[About 3 hours from Tokyo by Shinkansen + Limited Express] Visit Murakami City, Niigata Prefecture, to see the Machiya and historic folding screens and folk tools in the fall

• Table of Contents
• What is the "Castle Town Murakami Machiya Folding Screen Festival"?
• Recommended participating stores
• 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 the "Castle Town Murakami Machiya Folding Screen Festival"?

Hayasendo

A popular autumn event in Murakami City, Niigata Prefecture, is the "Castle Town Murakami Machiya Byobu Festival." The annual festival of Senami Haguro Shrine, the "Murakami Festival" (held every July 7th), used to be called the "Folding Screen Festival" because each house would erect a folding screen to entertain visitors. Nowadays, fewer houses erect folding screens on festival days, but the traditional folding screens are still passed down in the houses of Murakami.

The "Castle Town Murakami Machiya Folding Screen Festival" will be held in the old town where many machiya (traditional wooden houses and shops in Murakami) remain, and will exhibit folding screens and folk tools cherished by the people who live in the machiya, which will be open to the public free of charge. While appreciating the precious folding screens, you can also tour the inside of the machiya, which is an important part of daily life, stroll through the historical and atmospheric alleys of Murakami, and enjoy heartwarming interactions with the local residents.

The 24th Murakami Castle Town Machiya Folding Screen Festival

*Please note that the event content may change or be canceled due to various reasons.

Event period: September 15th (Sun) to October 15th (Tue), 2024 *Holidays vary depending on participating stores.
Time: 9:00-17:00 *Opening times vary depending on participating stores.
Venue: Murakami City, Niigata Prefecture, former townspeople's town area *Mainly around JR Murakami Station and Murakami City Hall
Admission: Free
Organized by Murakami Machiya Merchants Association
Note: This event is being held with the kind permission of the participating stores. Please be mindful of your manners.

For inquiries, please contact the Murakami Station Tourist Information Center "Murakami Tabinabikan"
TEL: 0254-53-2258 (9:00-17:00)

For details on the "Castle Town Murakami Machiya Byobu Festival," click here

Recommended participating stores

*Please note that some of the participating stores listed below may not be participating in the event.

Gallery Yamakichi in Machiya

This gallery uses an old Machiya and displays and sells works by local artists and traditional craftsmen. During the event, antiques such as folding screens and Murakami woodcarving lacquerware will be on display in the living room.

"Machiya Gallery Yamakichi" introduction page

Yamagami somemonoten

This long-established dyeing shop was founded in the Kanbun era (1661-73) of the Edo period. The shop is also popular for its "Hokugen no Cha-dyeing Experience" (fee required/reservations required one week prior to the desired experience date), which uses Murakami tea as the dye. Antique items such as folding screens and Murakami woodcarving lacquerware are displayed in the tea room of the Machiya, which is open to the public.

Yamagami somemonoten Official Website

Kokonoen

This is a long-established tea shop that handles everything from cultivation to manufacturing and sales of Murakami tea, a Murakami specialty. Valuable folding screens and folk implements befitting an old family home are on display. Matcha and Japanese sweets are also served at the Machiya Cafe Kuheian attached to the shop.

Kokonoen Official Website

Sennenzake Kikkawa

This is a long-established store that handles salmon products such as "Shiobikizake" and "Sake no sakabitashi". At the back of the living room, where folding screens and folk tools are on display, about 1,000 salted salmon are hung, allowing you to enjoy the mysterious combination of art and salmon.

Sennenzake Kikkawa Official Website

Sousendo

This is a long-established Japanese sweets store that has been in business since the Edo period. In the tea room at the back of the store, folding screens and painted plates are on display. The store is lined with seasonal top-quality fresh confections, yokan, monaka, and other classic Japanese sweets, all of which are recommended as souvenirs.

"Sousendo" introduction page

Masuda Jinbei Liquor Store

This is a long-established liquor store founded in 1760 during the mid-Edo period. In the living room, which is open to the public, cherished folding screens, as well as masterpieces of Murakami woodcarving and painted plates, are on display, pleasing the eyes of visitors. Recommended souvenirs include local sake such as "Shimeharitsuru" and "Taiyozakari."

Masuda Jinbei Liquor Store Official Website

Other events during the period

Murakami Donburi Gassen 2024 Spring/Summer Edition (until September 30th)
At 27 participating restaurants in Murakami City, you can enjoy special rice bowls made with ingredients typical of Murakami, such as Murakami beef and salmon.
https://murakami-donburi.wixsite.com/donburi-gassen
*The 2024 Autumn/Winter edition is scheduled to start on Tuesday, October 1st.

[September] Antique Market at Enma-do Temple (September 22nd)
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/16209

The 23rd Murakami Evening Bamboo Lantern Festival (October 12th and 13th)
Approximately 20,000 bamboo lanterns will be lined up and lit along the historic Kurobei Street, and there will be Japanese drum and musical instrument performances.
https://taketourou.com/

For more information on other events, click here

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) → 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.

Click here for information about the Senami Onsen direct liner

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

Click here for information on transportation to Murakami City

How to get around Murakami city

From JR Murakami Station to the Kyu-choninmachi area, where old streetscapes remain, it is about 2km away, and it takes about 20 minutes on foot, making it a good distance for a stroll. Other transportation options include taxis, circular buses, and rental bicycles.

Click here for transportation within Murakami City

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.

For more information on Murakami City's specialty products (food), click here

For more information on Murakami City's specialty products (crafts), click here

Murakami City's Climate and Clothing

The weather in Murakame, Niigata Prefecture in September is similar to other parts of Japan, with the summer heat continuing. It can get chilly in the mornings and evenings, so it's a good idea to bring a thin jacket and a scarf. In October, depending on the weather, it can be cold even during the day. It's a good idea to bring a windbreaker or similar item.