[In 2024, it will be held on Saturday and Sunday!] The traditional Murakami-Taisai and the Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property "Murakami Festival Float Procession" that you should see now

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The most lively day in Murakami City, Niigata Prefecture is the Murakami-Taisai on July 7th. This festival of Senami-Haguro Shrine, where 19 beautiful floats parade through the city, is designated as an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Japan and is one of the Japanese festivals you sho...

Written by

Murakami City Tourism Association

Murakami City, located at the northern tip of Niigata Prefecture, has a townscape full of historical atmosphere centered around the ruins of Murakami Castle, as well as the scenic beauty of the Sasagawa Nagare, which boasts a splendid seascape, mountains, rivers, and countryside that bring bountiful blessings, and Senami facing the Sea of Japan. You can spend quality time relaxing in the hot springs while watching the sunset. There are many delicious dishes that can only be tasted in Murakami, such as salmon dishes such as ``salted salmon'', Murakami beef, and Koshihikari rice from Iwafune. We will introduce you to the charms of Murakami, a city of history, tradition, rich nature, and gourmet food.

Table of Contents
What is the Murakami-Taisai?
Characteristics of the Murakami-Taisai
Highlights of the Murakami-Taisai
The 2024 Murakami-Taisai will be held on Saturday and Sunday!
How to get to Murakami City, Niigata Prefecture
Souvenirs from Murakami City
Food events to enjoy during the Murakami-Taisai
What to wear and bring during the Murakami-Taisai

What is the Murakami-Taisai?

Nishinaiya Haguro Shrine Main Hall

The Murakami-Taisai is a festival of Senami Haguro Shrine in Haguro-machi, Murakami City, and originated in 1633 when Hori Naoyori, the lord of Murakami at the time, moved the shrine to its current location, as he felt it was unrespectable to look down on the shrine from the castle. The Sengu Festival is held on June 7th of the lunar calendar, and it is said that the festival began when townspeople celebrated by parading through the town on Daihachiguruma beating drums. In the current Gregorian calendar, the evening festival is held on July 6th, and the main festival is held the following day, the 7th.
The Murakami-Taisai is one of the three major festivals in Niigata, and attracts many visitors every year. In addition, the parade of 19 floats, one of the highlights of the festival, was designated an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Japan in 2018 as the "Murakami Festival Float Event," and is expected to become even more popular in the future.

Senami-Haguro Shrine
https://www.sake3.com/spot/54

Characteristics of the Murakami-Taisai

The Murakami-Taisai is a "traveling ritual" in which the divine spirits of Senami-Haguro Shrine are transferred to three portable shrines, which are then paraded through the streets of Murakami. In front of the portable shrines are a procession of young children and a leading drummer known as the "sendatsu," Arauma14, and behind them are 19 floats (commonly known as oshigiri) from the towns of Murakami. The floats are gorgeously decorated with dolls known as "nosemono," and carvings painted with gold leaf and lacquer. Inside the floats, children play flutes, bells, drums, and other instruments to play the music.

Sakidaiko

To announce the start of the Murakami-Taisai, they proceed through the city streets while beating drums at a steady pace.

Arauma

It is a reenactment of the triumphant return of the feudal lord at the time, Honjo Shigenaga, in 1587, bringing with him a divided spirit from Mount Haguro (Yamagata Prefecture), and local elementary school students march in costumes that resemble horseback riding.

About Arauma
https://www.sake3.com/murakamitaisai/68

Sarutahiko, Shrine Maidens, and Children's Procession

Sarutahiko, the "Great God of Road Opening," along with shrine maidens and young boys, walk in front of the portable shrine carrying the divine spirit.

portable shrine

The deities of Senami-Haguro Shrine, Natsuhime-no-Mikoto, Uganomitama-no-Mikoto, and Tsukiyomi-no-Mikoto, are enshrined in three portable shrines and paraded around the town.

Floats touring around the town

Following behind the guides and the portable shrine is a parade of floats from 19 neighborhoods. There are three types of floats: Shagiri floats, Ohayashi floats, and Niwaka floats, each with its own unique character. Some floats are decorated with large "mountains" such as a large Tengu mask, a chicken riding on a drum, or a Hotei with a changing expression, while others move briskly to the accompaniment of spirited music, making for a spectacular sight.

