ANA Crowne Plaza Hotel Akita is offering its “Namahage Stay” accommodation plan throughout the year.
Namahage is a traditional visiting deity ritual originating in Oga City, Akita Prefecture, Japan. On New Year’s Eve, figures dressed in demon masks and straw costumes called kede go from house to house, shouting “Any crying children here?” and “Any naughty children here?” to admonish laziness and pray for household safety and good health. The ritual has been designated as an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Japan and is also inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity under “Raiho-shin, ritual visits of deities in masks and costumes.”
The plan includes one night with two meals. After checking in at 3:00 p.m., guests fill out a questionnaire sheet where the organizer records what they would like the Namahage to say, along with the name and age of the intended recipient. Between 4:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m., the Namahage will visit the guest room for about 10 minutes. Dinner is served at the Sky Grill Buffet Restaurant SORA, located 50 meters above ground level, offering dishes made with ingredients from Akita. On Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays, there is a special corner for children, while adults can enjoy an all-you-can-drink plan featuring a tasting selection of Akita sake. Around 6:30 p.m., the Namahage will appear again at the restaurant, and at 7:00 p.m. there will be a commemorative photo session and presentation of Akita souvenirs. For international visitors, an information sheet explaining the history of Namahage and the meaning of its actions is available in English, Chinese, and Korean.
