Salmon & Samurai
A historic castle town in northern Niigata, Murakami is renowned for its deep-rooted salmon culture and well-preserved Edo-period heritage. At Iyoboya Kaikan, Japan’s first salmon museum, visitors can explore the life cycle of salmon and observe them swimming upstream through underwater viewing windows during the autumn migration. Nearby, the Wakabayashi Family Residence offers a glimpse into samurai life, featuring a thatched-roof house with traditional architecture and a hearth room. The Murakami History and Culture Museum showcases the city's rich traditions, including its famous festival floats. Strolling through Murakami’s old town reveals black-lacquered fences, historic merchant houses, and shops specializing in local crafts and tea.
