[About 3 hours from Tokyo] A trip to Murakame City, Niigata Prefecture, to encounter a garden filled with the joys of spring and fresh greenery

• Table of Contents
• What is "Jyoukamachi-Murakami Haru-no-niwa Hyakkei Meguri（Castle Town Murakami 100 Spring Garden Scenes Tour）"?
• 7 Must-see Spots
• Other events during the period
• How to get to Murakami City, Niigata Prefecture
• Souvenirs from Murakami City
• Murakami City's Climate and Clothing

What is "Jyoukamachi-Murakami Haru-no-niwa Hyakkei Meguri（Castle Town Murakami 100 Spring Garden Scenes Tour）"?

Sennen Salmon Kikkawa (front yard)

The "Jyoukamachi-Murakami Haru-no-niwa Hyakkei Meguri（Castle Town Murakami Spring Garden Tour）" is held every May. This is an event where you can feel the breath of spring through the plants that change and grow every day through gardens, which are one of the Japanese cultures, and enjoy walking around the town and interacting with the people.
Every year, about 50 participants open to the public for free their lovingly tended gardens, along with the trees, flowers, bonsai, wildflowers, and other potted plants that they grow there.

10th Jyoukamachi-Murakami Haru-no-niwa Hyakkei Meguri（Castle Town Murakami Spring Garden Tour）

※Click on the image to view the PDF

Event period: Wednesday, May 1st to Friday, May 31st, 2024 *Holidays may vary depending on participants.
Time: 9:00-17:00 *Opening times vary depending on participants
Venue: Murakami City, Niigata Prefecture, castle town area *Mainly around JR Murakami Station, Murakami City Hall, and Murakami Castle ruins
Admission: Free
Organized by Murakami Castle Town Garden Association
Note: This event is being held thanks to the generosity of the participants. Please be mindful of your manners.

Request : When visiting, please say hello to the gardener and the people living in the house.
▶The garden owner is enjoying the garden as a hobby. Please refrain from making unnecessary criticisms.
▶Please do not allow pets in the garden.
▶Do not enter the garden wearing heels.
▶Even during the event period, the garden may not be open to the public due to the owner's circumstances.
▶ Never touch or damage plants in the garden, or pick or pull out any plants.
▶When walking around town, please follow traffic rules and stay inside the white lines.
▶Please be considerate of other visitors and local residents and view the exhibits quietly.
▶Please do not ring the bell if you do not need to enter or exit the garden, such as the front garden which can be seen from outside.

inquiry
Murakami Station Tourist Information Center "Murakami Tabinavikan" TEL 0254-53-2258 (9:00-17:00)

10th Murakami Castle Town Spring Garden 100 Scenes Tour
https://www.sake3.com/contents8928/138

7 Must-see Spots

Gallery Yamakichi in Machiya

Located about a 10-minute walk from JR Murakami Station, the courtyard will be open to the public during the event. The well-maintained garden trees and flowers (such as azaleas and peonies) are stunning.

Machiya Gallery Yamakichi (Murakami City Tourism Association introduction page)
https://www.sake3.com/spot/3794

M

Masujin, which once operated as a sake brewery, is built in the traditional Murakami townhouse style, while the courtyard is a garden that you can stroll around in. You can see vibrant trees and wildflowers.

Masujin (Murakami City Tourism Association introduction page)
https://www.sake3.com/spot/263

Sennen-zake Kikkawa (Thousand-Year Salmon)

This store manufactures and sells processed salmon products, one of Murakami's specialties. The front garden and courtyard, created to let in light, are small but carefully maintained, and the moss-covered garden stones give the shop a sense of elegance.

Thousand-year-old salmon Kikkawa
https://www.murakamisake.com/

Manpukuji Temple

Taishinzan Manpukuji Temple in Haguro-cho, Murakami City is a Soto Zen temple. Maintaining a beautiful garden is one of the teachings of Zen Buddhism. The courtyard at the back of the temple was created to take advantage of the mountain scenery.
*The garden is open from May 1st (Wed) to 20th (Mon).

Taishinzan Manpukuji Temple (Murakami City Tourism Association introduction page)
https://www.sake3.com/spot/8481

Ganjoji Temple

Ganjoji Temple, located in Teramachi, Murakami City, is a temple of the Otani sect of Shinshu Buddhism. The short approach from the gate to the main hall is lined with lush greenery and early summer flowers. The dove ridge ornament on the roof of the main hall is also worth checking out.

