NAMAHAGE SEDO FESTIVAL

Welcoming the New Year with a visit from the gods

The Namahage Sedo Festival is one of five major snow festivals in Michinoku. It began at Mayama Shrine in Kitaura, Oga City, Akita Prefecture, in 1964 and is held for three days every year on the second Friday, Saturday and Sunday of February.



The festival combines the 900-year-old Shinto ritual "Saitosai," which has been held at Mayama Shrine every year on January 3, and the folkloric Namahage event.



The dances of brave and powerful Namahage demons under the bush lanterns in the precincts of Mayama Shrine are a captivating sight.