Namahage Sedo Festival
Demon-masked 'namahage' brandishing torches stampede down a snowy mountainside at Shinzan Shrine in a fierce, firelit Oga winter spectacle.
When · Where
- When
- 2027/02/12 09:00 – 2027/02/14
- Where
- Shinzan Shrine, Oga, Akita（97 Mizukuisawa, Kitaurameyama, Oga, Akita）
- City
- Across Japan
- Getting there
- Shuttle bus from JR Oga Station during the festival
- Price
- Free
- Organizer
- Oga City / Shinzan Shrine
Good to know for visitors
- Getting there
- Shuttle bus from JR Oga Station during the festival Open directions in Google Maps ↗
- Booking & entry
- Free to attend — details on the official page (button above).
- Language
- Mostly in Japanese — a translation app on your phone helps.
- Good for
- culture seekers, groups of friends, night owls
Highlights
- Torch-bearing namahage descending the mountain
- Sacred sedo bonfire ritual
- Thunderous taiko drumming
Background & story
Combines Shinzan Shrine's ancient 'sedo' fire rite with the Oga namahage folk tradition, a UNESCO-listed New Year ritual.
Good to know
Held on the 2nd Fri-Sun of February; it's bitterly cold and snowy — wear winter boots and arrive before the evening mountain descent.