The JUMONJI, UEDA area down stream of the MINASE RIVER which originates in the OU mountain range is the largest wintering spot for swans in AKITA PREF. About 2,000 swans fly in from Siberia in mid- October. The swans are used to people because members of a swan club have been feeding them for long time. Swans come close to eat bread from a person's hand.

A "swan port" is situated in the lower stream of a branch of the HIGASHI NAGAKI RIVER flowing through central ODATE CITY. The swan port is a place of relaxation for its residents. When the first snow of the season falls, many swans fly to the swan port. Since the swan port is close to town, many families and young couples visit to feed the swans.

HACHIROGATA RESERVOIR was made by drainage. The place is located on the western side of OGATA VILLAGE. The OGATA prairie wildlife sanctuary is the first national refuge in JAPAN. From the station, we can observe various kinds of birds. We can see OSEKKA, a bird peculiar to JAPAN. A special kind of nest built by the CHUHI, a kind of wild goose has been observed.

A visit by a NAMAHAGE is an unusual custom of OGA PENINSULA where people dressed as fearful demons walk around each house in a village shouting, "Woo, Woo, Is there a child crying?". The NAMAHAGE is a traditional event that is performed on New Year's Eve in 60 areas of OGA PENINSULA. The role of the demons are performed by young men wearing masks that look like demons and shoes made from straw, attaching KERAMINO and HABAKI made from straw, and carrying a wooden cleaver in their hands. People in these areas admonish idlers and crying children by saying the "NAMAHAGE will catch you !".