The Americas, Australasia, Asia, Europe and Africa have already been marking the arrival of the new year with fireworks and ...

Postal workers in a western Japanese city delivered New Year's greeting cards in a neighborhood near a famous temple on ...

Pilgrimages have been part of Japanese culture for over a thousand years. The UNESCO-listed Kumano Kodo is legendary among ...

Highlights: It's a time for grand celebrations and reflection, setting the stage for positive moments with family and friends ...

During oshogatsu (Japanese New Year), people in Japan huddle outside of temples and shrines to pray for an auspicious year, hands warmed by steaming cups of amazake (fermented rice drink).

Premium New Year 2025 LIVE updates: Devotees wait to offer prayers at Shri Bade Hanuman Ji temple on the first day ... with heavy snowfall in Japan causing flight cancellations and severe flood ...

Around midnight on New Year’s Eve, you may hear bells peal in the tranquil sky monotonously for about 1-2 hours. This Buddhist tradition is called Joya no Kane, and it is one of the most important ...

A 16th century bronze bell rang 108 times on Sunday during a celebration of the Japanese New Year at San Francisco’s Asian ...

Australia and New Zealand were among the first countries to ring in the New Year. Countries in the Asia-Pacific region were ...

In Japan, New Year, known as Oshogatsu, is a time for purification and new beginnings. Buddhist temples ring their bells 108 times to cleanse the 108 earthly desires. Families also prepare ...

Japan's capital, Tokyo, is no exception as the end of the year approaches. On New Year's Eve, the sound of bell ringing can be heard from shrines across Tokyo as people visit temples to pray for a ...