Niigata's Murakami City: Enjoy Fun Events, Sightseeing, and Local Cuisine!
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Niigata Prefecture is famous for its delicious rice and winter snowscapes. Murakami City has a distinct salmon culture and is Japan's northernmost tea-growing area. This article features Murakami City's popular events, sightseeing spots, and local cuisine.
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Tokyo, Japan
The Attractive Features of Niigata's Murakami City
Niigata Prefecture is known for its delicious cuisine, ski resorts, and various artworks, to name a few of its attractive features. In Murakami City, located at the prefecture's most northern tip, you can enjoy its unique food culture and many sightseeing spots.
Every year, Murakami City holds an event called the Murakami Machiya Doll Tour that starts in March and lasts about one month. On this occasion, the writer visited Murakami City's highlights, including the above-mentioned special event.
This article introduces readers to the various charms of Murakami City uncovered during this visit.
Table of Contents
1. Access for Murakami City
2. Murakami Machiya Doll Tour: A Special One-Month-Long Event!
3. Top 5 Sightseeing Spots in Murakami City!
4. What Is Murakami's Most Recommended Cuisine?
5. Senami Hot Springs: See Amazing Ocean Views!
6. Murakami City Festivals and Events: Enjoy Yourself Year-Round!
7. Murakami City: Blessed With a Rich History and Beautiful Natural Surroundings!
1. Access for Murakami City
To reach Murakami City, located on Niigata Prefecture's northernmost tip, we'll first board the Joetsu Shinkansen at Tokyo Station. Upon arrival at Niigata Station, we'll transfer to the JR Hakushin Main Line, which will take us to our destination. The total travel time is about three hours.
You can also take a bus from Niigata Airport, which has direct flights from Taiwan, China, and Korea. You can get off the bus at Niigata Station and transfer to the JR Line.
Also, visitors can board a bus headed for Senami Onsen, but reservations are required.
There's a kominka-style (traditional Japanese house) information center on the left side of the Murakami Station exit. First of all, let's get some sightseeing information for Murakami City.
2. Murakami Machiya Doll Tour: A Special One-Month-Long Event!
Dolls on display at Sennenzake Kikkawa
Every year for about one month from March 1 to April 3, the Murakami Machiya Doll Tour is held in Murakami City. This highly popular event will be celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2024.
Dolls on display at Masujin Liquor Store
During the Murakami Machiya Doll Tour, several shops and traditional minka homes feature displays of dolls. The tour takes place in the former chonin-machi, or town of merchants, tradespeople, and artisans—which still retains the appearance of an Edo Period castle town. It's been said that there are a total of 4,000 dolls!
These dolls are also on display at Sennenzake Kikkawa
If you observe closely, you'll see that the dolls' facial expressions and clothing are unique and differ according to their time period.
Among them, some dolls were considered so valuable at the time that they were worth the price of a home. Isn't that amazing?
3. Top 5 Sightseeing Spots in Murakami City!
Murakami City's former chonin-machi, the site for the Murakami Machiya Doll Tour, is a scenic location awarded a prize in 2008 for its beautiful townscape. This area is renowned for its various highlights.
Next, we'll introduce our top five recommended spots discovered when we joined the Murakami Machiya Doll Tour!
Sennenzake Kikkawa: Salmon That Was Gifted to the Emperor!
Starting from the Heian Period, the height of Japan's aristocratic culture, it was said that Murakami City residents often gifted salmon to the emperor in Kyoto and members of the noble class.
Even literary documents dating back some 1,000 years mention Murakami City's salmon. You can feel the old tradition of salmon dishes and the unique cultural value of these fish.
Sennenzake Kikkawa sells processed salmon products and is a place that conveys Murakami's salmon culture to the modern era. The shop was established in 1626, and its building is over 130 years old, giving you a sense of its long history.
When you step inside the processing area, rows of salted salmon hanging from the ceiling will catch your eye. You can feel the tradition and techniques of this salmon production.
Even today, locals often celebrate with salmon cuisine when there's an important festive occasion. Delicious salmon dishes are quickly prepared by skilled chefs who use all the salmon's body parts.
It's worth taking photos of Sennenzake Kikkawa's historic building alongside the neatly arranged salmon hanging from the rafters.
Masujin: Delicious Sake Made From High-Quality Rice!
Masujin is a sake brewery located beside Sennenzake Kikkawa with a history of over 100 years. They sell a lot of Japanese sake that's unique to the Murakami area.
The Japanese sake produced in the city uses high-quality rice and fresh water from Niigata Prefecture. Loyal sake fans have enthusiastically supported it for many years.
For example, there's Shiun Taiyozakari, which is only brewed in Murakami City and sold in limited quantities. When this popular product goes on sale, it quickly sells out.
Masujin's charm isn't limited to its sake. The building itself is over 100 years old. Its ambiance is unique to a traditional kominka house, so history lovers will find this spot irresistible.
Kokonoen: Murakami Green Tea Grown in Northernmost Japan!
Kokonoen with its quaint atmosphere dating back more than 250 years, is the perfect spot to enjoy the Japanese tea ceremony.
Growing green tea requires a moderately warm climate. Murakami City is the country's northernmost tea leaf producing area. In addition to producing high-quality tea leaves, the area has been an ardent supporter of the Japanese tea ceremony and related activities for many years.
At Kokonoen, inside the cafe's sophisticated Japanese-style room, visitors can enjoy matcha green tea with a delicate bitterness. When eaten with some Japanese confectionery, the bitterness and sweetness in your mouth combine to create a perfect taste experience. This will become an unforgettable afternoon tea for visitors.
Cafe-goers can also enjoy the view of the beautiful garden along with their tea.
Oshagiri Kaikan: Experience the Area's Rich History!
