11:00a.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Kabukicho Cine City Square
Their powerful, thrilling Namahage performance energizes the event and offers a unique cultural experience.
Her recorded voice has been used for English announcements on trains nationwide. As a voice actor, ring announcer, sports commentator, singer, and member of the comedy duo High Calories, she is active in a variety of fields.
Two 45-minute sessions from 12:15 p.m. and 2:15 p.m. / Free of charge / 6 participants per session (12 in total)
We accept reservations via Peatix on a first-come, first-served basis. Please apply via Peatix.
・12:15 p.m.～ URL:https://oga-namahage.peatix.com
・2:15 p.m.～ URL:https://oga-namahage2.peatix.com
Please be at the Namahage Craft Workshop Booth in the venue at least five minutes before your session begins.
*You can only apply for one of the sessions (12:15 p.m. or 2:15 p.m.).
*Infants under three cannot participate due to safety reasons.
*Children aged six and under must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
*Each person can make one piece.
*Applications are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. The number of participants is limited, so please apply early if you are interested.
*The application deadline is 6 p.m. on Friday, December 12. (Applications will close once all places have been filled.)
*For cancellations, please refer to Peatix.
We are giving away an Oga’s Namahage original hand towel or Oga’s Namahage original sticker to 500 people!
【Lucky draw schedule】
First draw: Starts 12:20 p.m. / Second draw: Starts 2:20 p.m
【Please Note】
– We are giving away a hand towel or sticker to 500 people in total (250 per draw).
– Each draw will end when supplies run out. We recommend arriving early before they run out.
– The prizes cannot be exchanged.
– Each person can only enter the draw once.
– The prizes are subject to change without notice.
– The draw schedule is subject to change. Please visit our website or the satonoka PROJECT official Instagram page (@satonokapj) for more details.
What is the Namahage ritual of Oga?
“Oga no Namahage” On New Year’s Eve, men from each village dressed as Namahage visit homes in the district while shouting out whether there are any crying babies or misbehaving children. For the people of Oga, the Namahage are deities who visit at the end of the year to admonish laziness, and bear tidings of good health, good harvests, and products from the mountains and oceans.
Namahage Museum
Boasts an amazing collection of over 150 Namahage masks of various designs that were actually used in Oga. The Namahage Densho Hall presents the Namahage rituals and customs that continue to this day in Oga, along with the spirit of those who preserve the tradition. In the hall, visitors can watch “An evening with the Namahage ,” a short documentary film about the Namahage ritual of Oga that takes place on New Year’s Eve. Another feature is the demonstration of Namahage mask hand-carving by Senshu Ishikawa, who is currently the world’s only Namahage mask sculptor.
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Namahage Sedo Festival
The Namahage Sedo Festival is a tourist event that combines the Saito Festival, a Shinto ritual that takes place on January 3 each year at Shinzan Shrine in Kitaura, Oga, with the traditional Namahage ritual of Oga. It is one of the major winter festivals of the Oga Peninsula. The festival features various events that offer visitors a majestic and otherworldly experience, such as the lighting of a Sedo bonfire in the grounds of Shinzan Shrine, reenactments of the traditional Namahage ritual of Oga that takes place on New Year’s Eve, Namahage-Daiko drumming, and Namahage Descending from the Mountain.
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Namahage-Daiko
Namahage-Daiko is a new type of local folk entertainment unique to Oga that combines Oga’s Namahage with traditional Japanese taiko drumming. Oga Hot Spring Village is the only place in the world where regular Namahage-Daiko drumming shows are held. It is so impressive that people say it is worth visiting Oga just to watch the Namahage-Daiko drumming show. Watch the show up close in Shinjuku Kabukicho for a one-of-a-kind experience of emotion and excitement.
Performer: Onga
A taiko drum group formed by local youths. Based in Oga Hot Spring Village, each group member is active in community activities alongside their respective jobs to revitalize their hometown, Oga. They perform original pieces themed around the culture and legends of the Oga Peninsula, expressing a unique worldview through a fusion of the Namahage’s power and Japanese taiko drumming.
- Michi-no-Eki Oga “Ogare” Ogare boasts an array of freshly caught seafood and locally grown vegetables. It also offers a variety of souvenirs, such as Namahage merchandise and processed food made from local ingredients.
