Namahage Museum — Attraction in Oga

Really great museum in a great area. It's cheap to get in and there are extensive exhibits that are well explained in English and are presented non-randomly in the manner of a story, something all too rare in Japanese museums. There is a re-enactment of a namahage visit held in an old farmhouse and you can even have some namahage cosplay photos taken for free, not the 1000 yen other places would charge. My favourite was actually the videos of namahage visits to real houses in Oga, showing families on New Years Eve with the tv on as the namahage turn up. Later in the evening, we went to see the Namahage taiko drumming show (held elsewhere at the hot spring area) which was also cheap and excellent, with more entertainment and crowd involvement/encouragement than other taiko performances I've seen. The people of Oga are obviously pushing the namahage tradition to encourage tourism, but is being done in what I think is a tasteful and friendly, welcoming way, without the grubby money-grabbing you see elsewhere. I came away with great respect for them. Ganbare Oga! We have a car, but rent one if you don't to go to places like this. Public transport just doesn't work in the Japanese countryside. You will see loads loads more with a car. There is simply...

A nice museum to visit with your kids.

Such a cute place. It reminded me of the museum I visited as a child in the 90´. The museum is nice and simple. 1 topic : the Namahage. We still refer to this with my daughter now after several month visiting it. There is a little video that again dates a little where you can see how children in the 80’ and 90’ were traumatized by the monsters. Weird and fun to watch at the same time. There are craftsman inside the museum to prepare masks and other articles. The gift shop is sooo good .

Outside there is a little traditional house where they replay the tradition for you. Be careful if you have asthma, there is smoke and real fire smells. There is a little library at the entrance. Plenty of eggs dispenser ( the little toys for the kids) the toilets are pristine. One of the oldest trees of Japan is 15min walking distance from it.

I will definitely go back when we have other kids in age. Ideal...

We went to Oga for the Namahage Sedo Festival and wanted to study up before the festival in the evening.

Everything in the museum is very informative from history to present day. Seeing all the masks people have put effort in to making was astounding.

Lots of English and English audio is readily available to learn more in depth.

The demonstration outside in another building is worth the extra small cost and they gave us a tablet so we could follow along with the script. You get to meet and be scared by real Namahage!

The souvenirs shop was well stocked with Namahage goods and local things. We bought a mask and afterwards had a chance to see someone making one inside the museum.

They have refreshments and food which was very welcome.

You can also dress up as a Namahage for fun and a photo.

As for the festival it was staggeringly amazing and exciting! Do attend if you...