When you enter the first floor of Oshagiri Kaikan (Murakami City Local Museum) the first things that catch your eye are the large dashi, or festival floats. During the annual Murakami Taisai Festival, these dashi are pulled out from the museum and put into use.
Many of the dashi in Murakami were built during the Edo Period. They continue to be used with great care even today.
On the second floor, a variety of different exhibits are on display depending on the time of year. When this writer visited the museum there was an exhibition featuring Hina Dolls from the Edo Period up until the present.
Next to Oshagiri Kaikan is a historic site, the former Wakabayashi Family Residence. This impressive structure was originally a samurai's home during the Murakami Domain.
A Japanese-style garden spreads out beside this former samurai home. The scenery completely changes during each new season. It's an enjoyable place whenever you visit!
4. What Is Murakami's Most Recommended Cuisine?
Next, we'll introduce cuisine in Murakami City that you need to try!
Izutsuya: Fully Enjoy the Mouth-Watering Taste of Salmon!
Izutsuya is a specialty salmon shop located inside a renovated hatago, or former inn, that has been operating since the Edo Period.
There's a cooking method where all parts of the salmon—from head to tail—are used in Murakami City. It's been said that there are over 100 salmon recipes in the local area. Among these, Izutsuya offers cuisine that can truly be called art.
On this visit, the writer ordered the 11-Dish Salmon Set Meal, a popular entree at Izutsuya. The wide array of salmon dishes placed in front was really eye-catching.
Each dish has its own unique flavor, giving diners an unforgettable taste experience! From that very first bite the salmon flavor comes bursting through, and you won't be able to stop eating!
After you've fully enjoyed the taste of each dish, put some nori seaweed and fragrantly grilled salmon on top of your rice. Then pour some piping hot dashi stock into the bowl and enjoy some ochazuke. You can't help but be fully satisfied upon finishing all of this!
In addition to the 11-Dish Salmon Set Meal, there's another popular item called the Gokujo-Gokai Salmon Roe Donburi! The rice has a generous topping of salmon roe, so those who love fresh seafood have to try this dish (see above photo)!
Fujimien: Enjoy a Luxurious Green Tea Moment During Your Trip!
Fujimien is a high class tea shop that was founded during the first year of the Meiji Period.
You can purchase top-quality Murakami green tea, and enjoy an elegant cafe at the back of the premises, Saryo Kane-ei. An old traditional home was renovated to create this relaxing space, and it feels like a secret hideaway.
The shop menu features sencha and Yukiguni black tea, as well as oolong tea that is popular in many countries including Taiwan.
If you visit Saryo Kane-ei Cafe, relax and enjoy some green tea for your first drink. Then, we recommend a cup of green tea with some tasty sweets for your second drink.
This elegant space will soothe your body and soul and is the perfect spot for relaxing.
5. Senami Hot Springs: See Amazing Ocean Views!
A place to check out after your satisfying meal is a famous spot along the Japan Sea, Senami Hot Springs.
With a history of more than 100 years, this is one of the most famous hot spring resorts in Niigata Prefecture. You can enjoy a variety of marine sports and activities, and many people visit in the summer.
You can make your own onsen tamago eggs at Funto Park, the hot spring source for Senami Onsen
The Senami Hot Springs area has many onsen ryokan and there are also onsen facilities suitable for day-trip visits. People with hectic schedules can easily drop in for a visit and have a relaxing experience.
Near the beach, you'll find a ryokan facility named Taikanso Senami-no-Yu. At Nihonkai, their ashiyu foot bath, you can dip your feet in the soothing warm waters free of charge. On days when the weather is nice, you can dip your feet in the ashiyu and enjoy the spectacular sunset.
When you have an experience like this, you'll be convinced of just how charming Murakami City really is!
6. Murakami City Festivals and Events: Enjoy Yourself Year-Round!
Throughout the year, Murakami City hosts a variety of events, including the famous Murakami Machiya Doll Tour. Visitors are sure to have a unique experience whenever they stop in. Next, let's check out the most recommended events!
Spring Garden, Touring 100 Famous Views: Every year From May 1st to 31st
In May, this northernmost land comes alive with the arrival of spring. An event known as Spring Garden, Touring 100 Famous Views attracts a lot of attention at this time of the year!
During this event, visitors can see a variety of different gardens in the local area. The gardens at temples and shrines at famous tourist attractions, as well as those at former samurai homes and regular homes, are all open for viewing at no charge. Each and every garden conveys the owner's passion and dedication for gardening.
When visiting the city during this time of the year, we recommend taking your time and enjoying the arrival of spring in various gardens!
Machiya Townhouse Folding Screen Festival: Every Year From September 15 to October 15
Everything takes on a twilight hue as the signs of autumn get stronger in September. The Machiya Townhouse Folding Screen Festival is held in Murakami City.
At this event, folding screens (byobu) that have been cared and cherished for many years by each of the families are on display for the public.
These folding screens are decorated with skillful calligraphy and artwork that convey the story of history. The themes differ from screen to screen, and there's even one that depicts a scene from the Japanese classic, "The Tale of Genji." You'll get a sense of Japan's deep traditional culture.
7. Murakami City: Blessed With a Rich History and Beautiful Natural Surroundings!
Murakami City has a history and food culture dating back more than 1,000 years. Visitors can enjoy tasty cuisine that can't be found anywhere else. Additionally, they can sense the area's historic atmosphere that still remains today.
Taking a dip at Senami Hot Springs, or watching the beautiful sunset over the Sea of Japan while soaking your feet in the ashiyu foot bath. These amazing experiences aren't possible to have anywhere else!
On your next trip, please consider making Murakami City your destination spot. You'll enjoy Japan's rich culture to a level you've never experienced before!
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Tokyo, Japan
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