Murakami, Niigata

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

**Murakami**
**村上市**
Murakami's location in Niigata, Japan.
Location
Country	Japan
Region	Chūbu (Kōshin'etsu)
Prefecture	Niigata
Physical characteristics
Area	1,174.24 km² (453.38 sq mi)
Population (as of May 2008)
Total	68,262
Density	58.1 /km² (150 /sq mi)
Location	38°13′N, 139°29′E
Symbols
Flag
Murakami Government Office
Mayor	Hiramasa Ōtaki
Address	〒958-8501 1-1, Sannochō, Murakami-shi, Niigata-ken
Phone number	0254-53-2111
Official website: Murakami City

Murakami City, seen from the castle ruins on Oshiroyama.

Murakami (村上市, Murakami-shi^?) is a city located in northern Niigata, Japan.

On April 1, 2008, the city merged with the towns of Sanpoku and Arakawa and the villege of Asahi and Kamihayashi from Iwafune District.

As of 2005, before the merger, the former city had an estimated population of 30,649 and the density of 218.89 persons per km². The total area was 142.12 km².

After the merger, as of 2008, the new city has an estimated population of 68,262 and the density of 58.1 persons per km². The total area is 1,174.24 km².

The city was founded on March 31, 1954.

Murakami once thrived as a castle town under the Murakami clan. Even today, the downtown area shows the influence of its past existence of a hub of samurai and merchants.

Famous products of Murakami are tea (Murakami is the northernmost tea-growing spot in Japan), salmon, and Murakami beef. The city is also a tourist spot because of famous Senami Onsen and as a jumping off point to Awashima Island.

Murakami is connected to Niigata City in the south and Yamagata Prefecture in the north via the Uetsu Line (JR East) and National Route 7. Awashima is accessible by ferry from Iwafune Port.

The city has a sister relationship with Sabae in Fukui Prefecture.