A set of Japanese folk rituals, in which people dress up as gods and visit homes, was approved Thursday for addition to UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list, a committee of the U.N. body said.

The rituals featuring Raiho-shin — meaning a visiting deity — stem from folk beliefs that gods visit their communities to usher in the New Year or new seasons with good luck. Those to be listed include Oga no Namahage in Akita Prefecture, one of the most popular among such customs.

During a meeting of UNESCO's Intergovernmental Committee in Port Louis, Mauritius, it was announced 10 such rituals from eight prefectures were to become part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage list. The actual inscription on the list is scheduled to take place on Saturday, the last day of the session.