The "Namahage Museum" is a facility that provides exhibits and information about the traditional demon "Namahage" that has been passed down in the Oga Peninsula. Namahage originated from young men in the neighborhood who visited homes as "Namahage" to drive away evil spirits to pray for a good harvest and safety of their families before farmers welcomed the new year. The museum displays 110 of the 150 Namahage figures and 40 masks that were actually used in various parts of the Oga Peninsula, allowing visitors to see them up close. In addition, there is a screen that shows the scene of Namahage festival on New Year's Eve, allowing visitors to feel the festival atmosphere. Oga City has a tradition of Namahage parading through the town during the festival, which has been popular with tourists for a long time. The Namahage Museum is open year-round, and when visiting Akita Prefecture, it is recommended to learn about the history and culture of Namahage in Oga City and experience the power of the festival!
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