December 31 is Oo-misoka (New Year's Eve).
O-sechi-ryori (or New Year's feast) is prepared, and oo-soji (or major housecleaning) is done in all households.
People get ready for the New Year.
It is a very busy day.

In the evening, people eat toshi-koshi-soba (or year-end buckwheat noodles).
Soba symbolizes longevity and thus considered fit for the occasion.
They listen to joya-no-kane (or year-end tolling bells).
Listening to the bells strike 108 times, they welcome the New Year.