Hello! This is Masuo.

When one thinks of the Oga Peninsula, the traditional Japanese cultural icon “Namahage” comes to mind.​

Recently, I visited three significant sites in Akita Prefecture’s Oga City: the “Namahage Museum,” the “Oga Shinzan Folklore Museum,” and “Shinzan Shrine.”​

Namahage Museum

Our first stop was the “Namahage Museum,” where visitors can delve deep into the traditional Namahage customs of the Oga region.​

• Access: Approximately a 40-minute drive from Oga Station​
• Admission Fee: Adults ¥660 / Elementary to High School Students ¥330​
• Operating Hours: 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM (Open year-round)​

Inside, the museum showcases numerous Namahage exhibits.​

Highlights:

• Namahage Transformation Corner: Visitors can don masks and props to transform into Namahage for memorable photos.​

• Namahage Assembly Corner: This section displays approximately 150 Namahage masks, each reflecting the unique characteristics of different localities.​

Additionally, the museum offers various exhibits, video screenings, live demonstrations of mask-making (depending on timing), and a gift shop stocked with Namahage souvenirs. We spent about 30 minutes exploring the museum.​

Oga Shinzan Folklore Museum

Next to the Namahage Museum is the “Oga Shinzan Folklore Museum,” where visitors can experience a reenactment of the traditional Namahage visit through an educational program.​

Namahage Folk Custom Learning Session

• Session Times:
  • Morning: 9:30 AM, 10:30 AM, 11:30 AM​
  • Afternoon: 1:30 PM, 2:30 PM, 3:30 PM​
  Each session lasts about 20 minutes.​
• Admission Fee: Adults ¥770 / Elementary to High School Students ¥660​ Note: A combined ticket for both the Namahage Museum and the Oga Shinzan Folklore Museum is available at a discounted rate.

During the session, participants sit inside a traditional farmhouse as Namahage figures burst in with the iconic shout, “Are there any naughty children?” Initially, the atmosphere is tense, but it’s enlightening to learn that this ritual is meant to pray for the family’s health and a bountiful harvest, symbolizing Namahage as divine messengers rather than fearsome beings. This immersive experience felt like stepping into a folktale.​

While thrilling, the intensity might be a bit much for younger children.​

Shinzan Shrine

After the folklore museum, we visited “Shinzan Shrine,” located about a 2-minute drive or a 5-minute walk from the Namahage Museum. This historic shrine is deeply connected to the Namahage tradition.​

Nestled within a serene forest, the shrine exudes a sacred ambiance. Visitors can find ema (wooden prayer plaques) and goshuincho (stamp books) adorned with Namahage motifs. Authentic Namahage masks from the Shinzan area are also on display, allowing guests to touch and appreciate them up close.

I was particularly charmed by the Namahage-embroidered amulets—a unique and delightful keepsake. Drawing a fortune (omikuji) yielded positive insights, adding joy to the visit. Incidentally, this was my first shrine visit of the year.​

Conclusion

This itinerary offers a comprehensive Namahage experience: learning about the culture, engaging in an immersive reenactment, and concluding with a shrine visit. Since the facilities are adjacent to each other, aligning your visit with the folklore museum’s session times allows for an efficient tour, typically around 1.5 hours.​

If you’re planning a trip to the Oga Peninsula, I highly recommend this route to fully immerse yourself in this unique aspect of Japanese tradition.​