A typical autumnal event in Murakami! Urai and Tenkara Fishing along the Miomotegawa River [Murakami City, Niigata Prefecture

  • Niigata
  • Experience Gifu
Ulai of Miomotegawa River

Murakami City in Niigata Prefecture has loved, protected, and nurtured salmon.

The history of salmon in Murakami is long, and records show that during the Heian period (794-1185), salmon was offered to the aristocrats of the Kyoto dynasty in the distant past. Over its long history, Murakami has developed a unique salmon culture. Murakami's rich culture has been nurtured by salmon. It is no exaggeration to say so.

In the Miomotegawa River that runs through Murakami City, salmon come up to spawn in the fall. In order to catch the salmon, a fence called "Urai" is set up across the entire width of the river.

Have you ever heard of "Urai"?

The place to catch the salmon that come up the river is called the "catchment area.
This is called a "urai.

In addition to the traditional "IGURIAMI fishing," there is "URAI fishing," in which salmon run upstream in batches using "URAI" set up along the entire width of the river at its mouth and salmon are caught in "OTOSHI fences" set up on both sides of the river.

The salmon are caught in "otoshi fences" set up on both sides of the river.

Tenkara is the name of the fishing method.

Tenkara Fishing
In addition, there is a fishing method called tenkara fishing, which uses a tenkara, a hook made up of three keys in an anchor shape, to hook and catch the salmon as they come upstream. The salmon usually begin their return around the end of November, and people in Murakami get excited when they hear the cry of "the salmon have returned. Every household begins to make salted salmon.

Why don't you come and see the historic fishing of salmon that has been loved in Murakami since ancient times?
Murakami City Tourist Information General Website
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