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The Namahage Sedo Festival is an annual event held in Oga, a city in Akita Prefecture. Read on to learn the highlights of this unique tradition, event information, and how to access the venue.
The Namahage Sedo Festival is a traditional festival held annually in February in Oga City, Akita Prefecture.
This event combines Saito-sai, a Shinto ritual with over 900 years of history, and Namahage, the folk belief in ogre-like deities who appear on New Year's Eve in the Oga Peninsula of northern Japan.
The Namahage are benevolent spirits who are said to bring good luck and ward off evil. Oga citizens costume themselves as Namahage during the festival.
Read on to discover the event highlights and how to access the venue.
The following are three key attractions of the Namahage Sedo Festival in 2025.
Picture courtesy of photoAC
Namahage Descending represents the climax of the festival, where the Namahage emerge from the darkness carrying torches and parade around the grounds of Shinzan Shrine. The grand and enchanting sight will captivate the spectators.
Kenpei is a ritual in which the Namahage offer rice cakes to the enshrined deities, praying for peace and a bountiful harvest.
If you have the opportunity to visit, be sure not to miss these events.
Picture courtesy of PR Times
In this festival, the Namahage deliver a powerful performance of Japanese drumming.
This tradition began in the 1970s when local residents at Oga Onsen Resort sought to create a new event that combined Namahage and Japanese drums. After a brief hiatus, the locals established the Oga Onsen Namahage Daiko Denshoh-kai in the 1980s, and with the support of experts, the event has evolved into its current form.
The sight of the Namahage performing in the cold weather is truly impressive. The sound resonates through the snowy landscape, captivating the audience and making them forget about the chilly air.
Picture courtesy of PR Times
The dance was created by contemporary dancer Baku Ishii, who hails from Akita Prefecture, along with his son, composer Kan Ishii. It has become popular and is performed at many local gatherings.
At the festival, local residents of all ages join in the dance, creating a festive atmosphere with the audience.
While this event is especially popular among families, it can also be enjoyed by adults, so be sure not to miss it.
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Namahage Sedo Festival 2025 |
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February 7 - 9, 2025 |
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17:00 - 20:30 |
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1,000 yen |
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Near Shinzan Shrine (Located at Kitaura-Shinzan in Oga City) |
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https://oganavi.com/sedo/en/ |
The schedule may change due to weather conditions or crowd levels, so be sure to check the official site for the latest information.
First-time visitors should also confirm the festival dates and allow themselves plenty of time to reach the venue.
The Namahage Sedo Festival is accessible by public transport or car.
For those traveling by train, Oga Station (JR Oga Line) is the nearest station. During the festival, there will be extra buses running from Oga Station and Oga Onsen Resort to the venue. The fare is 1,000 yen per person, valid for one day, allowing visitors to ride the bus as many times as they wish.
Drivers should head to the Namahage-kan, located at Kitaura-Shinzan in Oga City. While there are several temporary parking lots around the venue, please keep in mind that the area will be very crowded, so it may be wiser to use public transport.
Below is a list of the available parking lots.
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About 150 cars/Large-sized bus |
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About 80 cars |
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About 30 cars. It is a 10-minute walk (700 meters) to the venue. |
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About 200 cars. There will be a free shuttle bus service to the venue, at 20-minute intervals. |
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About 150 cars. There will be a free shuttle bus service to the venue, at 30-minute intervals. |
The Namahage Sedo Festival is a blend of Namahage, a mythical figure, and local beliefs. It originated several hundred years ago as an event to pray for a bountiful harvest and the safety of the residents.
The Namahage Sedo Festival features various events, including the performance known as Namahage Descending, as well as traditional Japanese drum and dance performances. Food stalls serving local dishes will also be available. The festival is designed for both locals and tourists to enjoy.
The purpose of the Namahage Sedo Festival is to preserve local culture and showcase its charm to tourists. Additionally, it aims to pray for the area's safety by offering rice cakes to the deities.
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