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One of the main attractions of Murakami is its history and culture as Japan's “salmon town”（むらかみし）.
Salmon has been the center of life in Murakami since ancient times, and a food culture that takes full advantage of salmon has developed. From the station platforms to the station square to the streets and alleys, you can see salmon hanging everywhere.
Located on the Japan Sea side of Honshu Island, Niigata Prefecture is part of the central region of Japan and is connected to Tokyo by air, Shinkansen and highway, making it an ideal place to experience local culture in depth, in addition to the traditional Japanese tourist hot spots. Murakami, at the northernmost tip of Niigata Prefecture, is a charming town that blends beautiful nature with rich history. Located about three hours from Tokyo, it is easily accessible by public transportation. You can take the Joetsu Shinkansen from JR Tokyo Station to Niigata Station in about two hours, and then transfer to the JR Limited Express Inaho in about an hour to Murakami Station.
Murakami City flourished in the Edo period with Murakami Castle as its center, and the old townhouses and streets from that period are still preserved today. This town, full of nature and history, is a valuable place to enjoy the original Japanese landscape. The production of rice and tea flourished, leading many merchants to settle here. The merchants' houses have been preserved as townhouses, and you can still enjoy the old townscape. In addition, the town has a long coastline, majestic mountains, beautiful rivers and idyllic landscapes, making it one of Japan's “original landscapes”.
The seafood and agricultural products from these abundant natural resources are part of the charm of Murakami City and are difficult to savor elsewhere. This town, facing the Sea of Japan and with the river running through it, is an area rich in natural resources, and the river gathers a lot of salmon. From the station platforms to the station square to the streets and alleys, you can see salmon hanging everywhere, making it a true “salmon town”.
🤗 01 Salmon hanging from the ceiling.
Salmon (さけ) has been the center of life in Murakami since ancient times, and a food culture centered on salmon has developed. It is recorded that as early as the Heian Period, salmon from Murakami was sent to the capital as tax tribute, which shows its long history. In the late Edo period, Murakami succeeded in artificially breeding salmon for the first time in the world, and Takeshiheiji Aoji, concerned about the return of salmon to their home rivers, restored the Tanegawa River, a tributary of the Mimenawa River, and established the Tanegawa System to protect the environment in which the salmon spawn. As a result of these efforts, the salmon in the Murakami market have survived to the present day, and the rich salmon ecosystem has been preserved.
Salmon culture is deeply rooted in Murakami's table, and more than 100 types of salmon dishes have been passed down from generation to generation as tradition. Dishes using whole salmon, such as salted salmon and salmon kamaboko, abound. The belly of the salmon is not cut in order to avoid damage to the belly, which is the traditional way of cooking in the region. All parts of the cut salmon are used, from the bones to the skin, the head to the gills, and nothing is wasted. Respect and gratitude for salmon are also expressed in the annual “Salmon Spirit Matsuri” and “Mizukami Matsuri,” which convey the special significance of salmon to the people of Murakami.
When you come to Murakami, you can observe the traditional fishing method of “Gyuji net fishing” on the river of the Mimomigawa River, and there is also a special salmon fishing event called “Kodo fishing” in Okawa. From late November every year, the salmon go upstream. “The salmon are back!” When people in the village shout “Salmon is back!”, they become very happy, and each family starts to make “Salt-guided salmon”. Salmon is an essential part of the end of the year for local people, and many families celebrate the New Year with homemade salmon. Salmon-dashi is served at the festival table. Salmon in Murakami is not only a part of the daily diet, but also an indispensable part of the day of celebration.
🤗 02 Visiting the long-established “千年鲑 吉川”
Can you believe it? There are more than 1,000 salmon hanging in Murakami Machiya! When I saw it for the first time, I was so impressed that I could hardly speak. “Yoshikawa, a typical local townhouse store with a history of 130 years, is a registered tangible cultural asset of Japan. Founded in 1626, the restaurant has passed down the salmon food culture passed down in Murakami from the Heian Period to the present day. Salmon is salted, dried and fermented in the natural northwesterly wind, and then made into “salted salmon” by accumulating fresh flavor. In this method, no food additives or chemical seasonings are used, and the original flavor of the salmon is emphasized. The processed salmon products of Yoshikawa, which are made using the traditional method, are loved by many tourists for their rustic and deep flavor.
