Japan dives into New Year with prayers and an icy plunge

By Laura Sharman, Junko Ogura, CNN (CNN) — Dozens of worshipers took a deep breath and a brave plunge into icy waters at a Tokyo shrine Sunday, keeping afloat a New Year tradition to purify the soul and pray for good health. The cold endurance event, known as “Kanchu Misogi,” drew around 100 participants –