People in a community in Niigata Prefecture, central Japan, braved the cold on Tuesday night to join in a New Year ritual meant to bring good fortune and health.

The traditional event in the Yasuda District of Agano City takes place every year on the night of January 14. Participants run from one Shinto shrine to another, offering prayers for the new year while carrying torches and shouting energetically.

This year, about 40 participants, some shirtless and others in judo uniforms, gathered at Sumiyoshi Shrine and splashed water on each other using buckets.

They then ran toward Yasuda Hachimangu Shrine, shouting vigorously as local residents cheered them on by throwing water.

At the destination shrine, the participants jostled together to keep warm before jumping into a pool of cold water set up under the main gateway to purify themselves. The scene drew loud cheers from onlookers.

Afterward, the participants walked up to the shrine and prayed for the safety and health of their families in the year ahead.

A junior high school student who took part in the event said that it was cold, but the jostling warmed him up.

Another junior high school student who watched said he was impressed by the energy of the event. He added that seeing his friend participate and enjoy it made him want to take part next year.