🗺️ Murakami, Niigata Prefecture村上

Murakami City is located at the northernmost tip of Niigata Prefecture, facing the Sea of Japan. It prospered as a castle town of the Murakami Domain, and the preserved old streets of the samurai district and merchants tell the story of its former glory. Anzenn Alley, exuding the charm of a castle town, is a narrow path with black walls, also known as "Kurobai-dori." Nearby, there are temples designated as important cultural properties, allowing visitors to feel the history and atmosphere. Next to the city, the Sanmune River, famous for its salmon swimming upstream, flows through the area. This city of salmon fishing has been an important source of income for the Murakami Domain since the Edo period. The salmon processing and sales shop "Kikkawa (きっかわ)" is a town house-style building designated as a nationally registered cultural property, where visitors can see around a thousand salmon hanging from the beams of the ceiling. Every year from January to March, a traditional event called "Castle Town Murakami Machiya Doll Parade" is held in the old town. During this event, the interiors of the town houses are opened for viewing, showcasing the hina dolls that have been passed down through generations. This provides a rare opportunity to see inside the Murakami town houses that are usually not open to the public.

Take a stroll along Anzen Alley, which retains the charm of the Edo period. In addition to salmon, Murakami beef is also very famous. There is also a delicious sake called "Shimeharitsuru." This area has been cultivating tea trees since the Edo period, allowing you to taste the richly aromatic Murakami tea.