December 31 is called Ōmisoka in Japan, marking the final day of the year.
Ōmisoka is one of Japan’s most important annual observances. Families commonly clean their homes, settle obligations, prepare special food, and spend the evening together before welcoming the new year. The word uses a traditional term for the last day of a month, with the prefix indicating the final month of the year.
Many people visit Buddhist temples at midnight for joyanokane, the ringing of a temple bell 108 times. This custom symbolically addresses the 108 earthly desires in Buddhist thought. Ōmisoka is distinct from Shōgatsu, which refers to the New Year period beginning on January 1. It is also different from Setsubun, a seasonal festival associated with driving away bad fortune, and Tanabata, the summer star festival.