Japan holds centuries old laughing ceremony

HOFU, Yama. (NBC) - People are laughing the year away at a shrine in western Japan.

The traditional ceremony, held at the Omata Hachimangu Shrine, has continued for about 820 years.

All things considered, about 20 local farmers took turns in pairs and laughed three times on Sunday.

The first was to express thanks for this year's crops.

The second was to pray for good harvests next year.

And finally, the third laugh was to forget the suffering they experienced in 2022.

In the finale, all participants laughed together with all their might.