June 17, 2006 Day 10: Kakunodate & Oga
Kakunodate, also known as “Mutsu Little Kyoto”, was a castle town that flourished during the Edo period. With a radius of 2 kilometers, the area is not large, but many ancient buildings including samurai residences have been preserved. It attracts both Japanese and foreign tourists, and is a popular tourist attraction. Many samurai residences can be actually visited, and some of them are still inhabited today. There are several stores nearby where you can rent kimonos and wear them for a walk around the neighborhood. Another way to enjoy the area is to take a rickshaw from the “Hua Seiko Heritage Museum” to see the sights.
Oga Shinzan Folklore Museum is housed in a traditional Oga Peninsula house. Apart from a few displays, the Namahage performance is the primary reason tourists visit the museum. In Oga, Namahage are believed to chase away bad luck and evil spirits with their loud voices and noisy actions. Their visits also cause the villagers to reflect on the passing year. As it always has been in Oga, after the Namahage have left, it is time to welcome the new year.