At about 5 a.m. on December 13, thorough cleaning began at Naritasan Shinshoji Temple in Narita, Chiba Prefecture.

This yearly ritual involves removing dust that has accumulated over the year.

Priests and staff carefully cleaned and polished Buddhist statues using brushes and cloths.

Holding broomsticks, they lined up in the roughly 300-tatami main hall and swept the dust away.

They also cleaned the ceiling and eaves using bamboo poles about 10 meters long.

The annual cleaning takes place before sunrise, when there are no visitors.

With the year’s dust cleared away, preparations are underway at Naritasan Shinshoji Temple to welcome the New Year.