Year-end sweeping begins at historic sites

Year-end cleaning got under way at Japan's historic monuments on Tuesday, in an annual ritual ahead of the New Year.

In Nikko, north of Tokyo, an event took place at Toshogu Shrine, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Shinto priests and maidens dressed in traditional costumes participated in the work.

At Yomeimon Gate, designated as a national treasure, they used long bamboo brooms and dusters to clean about 500 sculptures.

In Kyoto, about 800 Buddhist priests and followers gathered to sweep at Nishi-Honganji temple.

They beat the dust out of nearly 500 tatami mats in one of the temple halls, and used large fans to clear dust from the building.