In Japan, it's customary to burn traditional Shinto new year decorations in January.

A town in Tokushima prefecture lit a huge bonfire today (Monday) -- it's the largest festival in the country.

People here incinerated about 20,000 bamboo poles.

The ritual brings Japan's extended new year events to a close.

As smoke rises into the sky, the god of the new year is said to return to heaven.

Local people prayed for good health and a bumper harvest.