With his daughter counting down to midnight, Ven. Kenjo Igarashi gets ready to strike the Sacramento Nichiren Church bell. The bell was struck 108 times as fireworks went off around the neighborhood. Each person attending the service took turns striking the bell.

The bell ringing followed the New Year’s Eve service, and between the New Year’s Eve service and the bell ringing was a meal of buckwheat noodles and tempura.

With the outside temperature in the low 30s, everyone was happy to retreat back into the church after the bell ringing for the New Year’s Day service.

A New Year’s saki toast capped the evening’s activities.