Last Updated on 2026-03-01 by Tsubaki
When people think of Akita’s Namahage (なまはげ｜Namahage), the first image that often comes to mind is a fearsome red or blue demon wearing a terrifying mask and holding a knife, something that seems like a character designed just to scare children during a festival. But when I actually stepped into the Namahage Museum and Shinzan Folklore Museum in Oga City, and listened to the stories behind this tradition, now recognized as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, my impression completely changed.
Namahage is not just some “scare tactic for kids.” It’s a folk ritual filled with reverence, symbolism, and deep cultural meaning passed down through generations. In this article, I’ll share my visit and my personal experience joining the Namahage Lecture Program, which I hope will help you plan your own trip to Akita.
This guide will focus on the Namahage Museum, Shinzan Folklore Museum, and Shinzan Shrine. For more about the origins of Namahage and the thrilling Namahage Taiko drum performances, I’ve covered them in a separate post (Check it out), so feel free to check that out as well.
By the way, these three spots are located just minutes apart by foot, making it perfect to explore them all in one day!
How to Get to the Namahage Museum and Shinzan Folklore Museum
On this trip, my boyfriend and I drove there, and I was relieved to find plenty of parking available, so no worries about finding a spot. But even if you don’t have a car, it’s actually very easy to reach both the Namahage Museum and Shinzan Folklore Museum.
Simply take the JR train to Oga Station or Akita Station, and from there you can transfer to other transport options to reach the Namahage Museum (なまはげ館). The two most common choices are:
・The Namahage Shuttle from Oga Station
・The Akita Airport Liner from Akita Station
Both services require an advance reservation, but the booking process is straightforward. They provide visitor-friendly English-language forms and websites, so it’s not hard to arrange. Here’s a breakdown:
Namahage Shuttle
The Namahage Shuttle is part of Oga’s shared sightseeing taxi service. The route connects Oga Station with popular destinations like Oga Onsen, the Namahage Museum, Oga Aquarium GAO, Nyudozaki, and Unsho-ji Temple. The best part? You can book even if you’re traveling solo, no need to meet a minimum group size. Perfect for independent travelers! Plus, there’s a convenient online booking system in English, so no phone calls or Japanese skills are required.
Fare: Oga Station → Namahage Museum is ¥1,500 one way (≈ $10 USD). Children ride half-price. (Please check the official site for the latest fares.)
Online reservation and timetable available here: [Namahage Shuttle info]
Akita Airport Liner
The Akita Airport Liner is a shared taxi service that connects Akita Airport, central Akita, and major tourist sites. Solo travelers can also reserve it without issue.
Fare: Akita Station → Namahage Museum is ¥6,000 one way (≈ $40 USD). Children half-price.
Since the Airport Liner is considerably more expensive, I would personally recommend taking the JR train to Oga Station, then switching to the Namahage Shuttle. This route is much more cost-effective.
Akita Station → Oga Station (JR Oga Line) costs ¥770 one way (≈ $5 USD). If you have the JR East-South Hokkaido Rail Pass, the ride is included with unlimited travel.
Online reservation and timetable available here: [Akita Airport Liner info]
Recommended: JR East-South Hokkaido Rail Pass
If you’re mainly relying on public transportation, I highly recommend getting the JR East-South Hokkaido Rail Pass (Check it on official website). It costs ¥35,370 (≈ $258 USD) and allows unlimited rides on JR trains across the Tohoku region for six days. It’s perfect if you want to travel deeply through northern Japan.
I used this pass three years ago for a full Tohoku trip, and it was such a cost-saver. With the pass, you can journey from Sendai, Morioka, and Aomori all the way to Akita, then hop off at Akita Station or Oga Station and connect to the Namahage Shuttle or Airport Liner to reach the Namahage Museum and Shinzan Folklore Museum.
Not only will you save a significant amount on train fares, but the flexibility of unlimited rides also makes traveling around Tohoku far smoother.