Ganjoji Temple (Murakami City Tourism Association introduction page)
https://www.sake3.com/spot/6687

Kishi's house

The Kishi's house garden (azalea fence and front yard) at the foot of the Murakami Castle ruins (Gagyusan) is a spectacular sight, with early summer flowers, azaleas, in full bloom. We also recommend hiking up the Murakami Castle ruins.

Kishi's house (9-25 Ninomachi, Murakami City)

Fusaiji Temple

About 20 minutes by car from Murakami city, the main venue of this event, Fusaiji Temple is an ancient temple with a vast stroll-style Japanese garden. The garden also features a pond, a waterfall, and a gazebo, making it a great place to enjoy a little stroll.

Fusaiji Temple
https://www.dev-bridge.jp/fusaiji/

Other events during the period

During the "10th Castle Town Murakami Spring Garden 100 Views Tour" (May 1st to 31st), there will be other events that can be enjoyed together with this event. Please come and enjoy them together!!

Murakami Donburi Battle 2024 Spring/Summer Edition (4/1-9/30)
You can enjoy "donburi" dishes made with plenty of Murakami beef, the local specialty salmon, and fresh seafood at 27 participating restaurants.
https://murakami-donburi.wixsite.com/donburi-gassen

Echigo Murakami: Satsuki Garden and Machiya Street Tour (5/12)
Food trucks and fun events will be held at Machiya Street (Kamimachi to Omachi to Komachi in Murakami City).
https://www.sake3.com/event/18808

The 34th Murakami City Omakuba Tea Ceremony (May 19th)
An outdoor tea ceremony, rare throughout Japan, will be held in the pine forest (Omakuba Forest Park) where the refreshing May breeze blows through.
https://www.sake3.com/event/8122

Murakami Tea New Tea Picking Experience + Murakami Tea Special Lunch (5/25, 26, 27)
This bus tour includes an experience of picking new Murakami tea buds, a special lunch made with Murakami tea, and the opportunity to enjoy walking around the town and shopping.
https://www.sake3.com/news/17664

[May] Antique Market at Enma-do Temple (May 26th)
Old folk tools, old fabrics, tableware and jewelry are lined up on "Echigo Murakami Machiya Street." Enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime encounter.
https://www.sake3.com/event/16204

How to get to Murakami City, Niigata Prefecture

By plane

There are direct flights to Niigata Airport from major airports in Japan.
Tokyo (Narita Airport) → Niigata Airport ... Approximately 65 minutes (service is suspended from the end of October to the end of March each year, so please use the Shinkansen during this period)
● Osaka (Itami/Kansai International) → Niigata Airport ... Approx. 65 minutes ● Nagoya (Komaki/Chubu International) → Niigata Airport ... Approx. 60-65 minutes

Please take the limousine bus (approximately 25 minutes) from Niigata Airport to JR Niigata Station.
There is also the "Senami Onsen Direct Liner" (reservation required) that connects Niigata Airport to Murakami and Senami Onsen.
https://www.niigata-airport.gr.jp/access/liner/senami/

By train

Please take the Shinkansen from major cities in Japan to Niigata Prefecture (Niigata City).
●Tokyo Station → (Joetsu Shinkansen) → Niigata Station ... Approximately 2 hours ●Shin-Osaka Station → (Tokaido Shinkansen) → Tokyo Station → (Joetsu Shinkansen) → Niigata Prefecture ... Approximately 4 hours and 30 minutes

Please take the Uetsu Main Line from Niigata City to Murakame City.
●Niigata Station → (Uetsu Main Line) → Murakami Station ... Approx. 1 hour Approx. 1 hour 30 minutes
https://www.sake3.com/en/access.html

How to get around Murakami city

The old town area, where old streetscapes remain, is about 2km away from Murakami Station, and takes about 20 minutes on foot, making it a good distance for a stroll. Other transportation options include taxis, circular buses, and rental bicycles.
https://www.sake3.com/en/access2.html

Souvenirs from Murakami City

Among souvenirs from Murakami City, processed salmon products are especially popular. Japanese sake such as "Shimeharitsuru" and "Taiyomori" are also produced here. Murakami tea, which has little bitterness, is recommended for those who are not used to drinking green tea. As for handicrafts, Murakami woodcarving lacquer chopsticks and accessories are affordable and popular among women.

Murakami City's specialty products (food)
https://www.sake3.com/en/food.html

Murakami City's specialty products (crafts)
https://www.sake3.com/en/skill.html

Murakami City's Climate and Clothing

In Murakami City, Niigata Prefecture, the weather is usually stable in May, and there are many days when the temperature rises. However, it can still be chilly in the mornings and evenings, so it's a good idea to bring a thin jacket or scarf that you can quickly put on.