Last Updated on 2026-03-01 by Tsubaki
When you think of Akita, what comes to mind first? Maybe Akita dogs, rice, or hot springs. But for Tsubaki, the most unforgettable highlight of a trip to Akita was the Namahage, those straw-clad, fang-masked demons who bang on doors and shout in booming voices. This traditional ritual in Oga City takes place only on New Year’s Eve, and in 2018 it was officially recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage.
During our seven-day Tohoku road trip, my boyfriend and I made a detour to the Oga Peninsula to experience the world of Namahage. We started with the thrilling Gofu Namahage Taiko Drum Performance, then visited the Oga Namahage Museum (Namahagekan) and the Oga Shinzan Folklore Museum. Not only did we explore the exhibitions, but we also joined a hands-on lecture about the Namahage ritual, which gave us a much deeper understanding of this fascinating culture. The whole experience left us in awe of Akita’s “demon traditions,” and that’s why I want to share four must-visit Namahage experiences you shouldn’t miss on your Akita trip!
What Is “Namahage”? The Background of This Intangible Cultural Heritage
Namahage (なまはげ) is a traditional New Year’s Eve ritual in Oga City, Akita Prefecture, and has been inscribed as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. On December 31, unmarried young men from the village disguise themselves as Namahage, donning straw coats and demon masks. They go door to door shouting, “Are there any lazy people here? Any children misbehaving?”
The Namahage are seen as messengers of the mountain gods. Their frightening appearance and loud voices are not meant to harm but to scare children and adults alike into working hard, studying diligently, and living earnestly. They also symbolize driving away evil spirits, ensuring safety, and praying for good harvests. While today it is often presented as a festival event, in Oga’s mountain villages the tradition is still carried out with solemn respect.
After visiting the three main sites I’ll introduce below, my boyfriend and I couldn’t help but laugh, saying, “If I were a local kid, I’d probably be traumatized after such an ‘initiation.’” But jokes aside, this tradition is truly unique and precious, well worth experiencing firsthand!
Where Can You Experience Namahage Culture in Akita?
Since the ritual only happens in Oga on New Year’s Eve, it’s not easy to witness it live. To make the culture more accessible, the city has established museums and performance venues where visitors can learn about and even participate in the tradition.
At the Oga Onsen Exchange Hall “Gofu”, you can also watch the powerful combination of Namahage and taiko drumming. The thunderous drums and fierce shouts create an electrifying atmosphere, making you feel as if you’ve stepped right into the real New Year’s Eve ritual. Whether you prefer learning through exhibits, joining interactive experiences, or immersing yourself in the taiko performance, these activities are must-dos for any Akita itinerary.
Here are four places in Oga City where you can dive into Namahage culture:
Oga Namahage Museum (なまはげ館)
Located right next to Shinzan Shrine, the Oga Namahage Museum (Namahagekan) is the best place to start your journey.
Inside, you’ll find an entire wall lined with over a hundred Namahage masks, each one with a different expression, from terrifying to comical, as if telling its own story.
The museum also features displays on the history of the ritual, a free try-on corner where you can wear Namahage costumes and props, and even recorded footage of the actual New Year’s Eve visits, giving you the sense of being right there during the real event.
✔️ Oga Namahage Museum（なまはげ館）
Address: Mizukuisawa Kitaurashinzan, Oga, Akita 010-0685 (Google Maps)
Google Map Code: WQH8+PM Oga, Akita
Access:
・From Oga Station, take the Namahage Shuttle Bus (reservations possible even for one person) directly to the Namahage museum
・From Akita Station, take the Akita Airport Liner to the Namahage museum
・Recommended: Use the JR East-South Hokkaido Rail Pass, which covers unlimited rides for 6 days and can get you as far as Oga or Akita Station before switching to local transport
Opening hours: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM (open year-round)
Admission: ¥660 (approx. $4.40)
Combo Ticket: Namahage Museum + Oga Shinzan Folklore Museum + Namahage Ritual Lecture ¥1,100 (approx. $7.30)
Payment: Cash, credit card, or electronic payment accepted
Other info: Official website
Oga Shinzan Folklore Museum
Right next to the Namahage Museum is the Oga Shinzan Folklore Museum, where you can join the immersive Namahage Ritual Learning Program (なまはげ習俗学習講座).
The lecture takes place inside a traditional Japanese farmhouse. It begins with a local guide explaining the origins of the ritual. Suddenly, the sound of loud banging and deep growls echoes from outside. Namahage storm into the room, glaring at you, pounding the floor, and interrogating the audience. The atmosphere is so intense that your heart races. At the end, the they leave peacefully, symbolically carrying away misfortune.