Visiting the Namahage Museum: Learn, Experience, and Immerse
The Namahage Museum (なまはげ館) is located right next to Shinzan Shrine. From the outside it looks like a simple museum building, but the moment you step inside, you’re greeted by an entire wall of Namahage masks, each with a different expression, color, and design. Just by looking at them, you can sense the cultural variations between different villages.
✔️ 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
Buying Your Ticket
Once inside, you first purchase your admission ticket at the counter. The staff will also inform you of the day’s schedule for the Namahage lecture at the Shinzan Folklore Museum.
We chose the combo ticket, which included both museums and the lecture. The staff kindly reserved our lecture session at the same time.
Watch a Craftsman Carve a Namahage Mask
One of the highlights is the live demonstration corner, where you can watch a master craftsman carve a Namahage mask right in front of you. Each stroke of the chisel brings the mask to life, and it’s a rare chance to see this traditional craft up close.
Do note that the artisan isn’t stationed there every day, so catching the carving in progress depends a bit on luck.
Free Costume Experience & Photo Spot
Another fun feature is the dress-up area where visitors can try on the straw cloak and mask of the Namahage. Both kids and adults can suit up, step into a specially designed photo spot, and snap a memorable picture.
The outfit is a bit heavy, but once you put it on and strike a pose, you instantly transform into a fierce-looking Namahage. It’s a fantastic keepsake and definitely Instagram-worthy, I couldn’t resist trying it myself!
Namahage Film Screening
I highly recommend the documentary screening corner. Here, you’ll not only learn about the historical origins of Namahage, but also watch authentic footage of locals dressing up as Namahage on New Year’s Eve and going door-to-door.
From children crying in fear to adults solemnly conducting the ritual, every scene feels incredibly immersive and powerful, almost as if you were standing there in Akita on New Year’s night.
The film is in Japanese, but English subtitles are provided. You can also scan the official QR code to access translations in other languages, making the museum very welcoming for international visitors.
Namahage Exhibition Hall
This exhibition room showcases over 150 Namahage masks collected from different parts of Oga City. Arranged neatly across the walls and display stands, the masks reveal how each village interprets the Namahage in its own way, through color, expression, and design. The moment you step inside, you feel completely surrounded by Namahage, and the impact is visually overwhelming.
Namahage Gift Shop
At the far end of the museum, you’ll find a small shop filled with Namahage-themed souvenirs. From bright red and blue masks to keychains and local snacks, it’s hard not to want one of everything.
I personally picked up a fridge magnet, a mountain-climbing bell, and a dorayaki sweet packaged in a Namahage design, small but perfect keepsakes of the trip.
Shinzan Folklore Museum Lecture: Witness Namahage in Action!
Right next to the museum is the Shinzan Folklore Museum, which hosts the daily Namahage Lecture (なまはげ習俗学習講座). This was one of the highlights I had been looking forward to the most!
If you only want to attend the lecture, you can simply buy a ticket at the door (cash only). But if you’re also visiting the Namahage Museum, I recommend purchasing the combo ticket (¥1,100 ≈ $7.30) at the museum counter. The staff will conveniently book your lecture session at the same time.
The lecture is held in a recreated traditional farmhouse setting. The audience seats are just steps away from the irori (traditional hearth), making it feel as if you’ve truly stepped into an old rural home, sitting with family by the fire, waiting for the Namahage ritual to unfold.
The first part is an explanation by staff members in Japanese, covering the origins of the Namahage ritual, the symbolism of the characters, and the details of their costumes. There is no live translation, so if you don’t understand Japanese, it may be a little difficult to follow.
Don’t worry though, when you buy your ticket, you’ll receive a small pamphlet that contains the lecture content and the dialogue between the Namahage and the family. While it’s in Japanese, you can easily scan and translate it beforehand while waiting in line. This way you’ll have a good idea of what’s coming before the performance begins.
Also, most of the cultural background and symbolism introduced here is already explained in detail through the exhibits and documentary at the Namahage Museum. That’s why I recommend visiting the museum first, then attending the lecture. Having that background knowledge really deepens your appreciation and makes the experience feel even more authentic.
