Oga, Akita

Oga 男鹿市
—  City  —
Flag
Location of Oga in Akita
Oga
Coordinates: 39°53′N 139°51′E / 39.883°N 139.85°E / 39.883; 139.85Coordinates: 39°53′N 139°51′E / 39.883°N 139.85°E / 39.883; 139.85
Country	Japan
Region	Tōhoku
Prefecture	Akita
Government
- Mayor	Yukio Watanabe (since April 2009)
Area
- Total	240.80 km2 (93 sq mi)
Population (October 1, 2011)
- Total	31,863
- Density	132.3/km2 (342.7/sq mi)
Time zone	Japan Standard Time (UTC+9)
City symbols
- Tree	Cryptomeria
- Flower	Camellia
- Bird	Grey Heron
Phone number	0185-23-2111
Address	66-1 Funagawaminato Funagawa aza Izumidai, Oga-shi, Akita-ken
Website	City of Oga

Oga (男鹿市, Oga-shi^?) is a city located in Akita Prefecture, Japan. It is located on the Oga Peninsula.

The city was founded on March 31, 1954.

As of 2003, the city has an estimated population of 29,377 and a population density of 148.34 persons per km². The total area is 198.04 km².

On March 22, 2005, the town of Wakami was merged into the city. As of 2011, the city has an estimated population of 31,863. The total area is 240.80 km².

Culture

Oga is famous for its Namahage Festival, a traditional event held on New Year's Eve in which groups of men dressed as ogre-like deities called "Namahage" with masks and straw raincoats visit houses at night.^[1]

Notable people

• Hiromitsu Ochiai
• Shokichi Natsui

References

1. ^ "Oga Namahage Festival". Japan: Japan National Tourism Organization. http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/attractions/event/traditionalevents/a67_fes_oga.html. Retrieved 23 August 2011. 

External links

• Official website (Japanese)
• Official website (English)