Year-End Bell Ringing Ceremony at the Japanese Friendship Bell on Shelter Island (Dec. 31, 2023)NEW

The Buddhist Temple of San Diego cordially invites you to its traditional year-end events.

December 31, 11:00 pm (at the Friendship Bell)
YEAR-END BELL-RINGING CEREMONY at the Japanese Friendship Bell on Shelter Island,

1402 Shelter Island Drive, hosted by the Buddhist Temple of San Diego. Because it is alcohol-free and family- friendly, this Buddhist ritual has become a meaningful year-end tradition for many San Diegans, Buddhist or not. 

The program, which begins promptly at 11:00 pm, includes a brief history of the Friendship Bell and the ceremony, followed by sutra chanting and incense offering led by Rev. Yushi Mukojima. Attendees will then have the rare chance to “ring out the old, ring in the new” by striking the huge Bonsho bell, a gift to San Diego by Sister City Yokohama, Japan. The bell is rung 108 times to symbolize purging of the previous year’s misdeeds and a new start with the coming year.

Year-End Bell Ringing Ceremony Dates
December 31, 2023

The coincidental view of the fireworks across the bay will highlight the first hour of the New Year. Free and the public welcome. Dress warmly, drive safely!

Information
For more information, call 619/239-0897 or e-mail [email protected].

More Details

Location
Yokohama Friendship Bell, San Diego - Japanese Friendship Bell on Shelter Island (1958)
1401 Shelter Island Dr., San Diego, CA 92106

Find More New Years Festivals

January 1, 10:00 am (at BTSD)
The JOYA-E (Year-end Service) will be held at the Buddhist Temple at 10:00 am New Year’s to all us to contemplate and express gratitude for the past year and mark the beginning of a new one. 

Afterwards, attendees may ring the Temple’s Kansho bell which hangs inside the Hondo hall. Everyone is then invited to enjoy a bowlful of traditional soba (buckwheat noodles) prepared by the Mukojimas to warm the tummy till the Bonsho bell ringing at Shelter Island. All welcome.

SCHEDULE (PLEASE CHECK)

1. Sunday, December 31

   • Morning (11 a.m.): Joya-E at the Temple
     • Description: Short service in the Hondo (main hall), attendees ring the Kansho bell 108 times, paying respects to Amida Buddha.
     • Location: Temple
   • Night (11:30 p.m.): Joya-no-Kane at Yokohama Friendship Bell
     • Description: Ringing the two-ton Bonsho-style bell, preceded by a brief chant and historical discussion.
     • Location: Shelter Island San Diego-Yokohama Friendship Bell

2. Monday, January 1

   • Morning (10 a.m.): Shuso-E at the Temple
     • Description: Short service welcoming the New Year, paying respects to Amida Buddha, and dedicating to the Dharma.
     • Location: Temple