadcast, and still take part in the spirit of the night.

Questions People Ask

When does it happen? At midnight on December 31, though some temples start earlier or later.

How many strikes? Most temples ring 108 times.

Why 108? The article says there are several possible explanations.

Can visitors ring the bell? Some temples allow laypeople to participate.

Is it only in Japan? It is mainly celebrated in Japan, and also in South Korea.

Letting the Year Go

The slow rhythm of the bell is a reminder that endings can be gentle. If you listen, you might find that the sound helps you let go of something. Even a few quiet moments can be enough.

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Tokyo Paul's Unlocking Ikigai: The Japanese Key to Longevity, Purpose, and Happiness (Japanese Wellness and Ikigai Book 1) is described on Amazon as including inspiring quotes and mindfulness practices. See Unlocking Ikigai on Amazon