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Year-end ritual at Nachi Falls

NACHIKATSUURA, Japan, Dec. 27 Kyodo - Priests from Kumano Nachi Taisha shrine replace a giant sacred "shimenawa" rope with a new one above Nachi Falls during a year-end ritual in Nachikatsuura, Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on Dec. 27, 2025. (Kyodo)

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Charm burning ritual at eastern Japan temple

A monk throws charms and amulets onto a fire in appreciation for the granting of worshippers' wishes during a year-end "otakiage" ritual at Naritasan Shinshoji Temple in Narita in Chiba Prefecture, eastern Japan, on Dec. 28, 2025.

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Charm burning ritual at eastern Japan temple

A monk throws charms and amulets onto a fire in appreciation for the granting of worshippers' wishes during a year-end "otakiage" ritual at Naritasan Shinshoji Temple in Narita in Chiba Prefecture, eastern Japan, on Dec. 28, 2025.

E

Charm burning ritual at eastern Japan temple

A monk throws charms and amulets onto a fire in appreciation for the granting of worshippers' wishes during a year-end "otakiage" ritual at Naritasan Shinshoji Temple in Narita in Chiba Prefecture, eastern Japan, on Dec. 28, 2025.

E

Year-end ritual at Nachi Falls

Priests from Kumano Nachi Taisha shrine replace a giant sacred "shimenawa" rope with a new one above Nachi Falls during a year-end ritual in Nachikatsuura, Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on Dec. 27, 2025.

E

Charm burning ritual at eastern Japan temple

Monks throw charms and amulets onto a fire in appreciation for the granting of worshippers' wishes during a year-end "otakiage" ritual at Naritasan Shinsho-ji temple in Narita in Chiba Prefecture, eastern Japan, on Dec. 28, 2024.

E

Charm burning ritual at eastern Japan temple

Monks throw charms and amulets onto a fire in appreciation for the granting of worshippers' wishes during a year-end "otakiage" ritual at Naritasan Shinsho-ji temple in Narita in Chiba Prefecture, eastern Japan, on Dec. 28, 2024.

E

Charm burning ritual at eastern Japan temple

A year-end "otakiage" ritual, in which monks throw charms and amulets onto a temple fire in appreciation for the granting of worshippers' wishes, is held at Naritasan Shinsho-ji in Narita in Chiba Prefecture, eastern Japan, on Dec. 28, 2023.

E

Charm burning ritual at eastern Japan temple

A year-end "otakiage" ritual, in which monks throw charms and amulets onto a temple fire in appreciation for the granting of worshippers' wishes, is held at Naritasan Shinsho-ji in Narita in Chiba Prefecture, eastern Japan, on Dec. 28, 2023.

E

Charm burning ritual at eastern Japan temple

A year-end "otakiage" ritual, in which monks throw charms and amulets onto a temple fire in appreciation for the granting of worshippers' wishes, is held at Naritasan Shinsho-ji in Narita in Chiba Prefecture, eastern Japan, on Dec. 28, 2023.

E

Charm burning ritual at eastern Japan temple

A year-end "otakiage" ritual, in which monks throw charms and amulets onto a temple fire in appreciation for the granting of worshipers' wishes, is held at Naritasan Shinsho-ji Temple in Narita, Chiba Prefecture, eastern Japan, on Dec. 28, 2022.

E

Charm burning ritual at eastern Japan temple

A year-end "otakiage" ritual, in which monks throw charms and amulets onto a temple fire in appreciation for the granting of worshipers' wishes, is held at Naritasan Shinsho-ji Temple in Narita, Chiba Prefecture, eastern Japan, on Dec. 28, 2022.

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Followers clean Higashi-Honganji Temple for new year

KYOTO, Japan - Followers of the Higashi-Honganji Temple in Kyoto beat the dust out of the tatami mats in the temple with bamboo sticks and huge paper fans on Dec. 20, 2009, a traditional year-end ritual in preparation for the new year.

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Followers clean Higashi-Honganji Temple for new year

KYOTO, Japan - Followers of the Higashi-Honganji Temple in Kyoto beat the dust out of the tatami mats in the temple with bamboo sticks and huge paper fans on Dec. 20, 2009, a traditional year-end ritual in preparation for the new year.

E

Charm burning ritual at eastern Japan temple

A year-end "otakiage" ritual, in which monks throw charms onto a temple fire in appreciation for the granting of worshippers' wishes, is held at Naritasan Shinshoji temple in Narita, Chiba Prefecture, eastern Japan, on Dec. 28, 2021.

E

Charm burning ritual at eastern Japan temple

A year-end "otakiage" ritual, in which monks throw charms onto a temple fire in appreciation for the granting of worshippers' wishes, is held at Naritasan Shinshoji temple in Narita, Chiba Prefecture, eastern Japan, on Dec. 28, 2021.

E

Namahage practice ahead of year-end ritual

People dressed as a deity called Namahage take part in practice in Oga, Akita Prefecture, on Dec. 20, 2018, ahead of the year-end ritual. The city's "Oga no Namahage," along with other Japanese folk rituals, was added to UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list in November. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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Namahage practice ahead of year-end ritual

People dressed as a deity called Namahage take part in practice in Oga, Akita Prefecture, on Dec. 20, 2018, ahead of the year-end ritual. The city's "Oga no Namahage," along with other Japanese folk rituals, was added to UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list in November. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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Followers clean Higashi-Honganji Temple for new year

KYOTO, Japan - Followers of the Higashi-Honganji Temple in Kyoto beat the dust out of the tatami mats in the temple with bamboo sticks and huge paper fans on Dec. 20, 2009, a traditional year-end ritual in preparation for the new year. (Kyodo)

E

Followers clean Higashi-Honganji Temple for new year

KYOTO, Japan - Followers of the Higashi-Honganji Temple in Kyoto beat the dust out of the tatami mats in the temple with bamboo sticks and huge paper fans on Dec. 20, 2009, a traditional year-end ritual in preparation for the new year. (Kyodo)