✔️ Oga Shinzan Folklore Museum（男鹿真山伝承館）
Address: Mizukuisawa-48 北浦 Oga, Akita 010-0685 (Google Maps)
Google Map Code: WQH8+FM Oga, Akita
Access:
・From Oga Station, take the Namahage Shuttle Bus (reservations possible even for one person) directly to the Namahage museum
・From Akita Station, take the Akita Airport Liner to the Namahage museum
・Recommended: Use the JR East-South Hokkaido Rail Pass, which covers unlimited rides for 6 days and can get you as far as Oga or Akita Station before switching to local transport
Program schedule: Times vary by month, check the official website for updates
Lecture fee: ¥770 (approx. $5.10)
Combo ticket: Namahage Museum + Shinzan Folklore Museum + Namahage Ritual Learning Program ¥1,100 (approx. $7.30)
Payment: Cash or PayPay
Other info: Official website
・Reservations can also be made by phone, but note that slots may fill up quickly, so it’s best to check the official website’s calendar in advance.
Shinzan Shrine’s Namahage Sedo Festival
One of the most iconic winter festivals of the Oga Peninsula, the Namahage Sedo Festival blends the sacred Shinto fire ritual Saitousai (柴燈祭) with the folk tradition of Namahage.
Held annually on the second Friday through Sunday of February, the festival takes place within the grounds of Shinzan Shrine.
That evening, a massive bonfire is lit, illuminating the entire shrine grounds with an awe-inspiring glow. The festival features Namahage dancing wildly, dramatic taiko performances, and the most popular event of all, “Namahage Descending from the Mountain”, symbolizing the gods coming down to bless the people. For details, check the official website.
✔️ Shinzan Shrine (真山神社)
Address: Mizukuisawa-97 Kitaurashinzan, Oga, Akita 010-0685 (Google Maps)
Google Map Code: WQG8+VP Oga, Akita
Access:
・From Oga Station, take the Namahage Shuttle Bus (reservations possible even for one person) directly to the Namahage museum
・From Akita Station, take the Akita Airport Liner to the Namahage museum
・Recommended: Use the JR East-South Hokkaido Rail Pass, which covers unlimited rides for 6 days and can get you as far as Oga or Akita Station before switching to local transport
Festival dates: Annually, the second Friday to Sunday of February
Participation: Advance application required, limited to 2,000 people per day
Admission (support contribution): ¥1,000 (approx. $6.60)
Other info: Official website
Namahage Taiko Performance at Oga Onsen Koryukan “Gofu”
This performance is run by a local community group. It began as small, occasional street shows, but thanks to growing popularity it has now become a daily performance at the Oga Onsen Koryukan Gofu (男鹿温泉交流会館「五風」).
Though the members each have their own jobs and families, they continue to train and perform with passion, determined to pass this culture on to future generations. The group has even been invited to perform abroad, showcasing the power of Namahage to audiences around the world. With tickets priced at only ¥700 (approx. $4.60), the performance is not only breathtaking but also culturally invaluable, well worth attending.
✔️ Oga Onsen Koryukan Gofu (男鹿温泉交流会館「五風」)
Address: Kusakihara-21-2 Kitaurayumoto, Oga, Akita 010-0687 (Google Maps)
Google Map Code: XPFR+9X Oga, Akita
Access:
・From Oga Station, take the Namahage Shuttle Bus (reservations possible even for one person) directly to the the Oga Onsen
・From Akita Station, take the Akita Airport Liner to the Oga Onsen
・Recommended: Use the JR East-South Hokkaido Rail Pass, which covers unlimited rides for 6 days and can get you as far as Oga or Akita Station before switching to local transport
Showtime: Doors open at 8:00 PM, performance starts at 8:30 PM and lasts about 30 minutes. Check the performance dates on official website.
Admission: ¥700 (approx. $4.60)
Payment: Cash only; no reservations accepted, so tickets must be purchased on-site (first come, first served)
Other info: Official website
This article introduced four places where you can truly immerse yourself in Namahage culture: Shinzan Shrine, the Oga Namahage Museum, the Oga Shinzan Folklore Museum, and the Namahage Taiko Performance at Gofu.
If you ever find yourself in Akita, these experiences are absolutely worth adding to your itinerary. They allow you to step into the world of this UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, not only witnessing its power and energy but also feeling its warmth and cultural depth.
I hope your own journey into the Namahage tradition will be as unforgettable as mine!
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