The whole celebration lasts five to six days, including the last few days of December and a few days following New Year's Day. Offices are generally closed during this period, and people rest and spend time with family and friends. Before the New Year, people make every effort to buy necessities for the coming holidays since many stores are closed during this period. The ringing of the bells at the Buddhist temples shortly before midnight is a traditional event on New Year's Eve. The bells ring 108 times to represent the number of hardships and sorrows that happened in the year.
People count the bells as the old year passes and the New Year arrives.