[About 3 hours from Tokyo] 5 souvenirs you'll want to get in Murakame City, Niigata Prefecture +α

• Table of Contents
• 5 souvenirs from Murakami City, Niigata Prefecture
• Other souvenirs available include:
• How to get to Murakami City, Niigata Prefecture

5 souvenirs from Murakami City, Niigata Prefecture

Salmon products

The Miomote River that runs through Murakami city is famous as a river where salmon swim upstream. In Murakami city, a unique salmon food culture was born in which salmon caught are carefully cooked, with the bones, skin, and organs all left behind.
Among them, processed salmon products such as "Shiobikizake" and "Sake-no-Sakabitashi" are popular souvenirs. Other popular products include "salmon wrapped in kelp" and "grilled and marinated salmon," which can be eaten as is, straight out of the bag.

Shops where you can buy salmon and salmon products
https://www.sake3.com/iyoboya/115

Japanese sake

Thanks to the fertile soil, abundant water, and the efforts of our forefathers, Niigata rice has become a source of pride for the world. The same goes for sake rice, with varieties such as Koshitanrei and Gohyakumangoku grown in Niigata Prefecture.
There are 88 sake breweries in Niigata Prefecture (as of 2021), two of which are located in Murakami City. Miyao Shuzo, the brewer of "Shimeharitsuru," and Taiyo Shuzo, known for "Taiyozakari" and "Shiun Taiyozakari." Both breweries produce unique sake and have won many fans.

Miyao Shuzo (External link)
https://www.shimeharitsuru.co.jp/

Taiyo Shuzo (External link)
https://www.taiyo-sake.co.jp/

Murakami Tea

Japanese tea is cultivated in warm regions, and Murakami City in Niigata Prefecture is said to be at its northern limit (commercial tea-producing area on the Japan Sea side). Murakami City's winters are characterized by intense cold winds and heavy snowfall, making it less suitable for growing tea plants. However, the tea leaves that sprout after surviving the harsh winter are less bitter than tea from other tea-producing regions, and have a subtle sweetness.
Black tea (Snow Country Black Tea), oolong tea, and bottled tea made with the same tea leaves are also popular.

Shops where you can buy Murakami tea
https://www.sake3.com/murakamicha/46

Murakami Wood Carvings

In the mid-Edo period, lacquerware took root in Murakami as a samurai hobby. Later, encouraged by the feudal lord of the time, the trend spread to townspeople, and with the availability of high-quality lacquer in the mountains, the technique evolved in its own way as "Murakami wood carving lacquerware," which continues to this day.
In addition to traditional items such as tea utensils, confectionery dishes, and sake utensils, accessories such as pendants, brooches, and earrings are also popular. Some stores will even laser engrave your name on standard chopsticks, which you can take home on the same day, making them a great souvenir.

Shops where you can buy Murakami woodcarving lacquerware
https://www.sake3.com/tsuishu/29

Suzuki Lacquerware Shop (A shop that will engrave your chopsticks for you)
https://www.sake3.com/murakamiyage/920

Uetsu-Shinafu

Uetsu-Shinafu, an ancient cloth woven from the bark of linden trees and other trees, is a traditional craft that is only produced in Sekikawa, Tsuruoka City, Yamagata Prefecture, and Ikazuchi and Yamakumada, Murakami City. It was once used for kimono sashes, but is now processed into a variety of popular items, including hats, table runners, wallets, and business card holders. Uetsu-Shinafu is sturdy with a rough texture, and the more you use it, the more it will shine and turn amber, becoming an item you will grow to love.

Shops where you can buy Uetsu-Shinafu
https://www.sake3.com/spot/6687

Other souvenirs available include:

There are other local products from Murakami City, Niigata Prefecture that we would like to recommend.

-Sasagawa Nagare Salt
Natural salt made from the beautiful seawater of the Sea of ​​Japan in the northern part of Murakame City. "Moshio" (seaweed salt) is made by boiling it down with seaweed, and is full of the umami components of seaweed, so it is recommended as a dipping salt for salads, tempura, etc.

Murakami City Tourism Association Homepage > Murakami Souvenirs > Salt
https://www.sake3.com/murakamiyage/category/sio

SIwafune Fu
Iwafune Fu, shaped like an upside-down rice bowl, is also known as Manju Fu. It is delicious not only as an ingredient in stews and miso soup, but also when prepared as French toast.

Murakami City Tourism Association Homepage > Murakami Souvenirs > Honma Nori-ya Futen
https://www.sake3.com/murakamiyage/32

Salted Salmon Straps
These straps are made of Murakami's specialty "salted salmon," handmade by the staff at the tourist information center. Each one is unique, so please forgive us if they sell out. There is also a "handmade kit" that allows you to make your own salted salmon strap.

Murakami City Tourism Association Homepage > Murakami Station Tourist Information Center "Murakami Tabinavikan"
https://www.sake3.com/spot/1893

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 is just the right distance for a 20-minute walk. Other transportation options include taxis, circular buses, and rental bicycles.
https://www.sake3.com/en/access2.html