“Joya no kane” is the Japanese New Year’s Eve ritual of ringing Buddhist temple bells 108 times.
The Japanese phrase refers to the bell-ringing custom performed at Buddhist temples on the night known as Ōmisoka, the final day of the year. Each strike symbolizes one of the 108 earthly desires or worldly passions identified in Buddhist tradition. Ringing the bell is therefore understood as a way to cast off these burdens before the new year begins.
Many temples begin the sequence before midnight and finish after the calendar changes. Some places allow visitors to take part, while others reserve the ringing for temple officials or organized groups.
Joya no kane is often confused with hatsumōde, which means the first shrine or temple visit of the new year. The two customs are related by timing but are not the same ritual: one centers on temple bells, while the other centers on a first visit and prayer.