Japanese New Year’s Ice Bath at Kanda Myojin Shrine

Participants dressed only in loincloths and flimsy underwear pray before pouring buckets of freezing cold water over themselves during a traditional New Year ice bath ceremony.

Japanese New Year Ice Bath

The ceremony took place at Kanda Myojin Shrine on January 9, 2016, in Tokyo, Japan.

Japanese New Year Ice Bath

This year 36 hardy participants braved the ice bath ritual; a traditional ceremony said to purify the soul and to bring good luck. (All photos by Rodrigo Reyes Marin/AFLO)

Japanese New Year Ice Bath

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