Murakami

A town of salmon, sake, and human warmth. That’s Murakami. As a salmon-loving town, there are many shops producing and selling a variety of sea foods. The town is located in the northern part of Niigata Prefecture, and has long been known as a big producer of sake. Ihara Saikaku, a famous writer in the Edo Period, wrote an episode about Murakami and sake in his popular story “Koshoku Ichidai Onna.” One of the traditional delicacies is “Sake no sakebitashi,” or “salmon soaked in sake,” which combines the two biggest local specialties, sake and salmon. The best season to taste it is early summer. People in Murakami are known as festival lovers. The three big festivals “Murakami Taisai,” “Senami Taisai,” and “Iwafune Taisai” are the most exciting ones of all. Along the 50 km long coastline are more than 10 bathing beaches, crowded with people during summer. Murakami tea and Murakami beef are also recommended.