[About 3 hours from Tokyo by Shinkansen and Limited Express] Tour Murakami City, Niigata Prefecture, and admire traditional folding screens in autumn

2026.08.25

Murakami City, Niigata Prefecture, holds an event called the "Castle Town Murakami Machiya Byobu Festival" every year from September 15 to October 15. Come and enjoy the autumn in Murakami City, viewing the folding screens set up to entertain guests and beautiful folk implements.

• Table of Contents
• What is the "Castle Town Murakami Machiya Byobu Festival"?
• Recommended participating stores
• Other events during the period
• How to get to Murakami City, Niigata Prefecture
• Murakami City souvenirs
• Murakami City's Climate and Clothing

What is the "Castle Town Murakami Machiya Byobu Festival"?

The Castle Town Murakami Machiya Byobu Festival is a popular autumn event in Murakami City, Niigata Prefecture. The annual Murakami Festival (held every July 7th) of Senami Haguro Shrine was once known as the Byobu Festival, as each household erected a folding screen to welcome visitors. While fewer homes erect folding screens on festival day these days, the tradition of folding screens continues to this day in Murakami.

The "Castle Town Murakami Machiya Folding Screen Festival" will be held in the former townspeople's district, where many machiya (Murakami's traditional wooden houses and shops) remain, and will feature free exhibitions of folding screens and folk implements treasured by the people who live in the machiya. While admiring the precious folding screens, you can tour the inside of the machiya, which are an integral part of daily life, stroll through the historic alleys of Murakami, and enjoy heartwarming interactions with the local residents.

The 26th Murakami Castle Town Machiya Folding Screen Festival

*Please note that the event content may be changed or canceled due to various circumstances.

Event period: September 15th (Tue) - October 15th (Thu), 2026 *Holidays vary depending on participating store.
Hours : 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM *Opening hours vary depending on the participating store.
Venue: Murakami City, Niigata Prefecture - former town area *Mainly around JR Murakami Station to Murakami City Hall
Admission: Free
Organizer: Murakami Machiya Merchants Association
Note: This event is being held thanks to the generosity of the participating shops. Please observe proper etiquette while visiting.

For inquiries, please contact the Murakami Station Tourist Information Center "Murakami Tabinavikan"
TEL 0254-53-2258 (9:00-17:00)

Click here for details on the "26th Murakami Castle Town Machiya Folding Screen Festival"

Recommended participating stores

*Please note that participating stores may cancel their participation for unforeseen reasons.

Machiya Gallery Yamakichi

This gallery, housed in an old townhouse, displays and sells works by local artists and traditional craftsmen. During the event, antique items such as folding screens and Murakami woodcarvings with lacquerware will also be on display in the living room area.

"Machiya Gallery Yamakichi" introduction page

Yamagami Dyeing Shop

This long-established dyeing shop was founded during the Kanbun era (1661-73) in the Edo period. The shop is also popular for its "Northern Limit Tea Dyeing Experience" (fee required/reservations required one week in advance), which uses Murakami tea as the dye. Antique items such as folding screens and Murakami woodcarvings made of lacquerware are on display in the tea room of the townhouse, which is open to the public.

Yamagami Dyeing Shop Official Website

Kokonoen

This long-established tea shop is involved in everything from growing to manufacturing and selling Murakami tea, a Murakami specialty. Valuable folding screens and folk implements befitting an old family home are on display. Matcha and Japanese sweets are also served at the Machiya Cafe Kuhei-an inside the shop.

Kokonoe Garden Official Website

Sennenzake Kikkawa

This is a long-established store that handles processed salmon products such as "salted salmon" and "salted salmon." At the back of the living room, where folding screens and folk implements are on display, there are about 1,000 salted salmon hanging from the ceiling, creating a unique combination of art and salmon.

Sennenzake Kikkawa Official Website

Sousendo

This is a long-established Japanese confectionery shop that has been in business since the Edo period. In the living room at the back of the store, folding screens and painted plates are on display. The shop is lined with seasonal high-quality confections, as well as classic Japanese sweets such as yokan and monaka, making them a great souvenir.

