During Japan’s Joya no Kane tradition, Buddhist temple bells are rung 108 times.
The custom takes place on New Year’s Eve, usually beginning shortly before midnight and continuing into the first moments of the new year. Temples across Japan perform the ringing, and visitors may gather to hear the deep, repeated tolls.
The number 108 represents the traditional Buddhist count of earthly desires, often called bonnō in Japanese. Ringing the bell is understood symbolically to help people cast off those desires and begin the year with a clearer mind.
The final toll is sometimes associated with leaving the old year behind. The practice is religious rather than a single national countdown, so exact timing and visitor participation can differ between temples.