Murakami, Coastal city in Niigata Prefecture, Japan
Murakami is a town on the Sea of Japan in northern Niigata Prefecture, spreading across a wide area between the coastline and forested hills. The town center preserves a district of old wooden houses, while several beaches and fishing ports line the bay.
In the 17th century, a castle town emerged here under the rule of local samurai clans who governed the area until the Meiji Restoration. The castle itself was dismantled in the 19th century, but the street layout and many merchant houses remained.
In the old town, households still hang dried salmon from their ceilings during spring, a tradition visitors can see through the windows of living rooms. The tea culture appears in small shops where families sell home-grown green tea and invite guests to taste.
The train station sits about a 15-minute walk from the historic center, and bicycle rental is available near the station. Most shops and restaurants close early in the evening, so visiting in the morning or afternoon works best.
On certain spring days, residents open their homes to show the hanging salmon and how this food is prepared. The tea plantations here grow near the northern limit where the plant still thrives, producing a mild, slightly sweet flavor.
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