One last note: photography and video recording are allowed, but flash is strictly prohibited so as not to disturb the performers or other visitors.
The Climax: Namahage “Storms” into the House!
Suddenly, with loud roars and pounding on the door, two Namahage burst into the farmhouse. Children screamed in fright, and even the adults gasped. The performance isn’t long, but the atmosphere feels so real that you can immediately sense the intensity of the ritual.
In the final scene, a village representative comes forward to promise that everyone will work hard and live diligently this year. Only then do the Namahage nod and leave, symbolizing peace and blessings for the new year.
Picking Up the Namahage Straw for Protection
It’s said that if you pick up straw that naturally falls from the Namahage’s cloak during the performance, it will protect you for the entire year. But be careful, never pull it off intentionally, or misfortune may follow you instead.
I decided to believe in the custom and picked up a piece of straw that had fallen to the ground, carefully tucking it into my bag as a charm.
Strangely enough, the very next day, while hiking the Dai-Kuzure trail in Shirakami-Sanchi, we encountered a wild bear! My heart pounded and I broke into a cold sweat, but the bear simply looked at us and quietly walked away. No conflict at all. I couldn’t help but wonder, was it really the straw’s protection at work?
Impressions & Tips
・While the Namahage Museum provides multilingual guides, the Namahage Lecture is in Japanese only. Even if you understand Japanese, some parts can be difficult to follow. That’s why I recommend visiting the museum first and watching the documentary before attending the lecture, it makes the whole experience far more immersive.
・If you’re visiting with children, explain beforehand that this is a traditional performance, or they might be scared. The day I went, quite a few kids clung tightly to their parents, some even crying just from seeing the masks in the museum!
・Lecture sessions are limited, so you’ll need to line up early or secure a reservation when purchasing tickets at the Namahage Museum.
Shinzan Shrine
Since you’re already in the Shinzan area, don’t miss a quick visit to Shinzan Shrine. Nestled in the forest and surrounded by towering cedar trees, the shrine is solemn and serene, and is considered one of the spiritual origins of the Namahage belief.
A fun detail: before entering, look up and you’ll see a giant replica of the Namahage’s knife displayed above the gate! Even the votive plaques (ema) are designed in the shape of Namahage, filled with cultural details.
Every February, the shrine also hosts the grand Shinzan Namahage Sedo Festival, a spectacular event combining sacred Shinto rituals with powerful Namahage performances. It’s one of Oga’s signature winter festivals, and absolutely worth attending if you visit in winter. Just remember to reserve early, as spots are limited.
Check this related content about Shinzan Namahage Sedo Festival info
End Your Visit with Akita’s Famous Baba Hera Ice Cream
No trip to Akita is complete without trying Baba Hera Ice Cream (ババヘラアイス), a local specialty. Elderly women in straw hats scoop and shape the colorful ice cream into delicate rose-like flowers (some say they look like camellias).
Right in front of the Namahage Museum, you’ll find a stand selling them for just ¥300 (≈ $2 USD). It takes a bit of time to make, but watching the ice cream flower slowly form is mesmerizing. On a hot summer day, it’s the perfect refreshment.
Here you can even try a museum-exclusive flavor, a soda and strawberry mix in blue and red, echoing the colors of the Namahage masks. But in the end, my boyfriend and I went with the melon flavor instead!
This visit completely changed my perspective. What I once thought was just a touristy photo-op turned out to be a deeply moving experience. The Namahage ritual is not simply a local festival, it’s a living cultural heritage.
If you’re curious about Japanese folk traditions and regional culture, I highly recommend making the trip to Oga to experience it for yourself.
Wishing you all an unforgettable encounter with the Namahage!
✔️ 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
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Traveler’s Note:
The insights shared above are based on my personal experiences and subjective perspectives. When planning your trip, please consider current weather conditions and your own travel preferences.
Please note that all English articles on this site are AI-assisted translations of the original Traditional Chinese content. While every effort is made to ensure accuracy and natural flow, occasional nuances or expressions may differ. Thank you for your understanding.
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