- Michi-no-Eki Oga “Ogare”
- Ishiyaki (local cuisine) Ishiyaki is made by putting fresh seafood, seaweed, and other ingredients in a cedar pail and then dropping a red-hot stone in it. Ishiyaki is a local specialty inspired by the spirit of hospitality passed down by the people of Oga. Guests can enjoy witnessing a dynamic cooking technique that uses a red-hot stone to rapidly boil the ingredients.
- Oganavi
- Mt. Kanpuzan Listed as one of the 100 Grassland Villages to be Preserved for the Future. A low mountain at 355 meters above sea level, covered with green grassland. The rotating observatory at the top offers a panoramic view of not only the Oga Peninsula but also the mountains beyond.
- Oganavi
- Nyudozaki Lighthouse A cape situated in the northwestern tip of the Oga Peninsula, at latitude 40°N. The cape offers a magnificent view of the Sea of Japan, and is also a popular sunset spot listed in the Japan Sunset Best 100. The lighthouse is adorned with distinctive stripes and is one of only 16 lighthouses in Japan that tourists can climb.
- Oganavi
- Oga Aquarium GAO Among its main attractions is the large water tank inspired by Oga’s ocean. You can see sandfish, one of the iconic symbols of Akita, as well as seals, penguins, and other sea creatures. In particular, “Gota” the polar bear is a favorite among children.
- Oga Aquarium GAO
- Hydrangea of Unshoji Temple Listed in the “Must see views 2017 of Japan.” Over 1500 hydrangeas, which originate from just one plant, turn the garden into a blue carpet during full blossom season.
- Oganavi
- Oga Peninsula cycling routes You can choose from among a variety of cycling routes that take you to Nyudozaki, Godzilla Rock, and other stunning locations and unique rock formations along the Sea of Japan. The routes also let you enjoy Namahage culture and hot springs, while some feature undulating sections for a challenging ride. Beginners can enjoy the breathtaking scenery in comfort on an e-bike.
- Oganavi
- Godzilla Rock A rock resembling the monster Godzilla that is situated in a rocky area known as Shiosezaki. It looks like Godzilla is roaring at the sea when the sun sets behind the rock.
- Oganavi
- Unosaki Beach A shoaling beach chosen as one of the 100 best beaches in Japan, otherwise known as “Akita’s Uyuni Salt Lake.” Enjoy a magical view where the sea and sky come together.
- Oganavi
- Namahage Museum / Oga Shinzan Folklore Museum The Namahage Museum offers you the chance to learn about Nahamage. A key highlight is its collection of roughly 150 striking Namahage from various regions.
The Oga Shinzan Folklore Museum is a cultural experience facility where you can enjoy exciting Namahage ritual performances up close. - Oganavi (Namahage Museum)
Oganavi (Oga Shinzan Folklore Museum)
- Mt. Kanpu Paragliding School Mt. Kanpu is one of Tohoku’s most famous paragliding spots. You can enjoy a safe paragliding experience over this unique terrain with grassy slopes, surrounded by the sea on three sides. Whether you choose the tandem course for beginners or the solo trial course, you are sure to fully enjoy Oga’s breathtaking landscape from above.
- Oganavi
- Oga Golf Club Located on the hillsides of Mt. Kanpu in a quasi-national park, Oga Golf Club features an 18-hole course that offers a spectacular view of Oga’s sea and the Shirakami Mountains. Enjoy a luxurious play experience in a nature-rich environment, tackling a variety of holes including pond and valley crossings.
- Oganavi
Transport information
Traveling to Akita/Oga by train or Shinkansen Akita Shinkansen Komachi
Tokyo – Akita 15 round trips/day Approx. 3 hours 40 minutes to 4 hours
Sendai – Akita 15 round trips/day Approx. 2 hours 10 minutes to 2 hours 50 minutes
*The times vary depending on the train.
Akita – Oga (JR Oga Line)
Akita – Oga 15 round trips/day Approx. 1 hour
Flying to Akita/Oga Akita Airport
Tokyo (Haneda) JAL/ANA 9 flights/day (regular schedule) 65 minutes
Sapporo (New Chitose) ANA 2 flights/day (regular schedule) 55 minutes
Sapporo (Okadama) JAL 2 flights/day (regular schedule) 65 minutes
Osaka (Itami) JAL/ANA 6 flights/day (regular schedule) 80 minutes
Nagoya (Chubu Centrair) ANA 2 flights/day (regular schedule) 85 minutes
*About one hour from Akita Airport to Oga City by car.
Odate-Noshiro Airport
Tokyo (Haneda) ANA 3 flights/day (regular schedule) Approx. 70 minutes
