In Japan's New Year's Eve tradition of joyan kane, Buddhist temple bells are traditionally rung 108 times.
The ceremony takes place on New Year's Eve, which is called Ōmisoka in Japan. The 108 rings represent the bonnō, or worldly desires and sources of suffering in Buddhist thought. The final rings are intended to help people leave these troubles behind as the new year begins.
Many temples begin the ringing before midnight and finish around the change of year. In some ceremonies, visitors are allowed to strike the bell themselves, while in others monks or temple staff control the sequence.
The number is religious and symbolic rather than a modern countdown invented for entertainment. Japanese New Year customs also include visiting a shrine or temple, sending greeting cards, and eating year-end soba. Practices differ between temples and regions, but the 108-bell tradition is widely recognized.