"Otengu Mask" - a Nosemono at Haguro Town float

Nosemono at Omachi float: "Kanko-ni-tori"

"Hotei" on Nagaimachi float

The Murakami-Taisai float parade was designated an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Japan in 2018 as the "Murakami Festival Float Event." It is also currently a candidate for the proposed extension of the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Murakami-Taisai floats 1-5 (Kubotamachi, Omachi, Teramachi, Daikumachi, Komachi)
https://www.sake3.com/murakamitaisai/70

No. 6 to No. 10 (Shiomachi, Kanmachi, Saikumachi, Aramachi, Ogunimachi)
https://www.sake3.com/murakamitaisai/71

No. 11 to No. 15 (Kajimachi, Sakanamachi, Nagaimachi, Haguromachi, Shonaimachi)
https://www.sake3.com/murakamitaisai/72

16 to 19 (Katamachi, Kamikatamachi, Kagamachi, Izumimachi)
https://www.sake3.com/murakamitaisai/73

Highlights of the Murakami-Taisai

The Murakami-Taisai is held over two days, on July 6th (evening festival) and 7th (main festival). Here are some highlights.
*Times are approximate (may vary depending on the progress of the parade)

Evening Festival

With the main festival just one day away, each neighborhood pulls their floats around the town to both unveil them and test them out.

Date and time: Saturday , July 6, 2024, from around 14:00 to the evening *Times vary within each town.
Location: Within each neighborhood

"Slope Climbing" at Komachizaka

At around 2am, just after midnight, the Kubotamachi float rush up Komachizaka in Komachi, Murakami City.

Date and time: Sunday , July 7, 2024, 2:30-3:30
Location: Around Komachi and Komachizaka in Murakami City

19 floats gather in front of Senami-Haguro Shrine

19 floats will line up in front of Senami-Haguro Shrine in preparation for the upcoming Mikoshi and Yatai procession.

Date and time: Sunday , July 7, 2024, 6:00-8:00
Location: 6-16 Haguro-machi, Murakami City, in front of Senami-Haguro Shrine

Floats touring around the town

The floats depart from Senami-Haguro Shrine and begin their procession in order. From Kanmachi to Omachi to Komachi, there are many machiya (traditional wooden houses and shops from Murakami) lined up, making this a great place to take photos.

Date and time: Sunday , July 7, 2024, 8:30-11:00
Location: Murakami City Haguro-machi ~ Nagai-machi ~ Kanmachi ~ Omachi ~ Komachi

Return floats

The Murakami-Taisai is reaching its climax, and the lanterns on the stalls are lit up, creating a different atmosphere to that of daytime.

Date and time: Sunday , July 7, 2024, 18:30-20:30
Location : Around Sakanamachi, Murakami City

Street stalls

Open Air Market

Poppoyaki (Joukipan)

The Murakami-Taisai is counted among the "Three Great Takamachi Festivals of Niigata" (Takamachi = festival day), and many outdoor stalls are set up. If you come across a stall selling "Poppoyaki" (also called "Joukipan"), which is often sold at festivals in the Kaetsu region of Niigata Prefecture, be sure to buy some and try it. It has a chewy texture and the sweetness of brown sugar.

Date and time: July 6th (Sat) to 8th (Mon), 2024 (Varies by stall) - Around 22:00
Location: Sannocho, Murakami City, around Murakami City Hall

The 2024 Murakami-Taisai will be held on Saturday and Sunday!

Posters for the 2024 Murakami-Taisai are on sale at the Murakami Station Tourist Information Center "Murakami Tabinavikan" and at Oshagiri Hall (Murakami City Local History Museum) (500 yen each).

This year's Murakami-Taisai will be held on a weekend, so we expect it to be even more crowded and lively. Please come to the Murakami-Taisai, the most lively event in Murakami City, the northern town of Niigata Prefecture!

How to get to Murakami City, Niigata Prefecture

By plane

There are direct flights to Niigata Airport from major airports in Japan.
● Osaka (Itami/Kansai International) → Niigata Airport ... Approx. 65 minutes ● Nagoya (Komaki/Chubu International) → Niigata Airport ... Approx. 60-65 minutes
*From Tokyo, please use the train (Shinkansen + Inaho limited express)

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

Senami-Haguro Shrine is about 2 km from JR Murakami Station, and it takes about 25 minutes on foot, making it a good distance for a stroll. Other transportation options include taxis 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 "Taiyozakari" 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

Food events to enjoy during the Murakami-Taisai

*During the Murakami-Taisai, some stores may have different business days and hours. Please contact us directly before visiting.

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

Murakami Wild Rock Oysters 2024 (June 1st to mid-August)
Natural rock oysters from Murakami City are in season in the summer. Please enjoy the large, rich flavor of these natural rock oysters.
https://www.sake3.com/event/18903

What to wear and bring during the Murakami-Taisai

In Murakami City, Niigata Prefecture, in early July, the temperature rises on clear days and the sun shines brightly. We recommend bringing a parasol or hat. It often rains during the Murakami-Taisai, so if the weather forecast predicts rain, please bring a folding umbrella and rain gear. If you plan to visit early in the morning or at night, it may be chilly, so it's a good idea to bring a thin jacket or scarf.

Written by

Murakami City Tourism Association

Niigata

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