Tokyo Shrine Hosts Annual Cold-Water Ritual for New Year Purification

TOKYO (AP) — Dozens of participants braved icy waters Saturday at Tokyo‘s Kanda Myojin Shrine, part of an annual ritual to purify the soul and pray for good health in the new year. The event, held Jan. 18, 2025, drew mostly men clad in white loincloths and women in white robes, who immersed themselves in a pool chilled with ice blocks.

About 40 participants jogged around the shrine and performed physical exercises to warm up before entering the knee-deep water. Taking turns, each person ducked into the pool and poured water over their heads using wooden buckets, shouting “Ei!” to energize themselves as onlookers cheered.

“Purification is key to Shinto rituals to keep away evil spirits,” said a shrine official. “Participants also pray for traffic safety, business success, exam results, and safe childbirth.”

Shinto, Japan’s indigenous religion, emphasizes animism and the belief in sacred spirits residing in living things and nature. The cold-water endurance ritual, known as “kanmuri,” is a centuries-old tradition that symbolizes resilience and spiritual cleansing.

Spectators gathered to watch the event, which included a Shinto priest offering prayers before the ritual began. The shrine, located in downtown Tokyo, is a popular site for such ceremonies, drawing both locals and tourists.

“It’s a powerful experience,” said one participant, shivering after emerging from the pool. “It reminds us to start the year with a clean slate and renewed energy.”