Murayama Station (村山駅)
Station Type: Train station
Murayama Station on Japan’s Yamagata Shinkansen Line is located in Murayama City, Yamagata Prefecture. Murayama City is famous for producing one of Japan’s leading brands of rice, “Tsuyahime,” as well as fruits and confectioneries. The area around the station is also rich in culture and traditions, as evidenced by the “Murayama Grand Performance” festival, one of the three most bizarre festivals in Japan.
Within walking distance from the station are the Murayama City Hall, commercial facilities, restaurants, and hotels, providing a convenient environment for tourists. There is also a car rental store in front of the station, allowing visitors to explore the surrounding sightseeing spots by car.
Murayama City has many sightseeing spots where visitors can experience nature and history. Chokaisan and other mountains are spread out in Murayama City, and visitors can enjoy walking and hiking in the rich natural environment. Also, about a 20-minute drive from the station is a historical building called “Yushukan,” which exhibits buildings and crafts from the Edo period. Furthermore, about a 30-minute drive from the station is a vast park called “Iris Park” where various types of irises are in full bloom.
Another famous sightseeing spot in Murayama City is a festival called the “Murayama Grand Performance. This festival has a history of more than 400 years and is characterized by a powerful performance in which dancers dance continuously to the sounds of drums and flutes. The festival is held every August and attracts many tourists.
Murayama City has many attractive sightseeing spots where visitors can experience traditional Japanese culture, history, and nature. You can easily access them by car or bus from Murayama Station on the Shinkansen bullet train line, so why not visit them?
Restaurants, Foods
Some restaurants and food shops around the station.
Aitei Soba noodle shop (愛亭)
Restaurant Type: Soba noodle shop
Madakoecha (まだこえちゃ)
Restaurant Type: Izakaya restaurant
Red paper lantern Takechan (赤ちょうちんたけちゃん)
Restaurant Type: Izakaya restaurant
Tourist area
Some tourist area – the best views, museums and parks – around the station.
Mogami Tokunai Memorial Hall (最上徳内記念館)
Tourist Area Type: Museum
Mogami Tokunai Memorial Museum is a museum located in Murayama City, Yamagata Prefecture.
It is a memorial museum for Mogami Tokunai (1755 – 1836), a northern explorer from Murayama City, and exhibits his books, surveying instruments, maps of the north, and a marker he erected on Etorofu Island. There is also an Ainu pavilion on the premises. The Ainu House was built to commemorate Tokunai Mogami, who interacted with the Ainu people during his expeditions to the north. The museum exhibits the daily utensils of the Ainu people.
Higashizawa Rose Garden (東沢バラ公園)
Tourist Area Type: Botanical garden
Higashizawa Rose Park is a botanical garden located in Murayama City, Yamagata Prefecture.
In 1956, a mountain area on the east side of the park was created. Approximately 20,000 roses of 700 varieties were planted there. In October 2001, the park was recognized by the Ministry of the Environment as one of the 100 best rose gardens in Japan. It is the only rose garden in Japan to receive this recognition. Representative roses include “Murayama,” an original rose of Murayama City, “Peace,” a symbol of peace, and “Violet. The best time to view the roses is from early June to late September. A rose festival is held every year during the peak season.
Boat trip along the Mogamigawa River, one of the three most difficult stretches of river in Japan (最上川三難所舟くだり)
Tourist Area Type: Tourist attraction
The boatman’s interesting stories and songs will intoxicate you as you cruise down the river on his boat.
The Mogami River runs through Yamagata Prefecture without straddling other prefectures. It is said that boat transport began in the Heian period (794-1185), and developed magnificently during the Edo period (1603-1868), when Mogami Yoshimitsu, lord of Yamagata Castle, accomplished extensive excavation and maintenance of the river. During the prosperous era of the Mogamigawa River boat transportation, all three of the most dreaded spots by boatmen were located in Murayama City. The three most feared by boatmen during the era of the Mogami River boat traffic are all located in Murayama City: Godate, Mikase, and Hayabusa, which are mentioned in the Mogami River Boat Song. Today, the boat cruise is loved by many as a thrilling 12-km, 50-minute boat ride. The boarding area and landing area are different, but after the boat ride, visitors can return to the boarding area by free shuttle bus.
The three most difficult points on the Mogami River
Go-dot: Rocks protrude from the riverbed like a row of go stones.
Mikase: Three layers of narrow reefs form the river bottom.
Hayabusa: The reefs cover the entire river bottom and make the river swift.
Road Station Murayama (道の駅 むらやま)
Tourist Area Type: Toll road rest stop
Michi no Eki Murayama (Road Station Murayama) is a road station on National Route 13 in Murayama City, Yamagata Prefecture.
The facility is located on the downhill (northbound) side of the two-lane road with a median strip. Parking is provided for both the upper and lower lines, and a pedestrian bridge connects the store to the upper line parking lot.
Hotels
There are various hotels around the station.
Murayama West Entrance Hotel (村山西口ホテル)
Higashine Grand Hotel (東根グランドホテル(山形県/東根温泉))
Azumaya (あづまや)
Convenience Stores, Grocery Stores
Stores for foods, drinks and others.
Lawson Murayama Station West (ローソン 村山駅西口店)
Tourist Information Center
Tourist information centers inside/around the station.
Murayama city Tourism and Products Association (一般社団法人村山市観光物産協会)
Have a nice visit !
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