JAPAN: Japanese release thousands of balloons as part of celebrations to ring in the new year

Record ID: 466004

  • Title: JAPAN: Japanese release thousands of balloons as part of celebrations to ring in the new year
  • Date: 1st January 2012
  • Summary: TOKYO, JAPAN (DECEMBER 31, 2011 - JANUARY 1, 2012) (REUTERS) BALLOONS BEING RELEASED AT ZOJOJI TEMPLE TO CELEBRATE 2012 VARIOUS OF BALLOONS BEING RELEASED IN FRONT OF 2012 COUNTDOWN TIMER PEOPLE WATCHING COUNTDOWN MORE OF BALLOONS BEING RELEASED TOKYO TOWER WITH LIGHTED NUMBERS SHOWING "2012"
  • Embargoed: 16th January 2012 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Japan, Japan
  • Country: Japan
  • Topics: Quirky,Religion,Light / Amusing / Unusual / Quirky
  • Reuters ID: LVACB132JXOJB0VUJRPWRPWFNEIO
  • Story Text: Thousands of Japanese flocked to a temple in Tokyo to celebrate the start of the New Year by releasing thousands of balloons and ringing in 2012 to the gongs of the massive temple bell.
    The historic Bhuddist Zojoji (pronounced "zoh-joe-jee") temple saw thousands turn out to release balloons and celebrate the end of 2011on Saturday (December 31) and the start of 2012 on Sunday (January 1).
    In keeping with Bhuddist tradition, the 15-ton temple bell was rung 108 times to bring in the New Year.
    As is often the case, many visitors looked to the new year to accomplish those goals they were unable to accomplish in the year that's ending.
    "I'll be 28-years-old this time around and this is true about both my work life and my private life, but there's a lot of goals that I'd like to go back and accomplish at some point that I haven't been able to yet," said 27 year-old Takuya Ooi.
    For others, 2011 was a complex year which saw a wide range of ups and downs. While many had personal success, the country was struck by one of its worst disasters in its history.
    Japan's northeast coast was struck by a magnitude nine earthquake, the strongest quake on record in Japan, and a massive tsunami, which triggered the world's worst nuclear crisis since Chernobyl 25 years ago.
    "It was scary but there was also fun parts to the year. So I hope next year will be fun as well," said 40 year-old visitor Shiharu Takano.
    The disaster in Fukushima left up to 23,000 dead or missing.
    On the other side of Zojoji Temple, Buddhist monks followed their traditional ritual of sending off the old year and bringing in the new one by burning decorations they used at the temple during the past year.
    Millions are expected to flock to temples and shrines like Zojoji for celebrations throughout the new year holiday, which is due to end on January 3.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2012. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
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