[A summer delicacy!] Enjoy fresh, natural rock oysters from Murakami, Niigata Prefecture, right here in the region!

2026.06.26

In Murakami City, Niigata Prefecture, free diving for oysters is permitted from June 1st each year, and you can enjoy natural rock oysters until around mid-August. The large size, plump texture, and rich, creamy flavor are unique to rock oysters. Be sure to try them when you visit the area.

What are Murakami-produced natural rock oysters?

In Japan, there are mainly two types of oysters eaten: Pacific oysters, which are in season in winter, and rock oysters, which are in season in summer. The oysters harvested in the waters off Murakami City are rock oysters. Free diving for oysters opens every year on June 1st in the Sanpoku area and on July 1st in the Iwafune area, and they can usually be enjoyed until around mid-August.

The reason why Murakami-grown natural rock oysters are so delicious

The sea where Murakami's natural rock oysters are raised boasts high water clarity and is rich in nutrients essential for their growth. These nutrients flow down the rivers from the mountains, which rise right up to the sea, along with large amounts of snowmelt water. The deliciousness of Murakami's natural rock oysters is proof of the richness of Murakami City's natural environment (mountains, rivers, and sea).

Characteristics of natural rock oysters from Murakami

Murakami-grown natural rock oysters are large, with a firm, thick flesh that makes them very satisfying to eat. Furthermore, they have less of the unpleasant aftertaste often associated with shellfish, instead offering a rich, creamy flavor that fills your mouth.

"What do you put it on?" Various condiments

While it's common to eat rock oysters with a squeeze of lemon, in Murakami City they are often eaten with soy sauce, vinegar-based soy sauce, or ponzu sauce. Some places also serve them with condiments such as shiso leaves, momiji oroshi (grated daikon radish mixed with chili pepper), and julienned ginger. Whatever sauces and condiments are served, please enjoy them however you like.

Murakami Wild Rock Oysters

The Murakami City Tourism Association has produced a pamphlet titled "Murakami Wild Rock Oysters" (Japanese version only) that compiles a list of restaurants where you can eat or buy Murakami's natural rock oysters.

Murakami Wild Rock Oysters 2026

Top 5 Recommended Shops

The Murakami City tourism information website, "sake3.com," annually publishes articles introducing Murakami's natural rock oysters in its "Fresh and in Season!" section. From those articles, we'll introduce five recommended restaurants.
*Please note that older articles may contain outdated information, including changes in content and prices.

Murakami City Tourism Information Website "sake3.com"

Recommendation 1: Sasagawa Nagare Sightseeing Boat, Local Fish Restaurant Tenpiya

This restaurant is located next to the boarding point for the Sasagawa Nagare sightseeing boat, which tours the scenic Sasagawa Nagare area. You can enjoy fresh rock oysters from Yamakita at reasonable prices.

Sasagawa Nagare Sightseeing Cruise (External Link)

The season for natural rock oysters has arrived in 2021! (Published June 2021)

Recommendation #2: Sasagawa Nagare Roadside Station (Yuuhikaikan) Yuuhi Restaurant

Sasagawa Nagare Roadside Station (Yuuhi Kaikan) is a rare roadside station in Japan, located next to JR Kuwagawa Station. The Yuuhi Restaurant on the second floor serves natural rock oysters from Sanpoku during the summer season.

Sasagawa Nagare Roadside Station (Yuuhi Hall)

The season for natural rock oysters, a summer treat only available in the summer, has arrived! (Published June 2022)

Recommendation 3: Multi-packed fresh fish

Because the owner himself free-dives for fishing, the natural rock oysters served at the shop are freshly caught and reasonably priced. You can enjoy your meal on the wooden deck next to the shop while overlooking the Sea of ​​Japan.
*Please note that rock oysters may not be available depending on the weather and fishing conditions. Please check in advance by phone or other means.

Multi-purpose fresh fish

Recommendation 4: Echigo Murakami Uoya / Uoya Shiobikikan

This long-established fish shop also handles salmon products such as Murakami's specialty "salt-cured salmon" and "salmon marinated in sake." They offer exceptionally fresh rock oysters, carefully selected by the shop's staff.
*Rock oysters are served at Uoya Shiohikikan. On Uoya Shiohikikan's regular closing day (Wednesday), they are served at Echigo Murakami Uoya.
*Depending on the season and if the catch is poor, we may provide rock oysters from other prefectures.

Echigo Murakami Uoya (external link)

2023 Summer ☀ Murakami-grown natural rock oysters, a summer feast (released July 2023)

Recommendation #5: Iwafune Port Direct Sales Store

This shop is directly managed by Iwafune Fishing Port and sells fresh seafood, has a restaurant, and sells locally grown vegetables. They offer natural Iwafune oysters from early July every year.

Iwafune Port Direct Sales Outlet (External Link)

Iwafune Port Direct Sales Store: Today's Top Pick! (Published July 2016)

How to get to Murakami City, Niigata Prefecture

If you are going by plane

Direct flights to Niigata Airport are available from major airports in Japan.
● Hokkaido (New Chitose/Okadama) → Niigata Airport…approx. 75-100 minutes ● Nagoya (Komaki/Chubu International) → Niigata Airport…approx. 55-75 minutes
●Osaka (Itami) → Niigata Airport…approx. 65 minutes ●Fukuoka → Niigata Airport…approx. 90 minutes
*Please take the train (Shinkansen + Limited Express Inaho) from Tokyo.

Please take the limousine bus (approximately 25 minutes) from Niigata Airport to JR Niigata Station.
There is also the "Senami Onsen Direct Liner" (reservations required) which connects Niigata Airport to Murakami and Senami Onsen.

Senami Onsen Direct Liner

If you go by train

Please use the Shinkansen (bullet train) to travel from major Japanese cities to Niigata Prefecture (Niigata City).
●Tokyo Station → (Joetsu Shinkansen) → Niigata Station…Approximately 2 hours ●Shin-Osaka Station → (Tokaido Shinkansen) → Tokyo Station → (Joetsu Shinkansen) → Niigata Station…Approximately 4 hours 30 minutes

Please use the Uetsu Main Line to travel from Niigata City to Murakami City.
●Niigata Station → (Uetsu Main Line) → Murakami Station … [Limited Express Inaho] approx. 1 hour, [Local train] approx. 1 hour 30 minutes

Transportation to Murakami City

Transportation within Murakami City

It's about 2km from JR Murakami Station to "Echigo Murakami Machiya-dori," a street with many tourist attractions, making it a perfect distance for a stroll, taking about 30 minutes on foot. Other transportation options include taxis and rental bicycles.

Transportation within Murakami City

Echigo Murakami Machiya Street