Namahage Museum
Namahage Museum
4
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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4.0
211 reviews
Excellent
68
Very good
111
Average
29
Poor
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Terrible
1
Your Travel Buddy SG
Singapore, Singapore13,014 contributions
Dec 2022 • Family
Though it was close to an hour drive from Akita city, we continued to visit this museum as the local culture here in Akita is centred on namahage. Even at the JR train station, you can see traces of namahage.
When we visited, there wasn’t many people as it might be the Low season. It was late November when we visited. The museum has alot of namahage masks on display. There was a show dictating how this namahage started and there were many stories. It was intriguing to watch the video and then looking at the artefacts on display. At the end of the museum, like all tourists destination in Japan, they have a souvenir shop. One can literally buy a namahage mask home but for me, I just bought some snacks for the drive back to Akita city. Overall, it’s a very good experience understanding the local culture and I must say if you are in Akita, this should be your top itinerary.
When we visited, there wasn’t many people as it might be the Low season. It was late November when we visited. The museum has alot of namahage masks on display. There was a show dictating how this namahage started and there were many stories. It was intriguing to watch the video and then looking at the artefacts on display. At the end of the museum, like all tourists destination in Japan, they have a souvenir shop. One can literally buy a namahage mask home but for me, I just bought some snacks for the drive back to Akita city. Overall, it’s a very good experience understanding the local culture and I must say if you are in Akita, this should be your top itinerary.
Written December 8, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Karen I
13 contributions
May 2023 • Couples
Namahage museum is a fun alternative to other museums. The performance is worth seeing though may scare younger children! Since we don't speak Japanese we were provided with a tablet outlining the play which was good. This was provided for a number of different languages. The grounds are beautiful to walk around and enjoy. And you can finish off with a gelati served by an elderly woman outside.
Written May 28, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LVV
Sapporo, Japan15 contributions
Aug 2021 • Solo
If you want to learn about the unique tradition of Namahage, this is the best place to go. There's an exhibit with information about the tradition, a documentary explaining everything carefully, and an exhibition of over 100 different Namahage costumes from different parts of the peninsula. There was sufficient English information in the museum.
The dress-up activity is closed due to the pandemic, but there's a photo corner instead.
Don't forget to check out the performance in the building next door (ticket required).
When planning a visit by public transportation, make sure to reserve the shuttle service in advance. A taxi will take you from the station to the museum and back for 1100 yen one way. This is much cheaper than taking a regular taxi.
The dress-up activity is closed due to the pandemic, but there's a photo corner instead.
Don't forget to check out the performance in the building next door (ticket required).
When planning a visit by public transportation, make sure to reserve the shuttle service in advance. A taxi will take you from the station to the museum and back for 1100 yen one way. This is much cheaper than taking a regular taxi.
Written August 4, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ChrisKullstroem
Norwich, CT74 contributions
Feb 2014 • Friends
I came upon the Namahage Museum during a trip to Akita for the legendary Namahage Festival in early February. The Museum provides several excellent resources for both locals and visitors to learn the history and culture of the Namahage: the monsters from the Snowy Mountain which descend once a year to terrorize children. Both during the festival and throughout the year, the Museum shows documentary footage of a traditional Namahage visit to Japanese homes, showing in all its glory the fear and terror these creatures induce in children. Visitors can also see hundreds of traditional Namahage costumes and masks on display, and even try on an authentic costume and mask and have their picture taken free of charge. The Museum also has a cafe and Learning Center where visitors can read through several publications in Japanese and English about the Namahage and other similar creatures throughout the world.
Visitors without their own transportation can reach the Museum by bus from the nearby town of Akita.
Visitors without their own transportation can reach the Museum by bus from the nearby town of Akita.
Written July 1, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Foreversh
Port Coquitlam, Canada55 contributions
The Namahage museum is located on a side road in a forest. It is really beautiful in the winter, but cost around 2,000yen to get there by taxi from Hadachi Station. The staff (when I went) did not speak English, but I could understand enough with some knowledge of Japanese. There are some English translations for artifacts and such, but they're quite short.
You can dress up as a namahage (demon) and there is a 15min movie the staff will usher you to watch. It felt a little uncomfortable as the staff followed us into the room where all the namahage models were and watched us, but we left soon after that.
The museum is quite small, but it's interesting to watch the movie and to see the traditions. Also, there is a re-enactment hut outside the museum, but we did not have a chance to watch. The Korean drama, Iris, filmed some scenes at the museum.
Shinzan Shrine is a 5min walk up the hill from the museum~
You can dress up as a namahage (demon) and there is a 15min movie the staff will usher you to watch. It felt a little uncomfortable as the staff followed us into the room where all the namahage models were and watched us, but we left soon after that.
The museum is quite small, but it's interesting to watch the movie and to see the traditions. Also, there is a re-enactment hut outside the museum, but we did not have a chance to watch. The Korean drama, Iris, filmed some scenes at the museum.
Shinzan Shrine is a 5min walk up the hill from the museum~
Written February 19, 2010
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DesmondLim
Singapore, Singapore324 contributions
Dec 2019 • Family
Getting there is not easy, we took a train to Hadachi Station from Akita Station.