Millennium Salmon Yoshikawa
Address: 1-20 Omachi, Murakami, Niigata Prefecture
Official website: www.murakamisake.com
In addition to Yoshikawa, which has a huge “salmon” signboard, its sister store, Izutoya, is also worth introducing. This building, which was once a Japanese “brigandage,” is famous as the inn where the mid-Edo haiku Matsuo Basho and his disciple, Sora, stayed for two nights on the Okunohosomichi Road, and it has been designated as a national tangible cultural asset. The store sells salt-induced salmon from Yoshikawa Salmon, a famous salmon store, as well as a variety of processed salmon products. It is recommended that you buy a portion of the salmon and pour it over a tea with a special broth to make a tea-cooked rice dish with salted salmon. Many people who have been there say that the flavor is unforgettable.
Millennium Salmon Yoshikawa Izutsuya (千年鲑きっかわ井筒屋)
Address: 1-12 Komachi, Murakami, Niigata Prefecture
Official website: www.murakamisake.com/idutsuya
🤗 03 Exploring History at the Murakami Castle Ruins
The ruins of Murakami Castle are also a must-see for those who love history. Murakami Castle, which was built on the 135-meter-high Wakaniu Mountain, served as an important stronghold of the Honjo clan during the Warring States period, and the siege against Uesugi Kenshin took place in 1568, and it has since become the stage for a number of wars. After entering the Edo period, the Murakami, Hori, and Matsudaira clans remodeled the castle and built a castle town, and Murakami Castle was renovated as the central stronghold of the Kitakoshigo area.
Today, buildings such as the Tenshukaku and the castle gate no longer exist, but the earthen barricade and the vertical hori from the Warring States period and the stone walls constructed during the Edo period are still preserved, and they have historical value and have been designated as a National Historic Site. From the castle site, you can enjoy a breathtaking view of downtown Murakami, the Miomotegawa River and the Sea of Japan, as well as a distant view of Sado Island and Awashima Island on a clear day. The rich nature and historical romance surrounding the castle site brings a touch of serenity to visitors.
Murakami Castle
Address: Ninomachi, Murakami City, Niigata Prefecture
VR reproduction of Murakami Castle: https://vr-murakamicastle.jp/
🤗 04 Walking in Niigata's Garden Street
Murakami City is also part of the Niigata Garden Street, where you can enjoy beautiful Japanese gardens and historical buildings. The street is dotted with representative cultural properties of Niigata Prefecture, such as the old Saito Family Residence, Isukuno Ochaya, and Haononokan, and you can enjoy the history and beautiful gardens at each place. Along the “Niigata Garden Street” on the Murakami Market, traditional Japanese buildings and beautiful gardens blend together to create a fascinating landscape that attracts many visitors. In particular, the garden of the Isukuno Ochaya, which was built in the mid-17th century, is designated as a national scenic spot by Japan. The village is listed as a place where you can experience the depth of Japanese culture in a beautiful landscape that is in harmony with history and nature.
If you've grown tired of the popular sights, we recommend giving yourself two or three days to dive into Murakami, a charming town that combines salmon food culture, historical sights, and beautiful nature. Enjoying salmon in a rich natural environment, walking through history, and visiting traditional Japanese gardens is sure to be an unforgettable in-depth experience. How about spending some quiet time in a village market away from the hustle and bustle of the city? The ancient beauty and culture of the area will surely make you forget the worries of life and work, and usher in spiritual healing and transcendence.
Encounter the beauty of Niigata: teienkaido.niigata.jp
- Author:japan guides
- URL:https://japan-guides.com/article/culture-92
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