The Namahage Experience in Oga

Strange things happen on the peninsula of Oga during New Year’s Eve. Jutting out into the Japan Sea, this axe shaped peninsula is home to the spooky Namahage deity. Though he may look like a monster, Namahage is actually the area’s symbol of good fortune. During New year’s Eve a few of the locals dress up as Namahage and tear through the town looking to banish it of lazy people, and to share blessings of good fortune. The red mask Namahage represents a male ogre while the blue mask is female.

The Namahage Experience in Oga

Like a strange version of Halloween, the visiting Namahage deities are met by the head of the family in formal dress, who offers them sake and mochi rice cakes. Satisfied with the warm hospitality, the Namahage will then bless the house and go on his or her merry way. The tradition of the Namahage comes from the nationally held the belief that a deity bringing good fortune will make a visit to the village from elsewhere in the New Year. Similar events to this one are found in other regions of Japan, however the story of the Namahage is authentic to Oga.

The Namahage Experience in Oga

An integral symbol of the Oga peninsula, the Namahage experience is a truly authentic folk tradition, that has continued for generations. As the story goes the Namahage are actually gods that were tricked by the locals into fleeing to the mountains. Today however, they make the annual New Year’s Eve pilgrimage back to the town to visit homes threaten to take lazy and naughty children back to the mountains with them, scaring the local children into behaving until their next visit.

The Namahage Experience in Oga

In recognition of this centuries old tradition, the town of Oga have opened a Namahage Museum. Here you can witness a reenactment of a Namahage visit, wander around the museum’s exterior and take stroll up to the Shinzan shrine where the annual Sedo matsuri is held. Inside the museum grounds there are a number of informative exhibits. There’s the Shinpi Hall (Oga Room) which houses a traditional boat carved out of a local tree, the Namahage Seizoroi.

The Namahage Experience in Oga

The Namahage Exhibit, where masks and costumes that represent the 60 former districts of Oga are on display, the Namahage Densho Hall where you can a the short documentary film about the local legend and final the Namahage costume booth where you can dress up as a Namahage deity yourself!

The Namahage Experience in Oga

The Namahage Experience in Oga

The best way to get to Namahage Museum is by taking a car or take a bus from the Funakawa Oga train station which will take about 20 minutes. If you’re travelling by car take the Namahage line and follow the clearly mark signs. There is plenty of parking available. Prices for the museum are 500 yen for adults and 250 yen for children and the museum is open from 8:30 am until 5:00 pm all year round. For an even better deal you can combine tickets for the famous Shinzan Folklore Museum and Namahage Museum, combined tickets cost 800 yen for adults and 500 yen for children (1,000 yen for adults and 700 yen for children from December to March).

Namahage Museum

Akita Pref. Ogashi Kitaurashinzan Mizukuisawa In the ground

0185225050

8:30-17:00

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