Hadachi is one stop before Oga Station, it is closer to the road entering the peninsula than Oga (cheaper for taxi ride), however it is much remote and probably have challenge getting a Taxi. Fortunately, we gotten help from local to book one for us.
Alternatively there is a limited schedule bus route in winter, but i figure out there is not much saving adding up for 4 person. Let me know if you can’t find the info.
The museum is based on local legend and tradition that they held annually. There is a presentation explaining the legend and the celebration, it was enjoyable watching.
They also demonstration the mask making and you can try on the costume for picture taking too, finally they have a large mall with all the different costumes, over 50 or more displayed.
Suggestion
- consider driving to Oga if possible, but not recommended if snowing. It will be cheaper and easier getting around.
- combine few activities if going, GAO aquarium is a nice place to visit, and the sea view is beautiful.
Bonus
There is a little cafe 200m away near the Shrine. The friendly couple operate a little organic farm, their specialty tea was really nice. (Last 2 pic of this review)
Do drop me a message if you have any question, or give me a thumbs up if find the review is useful. Thanks!
Hadachi is one stop before Oga Station, it is closer to the road entering the peninsula than Oga (cheaper for taxi ride), however it is much remote and probably have challenge getting a Taxi. Fortunately, we gotten help from local to book one for us.
Alternatively there is a limited schedule bus route in winter, but i figure out there is not much saving adding up for 4 person. Let me know if you can’t find the info.
The museum is based on local legend and tradition that they held annually. There is a presentation explaining the legend and the celebration, it was enjoyable watching.
They also demonstration the mask making and you can try on the costume for picture taking too, finally they have a large mall with all the different costumes, over 50 or more displayed.
Suggestion
- consider driving to Oga if possible, but not recommended if snowing. It will be cheaper and easier getting around.
- combine few activities if going, GAO aquarium is a nice place to visit, and the sea view is beautiful.
Bonus
There is a little cafe 200m away near the Shrine. The friendly couple operate a little organic farm, their specialty tea was really nice. (Last 2 pic of this review)
Do drop me a message if you have any question, or give me a thumbs up if find the review is useful. Thanks!
Written December 20, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Finecutpost
Melbourne, Australia52 contributions
Sep 2018 • Couples
This visit was one of the jewels of our trip to Japan. The story of The Namahage is fascinating and the live show is excellent. Be sure to read the English handout before the show. The Nagahage's travel house to house on NYE asking the head of the household about crops and if his children are well behaved, whatever he says they have a "book" which details all the bad things the kids and lazy wives have done. They then try to tear them away from the family for punishment. while we were queuing a Japanese man said that they had come to his village when he was a child and had so terrified him he's never misbehaved in his life! While we were there the city has a highly subsidized tour for 1000 Yen which included a train ride to Oga (including a very good Bento Box lunch) touring around all the Namahage sites and a delivery back to the cruise terminal. In my view it would be a bargain at 100,000 yen.
Written September 17, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mt188
San Francisco, CA257 contributions
Jun 2018 • Family
The museum tells about the mythical creature that is the Namahage, or the demon who searches for lazy, ill mannered children (and wives, too!!). You can dress up as namahage and have someone take your picture. There are regularly scheduled performances in the museum's theatre that explains about namahage in narrative form, plus a visit from two namahage. The performance can scare little kids, especially those who grew up to fear the creature, but we attended with a bunch of second graders who squealed in both delight and fear. There is a casual cafe where you can order noodles and standard Japanese fare. A downside is that there does not seem to be much English language support.
Written July 10, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Charlie
41 contributions
Apr 2019 • Friends
The museum is about 62km away from Akita airport ! It takes about 1.5hr by car. It is a must go place when you travel to Oga. You can learn the traditional Japanese culture and experience namahage thing in that museum.
Written April 21, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Higuma 2017
Australia901 contributions
Mar 2018 • Couples
Absolutely fantastic, cleverly designed, with ALL the different Namahage of Oga Peninsula, history, videos, shop, attached shrines with a relevant role on the whole Namahage scene. Cannot miss the Namahage reception reconstruction when two Namahage enter the house and you see really how much they terrify the children, and cannot miss Goshado shrine after this one.
Written May 3, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
No questions have been asked about this experience
Namahage Museum (Oga) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about Namahage Museum
- Namahage Museum is open:
- Sun - Sat 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
- Hotels near Namahage Museum:
- (2.84 mi) Hotel Kiraraka
- (3.21 mi) Yuzankaku
- (3.31 mi) Teisui
- (3.48 mi) Ogaonsen Yuinoyado Bettei Tsubaki
- (3.38 mi) Oga Hotel
- Restaurants near Namahage Museum:
- (0.04 mi) Doraku-Tei
- (0.11 mi) Mori no Ki no Mi Juice
- (1.49 mi) Satoyama No Cafe Ninigi
- (1.71 mi) Warm Bath Land Oga
- (2.08 mi) Suzuki Kineido Shapo