The Namahage Sedo Festival
In the old days, before the Gregorian calendar was adopted in Japan, the Namahage ritual was held according to the Japanese lunar calendar on what was called koshōgatsu (小正月), or “Little New Year,” which always fell on the 14th or 15th day of the first month. In the Gregorian calendar, this corresponds to a time between early February and early March.
As part of the region’s efforts to attract more tourists, a festival was created in 1964 where visitors could encounter the Namahage – the Namahage Sedo Festival (なまはげ柴灯まつり).
Since the Namahage ritual normally took place inside people’s homes, it wasn’t something outsiders could witness. But thanks to the festival, it became possible for more visitors to experience the Namahage up close.
The festival is held every year on the second weekend of February at Shinzan Shrine, located right next to the Namahage Museum. The festival takes place on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
Shinzan Shrine is tucked away among towering cedar trees on the slopes of Mount Shinzan, making it the perfect setting for a winter festival in the snow and darkness.
At the festival, you can see a reenactment of a Namahage visit, a large group of Namahage descending from the mountain with torches, Namahage playing powerful Japanese taiko drums, and, before the festival ends, Namahage from villages all across Oga suddenly appearing. This final event is a fantastic opportunity to see the different masks and personalities of each Namahage, especially because they mingle with the audience (so hold on to your children!).
Since the Namahage Sedo Festival takes place at a shrine with limited space, only 2,000 people can enter per day. It is therefore necessary to book a ticket in advance. This can be done on the festival’s official website. Tickets usually go on sale around November, but they rarely sell out (the leader of the Danish Namahage Association once managed to buy a ticket three weeks before the festival).
All information about the festival can be found on the official website, which is updated regularly as the festival approaches.
The dates for the 2026 festival are February 13–14–15!
Learn more about Namahage
The Ritual
The Namahage ritual varies from village to village. Just as each place has its …
Theories
The oldest written source about the Namahage appears in the travelogue “Oga’s Cold Winds”, published by …
The Folktale
On New Year’s Eve on the Oga Peninsula, young men head to the shrines and into the mountains, where they …
The Costume
Each area of the Oga Peninsula has its own version of the Namahage. Whether it’s a neighborhood in the …
The Festival
In the old days, before the Gregorian calendar was adopted in Japan, the Namahage ritual was …
Namahage Taiko
In connection with the tourism industry, a unique form of performance has developed on Oga …
Tourism
In Akita, from the moment you step off the train at the main station or exit the plane at the airport, you are greeted by …
Gallery
Below, you’ll find a selection of videos showing the Namahage ritual as it is performed every year on …