New Year's Eve in Japan, observed with temple bells and year-end cleaning, is called Ōmisoka.
Ōmisoka is the final day of the Japanese year and is observed on December 31. Families commonly complete Ōsōji, a thorough year-end cleaning, and prepare food for the New Year. The holiday has a reflective character: people settle unfinished matters, spend time with relatives, and mark the transition into the next year.
At Buddhist temples, Joya no kane involves ringing a bell 108 times. The ritual represents cleansing people of the 108 earthly desires recognized in Buddhist teaching. Many people also eat soba noodles on New Year's Eve; their long, thin shape is associated with longevity, while their easy-to-break texture can symbolize leaving the old year behind.
Ōmisoka should not be confused with Shōgatsu. Ōmisoka is the eve itself, while Shōgatsu refers to the New Year period that follows. Customs differ by household and region, but the distinction is useful when describing Japan's calendar traditions.