The Mysterious Peninsula in Akita
Lurking in the reaches of the Oga Peninsula, in the far northeast of Japan’s main island of Honshu, lurks a fearsome presence. Frequently horned, clutching a blade, and with fangs bared, the Namahage are not demons, as you might think, but rather ogres. “Namahage” is a folk ritual performed throughout the Oga Peninsula and surrounding areas. Each New Year’s Eve fierce demons known as Namahage visit each house to frighten misbehaved children. Despite their scary appearance, the Namahage are gods bringing the local people warnings against laziness as well as blessings for the wellbeing of their families and rich harvests from the mountains and the sea for the coming year.
The culture of the Namahage is limited to the remote Oga Peninsula, so the only way to see the real deal is to make the trip to Akita Prefecture. Beyond the imposing presence of these ogres, the whole region is riddled with crafts, cuisine, and culture honed by the farming communities that have long called the area home.
The Namahage Museum introduces visitors to both the traditional and natural history of the region. The exhibition includes a wide variety of 150 masks actually used in the rituals of each town and village along with a video presentation of Oga’s New Year’s Eve Namahage ritual. The nearby Ogashinzan Folklore Museum offers performances of Namahage every day. Both museums are worth a visit to enjoy the unique folk culture of Namahage, officially recognised by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage!
Experience the unique custom of Namahage and you'll find how holy and sacred this area has been. It is a sacred tradition not similar to the Buddhist nor Shinto customs you see in other places in Japan. Oga Peninsula is geographically unique that it is constructed with many volcanoes. You can enjoy our culture, natural view, sea food and some academic thing at the same time.
The culture of the Namahage is limited to the remote Oga Peninsula, so the only way to see the real deal is to make the trip to Akita Prefecture. Beyond the imposing presence of these ogres, the whole region is riddled with crafts, cuisine, and culture honed by the farming communities that have long called the area home.
The Namahage Museum introduces visitors to both the traditional and natural history of the region. The exhibition includes a wide variety of 150 masks actually used in the rituals of each town and village along with a video presentation of Oga’s New Year’s Eve Namahage ritual. The nearby Ogashinzan Folklore Museum offers performances of Namahage every day. Both museums are worth a visit to enjoy the unique folk culture of Namahage, officially recognised by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage!
Experience the unique custom of Namahage and you'll find how holy and sacred this area has been. It is a sacred tradition not similar to the Buddhist nor Shinto customs you see in other places in Japan. Oga Peninsula is geographically unique that it is constructed with many volcanoes. You can enjoy our culture, natural view, sea food and some academic thing at the same time.
