Oga Shinzan Folklore Museum・Namahage Museum

”Oga no Namahage" is a traditional event of the Oga Peninsula, designated as a nationally important intangible folk cultural property and registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. On the evening of New Year's Eve, people say, "Any lazy people out there? Any crybaby out there?" and walk from house to house to warn people of their misdeeds. Namahage, with its behavior and frightening appearance, looks like an incarnation of a demon, but it is a visiting deity that exercises terrible luck and brings good harvests, bountiful catches, and good fortune.

At the Oga Shinzan Folklore Museum, housed in a typical Magariya Minka (traditional Japanese house) on the Oga Peninsula, visitors can experience a powerful Namahage performance right before their eyes, following old traditions. The sequence of events will make you realize that Namahage is not just rampaging around but has a sophisticated manner of questioning and bargaining with the patriarch of the family. Even knowing this. However, the experience is still frightening, so be prepared for it.

The Namahage Museum next door displays masks and costumes from around the Oga Peninsula, as well as a video of Namahage.