Salmon fishing using traditional fishing methods begins in Murakami City, Niigata Prefecture.

Murakami City, Niigata Prefecture, has cherished salmon.

A statue of Buheiji Aoto in Murakami City Salmon Park

Since ancient times, Murakami City in Niigata Prefecture has prospered due to the salmon that come up the river. In ancient times, there is a record in the book "Engishiki" compiled during the Heian period that salmon was presented to the imperial court from Echigo Province, and it is said that some of the salmon was caught in Murakami. During the Edo period, the world's first successful natural hatching and propagation of salmon was carried out in Tanegawa, a branch of the Miomote River. The achievements of Buheiji Aoto, a samurai of the Murakami clan, who devoted himself to this project, have been passed down to the present day.

Salmon culture rooted in Murakami

The salmon bones, fins, skin, and internal organs are all cooked and eaten deliciously. It is said that there are over 100 salmon dishes handed down in Murakami.

Murakami City has developed a unique culture in terms of language and cuisine. In Murakami's dialect, the word for salmon is ``iyoboya,'' where ``iyo'' means fish and ``boya'' also means fish, so salmon means ``a fish among fishes.'' It is said that there are more than 100 types of salmon-related dishes, including ``Shiobikizake'' and ``Sake no sakabitashi,'' and everything from the head bones to internal organs and fins are cooked without being thrown away, and the salmon is eaten with care. .

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Salmon fishing is carried out on the Miomote River, which flows through Murakami City, using the traditional fishing method "Iguri fishing" (usually from October 20th to the end of November).

Salmon fishing takes place in the rivers of Murakami City from late October to December every year. On the Miomote River, you will see ``Urai fishing,'' where salmon are caught by setting up fences called urai, ``Iguri fishing,'' where salmon are caught with a net by operating a riverboat, and ``Tenkara fishing,'' where salmon are hooked with a large hook. Among them, Iguri fishing is a traditional fishing method that can only be seen on the Miomote River. Please take a look.

2023 (Reiwa 5) Implementation summary of Miomote River Iguri fishing

Implementation period October 21, 2023 (Saturday) to November 30, 2023 (Thursday)

Implementation hours Monday , Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday…from around 9:00/Sunday/Holidays…from around 9:00/around 13:00

Notes ●The fishing will be carried out on the left bank of the Miomote River. ●The fishing will be carried out 300 to 400 meters downstream from the extension of the fence. ●The fishing may end earlier depending on the fishing situation. ●The fishing may not go out in bad weather or when the westerly wind blows. ●Visits are free ●Fishing is closed on Wednesdays ●Only one fishing trip per hour

2023 (Reiwa 5) Seine fishing on Miomote River