"Sousendo" introduction page

Masuda Jinbei Liquor Store

This is a long-established liquor store founded in 1760 (the 10th year of the Horeki era) during the mid-Edo period. The open-to-the-public living room is decorated with treasured folding screens, as well as masterpieces of Murakami woodcarving and painted lacquerware, delighting the eyes of visitors. We also recommend local sakes such as "Shimeharitsuru" and "Taiyomori" as souvenirs.

Masuda Jinbei Liquor Store Official Website

Other events during the period

Murakami Donburi Battle 2026 Spring/Summer Edition (until September 30th)
At 25 participating restaurants in Murakami City, you can enjoy special rice bowls featuring local Murakami ingredients such as "Murakami beef" and "salmon." *The Autumn/Winter 2026 edition is scheduled to start on October 1st (Thursday).

[Official] Murakami Donburi Battle

[September] Antique Market at Jūrinji Enma-dō (9/27)
Antique folk art, vintage textiles, tableware, and jewelry line the "Echigo Murakami Machiya Street." Enjoy the unique encounters that await you each time.

Antique Market at Enma-do Temple in Jurinji Temple [September]

[Final Episode] The 25th Murakami Evening Bamboo Lantern Festival (October 10th & 11th)
Approximately 20,000 bamboo lanterns will be lined up and lit along the historic "Kurobei Street," and there will be Japanese drum performances and musical instrument performances. This event, which has been held for a quarter of a century, will be ending after its 25th edition. Please come and join us.

[Official] Murakami Evening Bamboo Lantern Festival

Iinekka Murakami 2026 (10/11)
This is a major event in Murakami City, organized by the Murakami Chamber of Commerce and Industry Youth Division. Held at the former Jusco site in front of JR Murakami Station, it will feature a wide variety of activities including food, hands-on experiences, and a special stage.

[Official] Iinekka Murakami

For more information on other events, click here

How to get to Murakami City, Niigata Prefecture

By plane

Direct flights to Niigata Airport are available from major airports in Japan.
● Osaka (Itami) → Niigata Airport…approx. 65 minutes ● Nagoya (Komaki/Chubu International) → Niigata Airport…approx. 55-75 minutes ● Hokkaido (New Chitose/Okadama) → Niigata Airport…approx. 85-105 minutes
● Fukuoka (Fukuoka) → Niigata Airport …Approximately 90 minutes

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

Click here for information about the Senami Onsen Direct Liner

By train

Please take the Shinkansen from major cities in Japan to Niigata Prefecture (Niigata City).
● Tokyo Station → (Joetsu Shinkansen) → Niigata Station ... approximately 2 hours ● Shin-Osaka Station → (Tokaido Shinkansen) → Tokyo Station → (Joetsu Shinkansen) → Niigata Prefecture ... approximately 4 hours and 30 minutes

Please take the Uetsu Main Line 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

For information on transportation to Murakami City, click here.

How to get around Murakami City

The old town area, where old streetscapes remain, is about 2km from JR Murakami Station, and takes about 20 minutes on foot, making it just the right distance for a stroll. Other transportation options include taxis, circular buses, and rental bicycles.

For information on transportation within Murakami City, click here

Murakami City souvenirs

Among souvenirs from Murakami City, processed salmon products are especially popular. The city also produces sake such as "Shimeharitsuru" and "Taiyomori." Murakami tea, which has little astringency, is recommended for those who are not used to drinking green tea. As for crafts, Murakami wood-carved lacquer chopsticks and accessories are affordable and popular among women.

For more information on Murakami City's specialty products (food), click here

For more information on Murakami City's specialty products (crafts), click here

Murakami City's Climate and Clothing

The weather in Murakami, Niigata Prefecture in September is typically the same as in other parts of Japan, with the summer heat continuing. It can get chilly in the mornings and evenings, so it's a good idea to bring a light jacket and a scarf. In October, depending on the weather, it can get cold even during the day. It's a good idea to bring a windbreaker or similar.