2023 - 37th Annual Japanese New Year's Bell-Ringing Ceremony Event (Purifying Rings of a 16th-Century Japanese Temple Bell)NEW

Ring in the New Year by taking a swing at a 2,100-pound, 16th-century Japanese temple bell. Led by Reverend Gengo Akiba, this inspiring ceremony will include a purification ritual and chanting of the Buddhist Heart Sutra. Reverend Akiba will begin the bell-ringing, and then it’s your chance to ring the bell to leave behind any unfortunate experiences, regrettable deeds or ill luck from the previous year. The bell will be struck 108 times to usher in the New Year and curb the 108 mortal desires (bonno) that, according to Buddhist belief, torment humankind. While you wait your turn, fold paper cranes for luck and prosperity in the new year.

We encourage visitors to purchase general museum admission tickets before coming to the museum on December 31. An admission ticket guarantees entry to the museum, but visitors interested in joining the Bell Ringing Ceremony must pick up separate tickets to ring the bell at the main entrance to Samsung Hall once on-site.  This event is first come, first served. To ensure you have a chance to ring the bell, we recommend that you arrive at Samsung Hall no later than 12 p.m. Members enjoy early admission to this event.

Event Date
December 31, 2022

Event Time
11:30 am

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Program Schedule
09:30 am-11:30 am: Members-only Bell Ringing
11:00 am-11:30 am: Touch tour of the temple bell for Blind and Visually Impaired Guests (pre-registration required)
11:00 am-2:00 pm: Hands-on Art Activities
11:30 am-1:00 pm: General Public Bell Ringing
12:15 pm-1:00 pm: Descriptive and tactile tour for Blind and Visually Impaired Guests (pre-registration required)

Event Title Previous
Annual Japanese New Year's Bell-Ringing Ceremony (Swing at a 2,100-Pound, 16th-century Japanese Temple Bell)