The rugged Oga Peninsula is the home of the Namahage — fearsome demon-masked figures who visit homes on New Year’s Eve to drive out laziness and evil, a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. The Namahage Museum and Oga Shinzan Denshokan stage year-round demonstrations, and the February Sedo Festival combines the demons with Shinto fire rituals in deep snow.
🗓️ At a Glance
| Location | Oga, Akita |
| Hours | Museums ~8:30–17:00 |
| Admission | Museum ~¥600–800 |
| Time needed | 1.5–2 hours |
| Best time | Year-round; Sedo Festival mid-Feb |
What to See
- Live Namahage demonstrations at the folk museums.
- Displays of dozens of regional Namahage masks.
- The Namahage Sedo Festival (mid-February) fire ritual.
- Try a Namahage mask-painting workshop.
Combine Your Visit
- Drive the Oga volcanic coastline and Cape Nyudozaki.
- Visit Oga Aquarium GAO on the cliffs.
- Taste Shottsuru fish-sauce hot pot .
Getting There
- By train + bus: JR Oga Line to Oga, then bus to Shinzan.
- By car: ~1 hr from Akita City; parking at the museums.
Tips
The year-round museum demonstrations are the easiest way to meet the Namahage. For the real ritual atmosphere, come for the February Sedo Festival — but dress for deep snow.
